Posted , 10 users are following.
Hi everyone, I was diagnosed in May & currently use Methotrexate, Plaquenil & prednisone. I'm now 69 years old & have had reasonably good health until now. I seem to be experiencing brain fog now & then, lack of concentration. Could this be due to medication or just old age. I'm beginning to be concerned. Any thoughts? Thank you.
0 likes, 22 replies
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Guest steelctygirl
Posted
Debra1954 steelctygirl
Posted
Hi, I was on Methotrexate several years back but came off it because I just didn't feel at all well on it. I'm 62 now and have been on just Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)since which I think better suited me...but..I have definitely noticed I am getting more forgetful( I hope it's not dementia kicking in!!) I have been through the menopause years back so done with that and can't put it down to hormonal changes. I don't think. I also find it quite difficult to concentrate and my mind just wanders off...even when my husband is talking to me. But maybe that's the norm when you've been married as long as I have, ha ha! I do try and keep a sense of humour. Not always easy though. I'm currently off my medication as have been told I'm in remission. Will be interesting to see how I am a few months down the line. As yet I haven't noticed any improvement.
Good luck.
EileenH steelctygirl
Posted
Both autoimmune disorders (RA is one) and prednisone can give rise to brain fog - can't comment on the other medications though.
As for lack of concentration - that does come a bit with age - although mine started at about 30 when I had small children and never really left! And as Debra says - being with my husband for 46 years doesn't always help with the paying attention
sonya78375 steelctygirl
Posted
Hiya, I was diagnosed just a month or two before you, at 39. I didn't get noticeable brain fog on prednisone, which I was on from end of March, but since starting Methotrexate in June I definitely have it. I am a teacher and can't let myself do any brain work for about 24 hours after taking MTX on the weekend. I think I might be doing it ok but then I just have to redo it because my brain is so compromised. It also makes me sleep for 13 hours after taking it, and makes my Type 1 diabetes tricky and dangerous to deal with it as I'm so far gone. However, I think I'm ok the rest of the week. I have started on Plaquenil 2 months ago and not noticed any difference. So, for me, it is definitely the Methotrexate. In fact, I was reading on the MTX packet last night that it causes "mild to moderate" impairment for driving! I think that means for the day after you take it only. I hope it's working well for you otherwise though? These horrible side effects are more bearable when it works on the disability aren't they.
steelctygirl sonya78375
Posted
Thanks for your reply Sonya, not exactly sure what's going on. Rheumatologist are hard to find. How do I know if they are giving me too much. I was started in 8 pills every Thursday & that's what I still take. Per my Dr. my blood work is fine? I take two Plaquenil per day & one 5 mg Predisone. I can feel the fog. I hate to quit everything & start over. The medicine has controlled the pain so I guess I'll suck it up for now. Thank you for your kind words.
Guest steelctygirl
Posted
WOW that's a high dose! I believe they try to start around 10 or less. When I got up to 20 mg a week I about lost it. I hate that stuff!!
steelctygirl Guest
Posted
I didn't realize it was a high dose. It's 20 mg every Thursday.When I was diagnosed I researched RA but was so happy when the pain went away after months, that I never researched the medications. I knew they were toxic but never thought about the dosage. Thank you for the info.
Guest steelctygirl
Posted
I was the same way when I first started out. I was so GRATEFUL that the starting doctor didn't put me on prednisone every day. I had no idea what it can do to you. Keep in mind some people have to have it but it should be the last resort in my mind. There are horror stories deluxe on withdrawal from prednisone. I have not experienced it nor do I want to. Currently my doctor gives me 10 pills of 50mg of pred a month. I take it only on flares and bad bad pain. I make sure I don't take it more than 3 days in a row. Do some googling on it and also ask for members here to chime in on their experiences with prednisone.
ihavenonickname steelctygirl
Posted
Your body is working hard to recover.
hugs
judith
ihavenonickname Guest
Posted
I am of the opinion that an endocrinologist should supervise steroid withdrawal especially when taken on a regular basis...the symptoms we express correlate directly with symptoms of Addison's Disease which is an adrenal gland hormone insufficiency.
I am quoting from Mayo Clinic, a highly esteemed institution in the USA:
quote
Extreme fatigue
Weight loss and decreased appetite
Darkening of your skin (hyperpigmentation)
Low blood pressure, even fainting
Salt craving
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting
Abdominal pain
Muscle or joint pains
Irritability
Depression
Body hair loss or sexual dysfunction in women
unquote
The further progression of Addison's leads to:
quote
Pain in your lower back, abdomen or legs
Severe vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration
Low blood pressure
Loss of consciousness
High potassium (hyperkalemia) and low sodium (hyponatremia)
unquote
Mayo clinic advises we need to consult our physician when:
quote
Darkening areas of skin (hyperpigmentation)
Severe fatigue
Unintentional weight loss
Gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain
Lightheadedness or fainting
Salt cravings
Muscle or joint pains
unquote
Sounds like they were listing the symptoms of steroid withdrawal, doesn't it...
I have a pill spiltter that opens up on a hinge to expose a V shaped tray with a catch basin. You set the pill within the V, tilt the splitter so that it snuggles the pill forward deep with the V and close the lid. The sharp razor within the lid easily slices even tiny presnisone in half.
I now use the burst method when steroids are necessary...high fast on, immediate decrease, off
example
30 mg day 1
25 mg day 2
20 mg day 3
15 mg day 4
10 mg day 5
5mgday 6
sonya78375 steelctygirl
Posted
I don't think 20 mg mtx is that high a dose. People are on 25 regularly too. I am on exactly the same meds as you steelctygirl , except I can't get below 6mg prednisone yet. I have tried a few times but it's the difference between being able to run, surf, work, sleep and not. My rheumatologist is willing to reduce the mtx because I am having bad hair loss from it, but the 13 hours sleep and 24 hour brain fuzz is preferable to disability for me, for now. I am hoping for better, and your doctor should be too. We are only relatively new with this disease so things are probably going to change for us. I gather, there will be ups and downs.
ihavenonickname sonya78375
Posted
To come off the steroid you must reduce by 10% each reduction...so your first reduction should be to 5.5 mg for two weeks or until you feel your body adjust. Then go to 5 mg and stick until you feel your adrenal glands picking up the slack.
It took me one year to get off of the last 5 mg. I purchased a pill splitter and could break a 5 mg into four pieces!
I have had JRA since I was 11 years old...54 years.
steelctygirl sonya78375
Posted
So I have been on Prednisone 5mg pretty much since April. To get off the prednisone I guess I'll need a pill cutter & start weaning slowly. 3/4 of pill for a week or two & so forth. Thanks for all the input
EileenH steelctygirl
Posted
steelctygirl EileenH
Posted