Brain Fog

There are many symptoms that go along with my mitochondrial myopathy, but one that I find to be rarely discussed is brain fog and short term memory issues. It's one of the many reasons I can't work anymore at the job I used to do.

"The highest concentration of mitochondria are in the nervous system, brain system, and the spinal cord. For this reason, the most commonly experienced symptoms are of a low functioning brain or nervous system. This might present as brain fog, memory issues, poor concentration, mood swings, and sleep challenges."

Or even more cheerful news...

"The symptoms of mitochondrial myopathies include muscle weakness or exercise intolerance, heart failure or rhythm disturbances, dementia, movement disorders, stroke-like episodes, deafness, blindness, droopy eyelids, limited mobility of the eyes, vomiting, and seizures." (from NIH)

My migraines can also cause some memory issues, so I unfortunately get a double whammy. My memory becomes much worse as my body symptoms increase. This means if I'm battling an illness or even just having an asthma flair because of the weather, my brain becomes very "foggy." This is the perfect word because I do feel like I'm behind a fog. Like I'm a few drinks in (which is one of the reasons I don't drink alcohol).

My auditory memory is especially affected. Recall of recent things (working memory) is very challenging for me when I'm feeling this way (like right now. Thanks crappy air quality!) My family are all aware of this challenge for me and are sweet and patient. My grandmother suffers from severe dementia, so this is a very scary symptom for me.

Like all of my symptoms there seems to be very little that I can do about it. I take my supplements and push through regardless. Since it is an invisible symptom though it can be hard for me and the people who love me to remember and address. I can get quizzical looks of disbelief when I can't remember something very simple, even from my family. It's understandable. I'm young(ish) and "shouldn't be having challenges like this." But it is a part of my muscle disease and I have to remember to be kind to myself when it happens. That's something I still find challenging. 

Thank you to this girl on Instagram who talked openly about her memory problems with her Mitochondrial Disease today. It's always helpful for me to find others who have similar challenges.