What is brain fog? Female issues and tx?

[layla]

2 questions...
I've read this term on MB's and I am not sure exactly what it is. I am experiencing forgetfullness often and wonder if it's HCV tx or just preoocupation this tx or if it's just me. I started about my 4th month in tx. Is it real? If so does it stay the same or does it get worse?

I will use this for another question too. Is that ok? I am not sure how to use this Mb entirely but using threads seems to be an issue. Hope I am doing this right. Please tell me if I am not.

Are there any studies on women on tx and menstruation? My gyn says I am definately not premenopausal yet but just since tx I have had problems. Nothing bad just problems. Any info anywhere on this?

[Eyedeas]

During tx I drove to the end of our driveway, looked both ways and just stopped.  I had absolutely no idea where I was going or why.  I sat there for five scary minutes.  That was about my worst momest of fog.

Kim

[layla]

I'm just west of Milwaukee. I'm in sales and cover 13 midwestern states and travel to all of them. I love it. I was just in Indiannapolis then Iowa City followed by Minneapolis. I got a flat out in  the countrside of Iowa. What a wait for a service truck lol. Previously I lived in Vermont for 30 years.

[minneapolis]

i live in a first ring suburb. i work for the city of minneapolis, though the location is outside the city,so i never even go into minneapolis even though it's 5 minutes away. and you? lynn

[layla]

Ha ha but so true! Are you in Minneapolis? A fine city. I travel there for business now and again and have a nephew and niece in college there.

[minneapolis]

i haven't had a period since january. just think of the money i am saving on the man-regulated price of tampax. i think there should be a big investigation into the gouging we are taking, having to fork up the big$$ for that stuff.  lynn

[layla]

Yes that is's exactly the kind of things that I'm experiencing! It's good to know I'm not imagining this. Congrats on finishing tx. It's nice to hear it actually ends. I hope you are SVR now and are feeling better.

[latrobe]

layla--im approaching three months post-treatment. brain fog was one of things i liked best about treatment--that and the long eyelashes. because i had brain fog during much of treatment, i don't clearly recall how sick i was. i still have a little impairment.
during treatment i would go out to get in the car, get my hand on the door , the keys in the other hand ready to go, and then i couldn't remeber where i was going and realized i couldnt quite recollect how to drive.  went back in the house and sooner or later i'd remember and be able to go.
don't worry about it over much   drinking water seemed to help clear things up a little. but sometimes you'll just have to wait it out.
best,
macky

[oldhippiechick67]

Galen  Mucho Kudos for being able to work while on this tx!  You are amazing...I am brain fog princess here!  Went to the car with the house phone in one hand and a bag of garbage in the other, purse was in the house.  oh my, the tales I could tell!  Mostly its not being able to remember what you went in to another room for, or getting out of the shower and finding you forgot to rinse out the conditioner, shaving one leg only, or forgetting you left the water running, stuff like that.  Just short-circuiting all kindsa ways.  I had these brain farts before tx but its worse now.  I know I read somewhere where it affects your menstrual cycle, but of course cant remember where. Lotsa luck to us all!!  I want my brain back!!

[Galen]

I was completely asymptomatic before tx but, esp for the first 4 or 5 months, I was pretty fogged at times.  I'm in week 41 now and that side has pretty much diminihed.

[layla]

Thanks to all of you for the responses. It's good to know this isn't all in my head. The forgetfullness is surely fustrating but I sure don't miss menstruating. That's a side I like! Is that a first? lol

[N.O.]

I have made it through treatment meds, ESLD, transplant and now active HCV again.  Yes, brain fog does clear when levels of toxins drop with improvement of HCV and general health.  But once I was HCV+ and till this day I feel that I am not as mentally clear have episodes of memory loss and it is one of the most frustrating sides to deal with and I need to question my thought processes and judgments very carefully.

I feel like a dummy at times. :)

Deb

[newgirl]

Brain Fog: walking directly into oncoming traffic because you got the traffic signals mixed up; leaving your stove on all day; losing your loved on (boyfriend) while shopping because you have no idea where he told you he was going five minutes ago; taking your ribaviron twice as you have no clue whether or not you already took it.

This is my least favorite side effect...I would love to know if my mental clarity will ever return!

[N.O.]

Hi,

Brain Fog is from a build up of toxins related to HCV which leads to mental confusion.  Add stress and other complications, symptoms and treatment meds with sides and we're in a fog bank. :)

The severity differes for each person same as HCV symptoms but can also be related to their stage and other health factors. It usually clears after flare ups and clearance of toxins.

For some it can range from mild to severe especially at ESLD and for a few progress to coma.

I have found the portable phone in the fridge and have lost my car in many parking lots.

[lizzee]

HI LAYLA,
YES, THERE IS BRAIN FOG WITH THIS TX, FOR SURE!
I KNOW MY BRAIN WAS LIKE A BUNCH OF "MOOSH" FOR AWHILE.
I HAD PROBLEMS TOO WITH WOMEN STUFF.
NO ONE REALLY EVER EXPLAINED THAT TO ME.
STRANGE BUT I AM NORMAL WITH THAT NOW. IF THEY WANT TO CALL THIS NORMAL.
EVERYONE IS REALLY DIFFERENT WHEN IT COMES TO THIS TX AND ITS SIDES.
BE WELL,
LIZE

[Tweetie2]

Check out this site.....www.hepcsurvivalguide.org/comboguide.htm
Might help.

[TESSTUBE]

Hi Layla.  Those are two good questions.  I think brain fog is a little bit of both.  Between the tx/the hepc and preoccupation with all aspects of treatment who wouldn't have a little brain fog?  

Good luck finding much info on female issues.  Interferons can affect your hormones but I'm only working with anecdotal info and I've had my own problems with Intron 2b (3x a week) as well as Pegasys.  The only good news I can relay is that your body should bounce back pretty quickly once you get off the interferon.

[Tweetie2]

Layla, the brain fog starts with hepc. I haven't started tx yet but after I was diagnosed, then I read about it w/hepc on the internet and knew that's what it was. I've heard it goea away after tx....might also have to do with age and we're just blaming it on the disease....LOL