Most fibromyalgia patients report having problems with memory and cognitive functioning
. The cognitive functioning difficulties FM patients must cope with include:
- Short-term memory loss
- Difficulty with concentration
- Inability to retain what is read
- Word-finding difficulty
- Inability to calculate numbers
- Slowed comprehension
- Impaired speech
- Inability to keep track of things
- Problems with reasoning
Fibromyalgia patients have coined the term "fibro fog" to describe their cognitive functioning problems. It's an accurate description because it feels as if your brain is in a thick fog, unable to "see" its surroundings.
For some tips to help you cope with and improve your cognitive functioning, read "Clearing the Fog: Coping with the Cognitive Dysfunction of Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome."