Brain Fog

[Cordelia]

Did anybody have this problem when you had renal failure and while being on dialysis? Did the brain fog ever go away with a transplant? I'm curious to know

My memory is horrible and this past week I had a nurse tell me she remembered me from months ago (from this past October) and I really, really did not remember her. I used to always be pretty good remembering faces, names, no, but faces, yes. So this one nurse in my unit whom I had not seen for months, told me she remembered me, and everything I said to her. I went blank and speechless, unable to recall anything I said to her. It's a very, very scary feeling to meet someone who have not seen for months and suddenly they tell you everything you said and you can't remember a darned thing!!! It's so scary........and......sad!!

[Ang]

i was told by the medical professions years ago that memory loss is a direct cause of dialysis

forgot little things i had done days ago, conversations i had.

could be ageing too

gonna turn 45 in about 5 days

[RichardMEL]

I would say yes.

Prior to dialysis I counted on my memory for just about everything. I never had need of a diary or anything like that, and I could remember obscure things like 11 digit FF numbers or random birthdays, or stuff I needed to do etc.

While on D I did find that my memory became less reliable and I would forget little things - just like Ang says.

Post transplant yes, the head has cleared up a lot. I am not sure that my memory is(or ever will be) as good as it was, but I definitely feel much more confident about my abilities post-tx with all those toxins out of the system than I did when I was on D.

[lmunchkin]

I hear you Richard dear, but what would be my excuse?  I think with me its just plain ole age!  WARNING!!!!! DON'T DARE ASK ME MY AGE!   TeeeeeeHeeeee!

lmuunchkin   

[Cordelia]

LOL! 

It's such a huge relief to know/realize I'm not the only one! One thing I might add though is that I'm teased by family members for it, and that get on my nerve! 

I do try to keep a sense of humor about it, sometimes it's not always easy and makes me pretty frustrated!

[paris]

I am 9 months post transplant, and I still have memory issues.  And the more someone demands that of course, I do remember -- well, the more upset I can get.  It is better than pre transplant, so I think the toxins aren't the only problem --- age is a factor too.   My Mother died with Alzheimers, so there is the constant worry of that beginning.    ..............now, what were we talking about?   

[Cordelia]

You have a great sense of humor, Paris! LMAO! 

Would I say my memory is a little better than it was predialysis, yes, but I still say I have a pretty bad memory Even writing things down as a reminder, I still forget

[bette1]

I had brain fog while I was on dialysis.  After the transplant I had a strange sensation like I had not been paying attention for a few years.  It was really weird.

[Cordelia]

It's interesting you mentioned that, Bette1. I wondered if that might happen for me. I'm so curious to see how I will be post transplant.

[kitkatz]

My brain fog was a lot better when I did nocturnal dialysis.  It took a few weeks to see a difference.

[Cordelia]

Sounds like there is hope that it will get better! I have hope!

Some days I feel as though I am losing it! LOL!

[galvo]

I am at the stage where I generally remember the things I've forgotten.

[jbeany]

Yes to being worse on D and better on transplant.  Yes to still being worse thanks to being older, too.

I should have bought stock in Post-it Notes - I can't live without them.

[RichardMEL]

No matter how much D brain fog I got I always knew what was important to me - girls, girls, girls!!!!! 


 

[Cordelia]

LMAO!

[kamar55]

yes...major brain fog since dialysis. I always keep a pen & pad of paper next to me to write notes to remind me. Sometimes I'll remember something and if I don't write it down...Poof, it's gone. I try to keep my mind sharp by doing puzzles of all kinds, both online and off...have dozens of puzzle books for mental acuity and I think they do help..

[Cordelia]

I do that too, with the writing down of things to remember, always a pen and paper nearby for me too!

I should really do the puzzles too, I do like word games and do enjoy those, I should get into them again! Thx for the advice!

[RightSide]

Due to ESRD (and maybe HD as well), my brain fog got to the point that I was starting to forget how to drive a car!

I'm not making this up.

There I was, barreling down the left lane of Interstate 495, when I saw the sign that my exit was coming up in one more mile.  And suddenly, I forgot how to get my car off at the next exit--how and when to move into the right lane, how to decelerate, the whole thing.  And yet I've been driving for over 30 years.

After maybe 30 seconds, I remembered again, and I had just enough time to maneuver my car into the exit.

With a transplant, my memory and mental clarity have improved greatly--but they're still not quite as good as they were before my kidneys began to fail. 

I do crossword puzzles and math problems, to try to keep my brain sharp.

[Cordelia]

Oh my goodness!

[kamar55]

Due to ESRD (and maybe HD as well), my brain fog got to the point that I was starting to forget how to drive a car!

You just reminded me---brain fog was the major reason I had to stop driving.  I do miss the freedoms of just driving but not the car payments, insurance, repairs and esp. gas   

[onestronglittlelady]

I think I will print all these and take them to my Dialysis unit. They love to come talk to me during dialysis, then wonder why I have no idea what we talked about!

[Cordelia]

Kamar, I didn't drive for the first two months that I was on dialysis because of it.....not only that my balance was an issue, I walked like I was a drunk for the first few months! Did you give up the driving on your own or was it under doctor's advice not to drive?

LOL LMAO! onestronglittlelady! That is funny!

[kamar55]

Kamar, I didn't drive for the first two months that I was on dialysis because of it.....not only that my balance was an issue, I walked like I was a drunk for the first few months! Did you give up the driving on your own or was it under doctor's advice not to drive?

LOL LMAO! onestronglittlelady! That is funny!

At first I was so sick, I barely knew what a car was....Then the brain fog set in and I decided that I just couldn't drive any more. I got rid of my car so it wouldn't be a temptation for me when I shouldn't be driving. But every once in a while when the fog clears, I would love to get in a car and drive, drive, drive....

[Cordelia]

I'm so sorry 

[rsudock]

Have you seen me use the term "dialysis brain"? Yeah can't remember anything anymore...I have to stop and think "Hhhhmmmm what was I doing again?"


xo,
R