Some fibromyalgia sufferers have such severe short term memory problems that they fear they have Alzheimer's. A few good nights of sleep can make a difference. The first step is to talk to a doctor about aids to sleep. Muscle relaxers can alleviate muscle pains and spasms. Sleeping pills work short term. If the problem is severe ask about being tested for sleep apnea. Do whatever is necessary to get some decent sleep.
But there are many other aids that help alleviate the frustration of short term memory loss.
Steps to Overcoming Fibro-fog.
- Be disciplined and develop routines. Designate a place to keep easily mislaid items such as keys, and make certain to put them there even before the coat comes off and the groceries put away. Make a habit of always taking these oft mislaid items to their designated space when you are done with them, even if it means a few extra steps.
- Write things down. Keep a note pad on the refrigerator and write down items as they are used up. Put Post-it reminders on the coffee pot or computer screen where they cannot be missed. Find a calendar program or service to record upcoming appointments and holidays. Again - make it routine to record appointments as soon as they are made. Cell phones often have organizers that will even sound an alarm on appointment days and times.
- Carry a small tape recorder and use it. It's not always possible to write things down, but recording appointments as they are made will make it easy to record them on a calendar later. Sometimes fibro sufferers can't recall why they got up and walked from one room to the next - talking into the recorder when the impulse or need to move strikes will solve that mystery.
- Place items that need to be dealt with where they can't be avoided. Put those packages needing to be mailed in front of the door where they can't be missed. Need to pay bills first thing? Prop them against the coffee pot. Place reminders on the computer keyboard. Take items that need to be delivered out to the car and put them on the driver's seat so they aren't overlooked.
- Learn to laugh. Fibrofog is frustrating, but it can also be a source of humor. For instance, people with fibrofog can always watch a movie twice since they won't remember most of it the next day. They can get away with very few books for the same reason.
- Establish a bedtime routine that is soothing - perhaps a warm bath and a book. Stick to the routine so that the body learns that this is winding down time. Don't watch an action adventure or suspense film and expect to go straight to sleep - instead do things that relax you and do them consistently.
- . In general, get organized. Not in a strict, stuffy sense, but in a way that makes sense for you.
The Brain Works Fine
Rest assured, fibro affects only the short term memory. The intellect, and the ability to reason are still working fine. So the brain will continue to function as well as it ever had, in every other aspect of life. Share your problem with others. Explain, don't complain, and don't forget that humor helps.
It does take some discipline but with a little effort, short term memory problems can, if not exactly be cured, at least coped without too much frustration..
