Fibromyalgia and Cognitive Function

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."

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