I’m 43 too and experiencing the same symptoms. I am fortunate that the only medication that I am taking is hydroxychloroquin. I’m struggling right now with brain fog. I have a full time stressful job and a 5 year old. I thought these episodes of forgetfulness were a result of fatigue and stress. Now I’m not so sure. It seems I have conversations that I forget almost immediately, I constantly have to mind map to get anything done and I’m really worried about the whole situation and effect on my daughter. I seem to be fine doing routine things, driving, ironing, walking, it’s more of the immediate short term things I’m struggling with. I had an MRI last year and was all clear of lesions etc.

My way of coping at the moment is if I am in a meeting, I will proactively pick up a marker and put everything on a flip chart and tell colleagues I’ll write the notes up. This helps me to remember. Once I get stuff into my longer term memory I seem to be ok.

I can forget appointments so easily, even if I have a reminder 5 minutes before. I set my phone reminders and put a note like ‘you need to leave the office right now to go to x’

I have a calendar for Home, I set the same reminders on my phone for my daughters activities and I take a photo of the calendar so when I take a break at work I tend to look at my phone, I set it as my wallpaper.

Now I understand this could be the lupus I’ll up the pressure on my specialist. I’m just trying to find ways to cope, I hope they help you. Good luck. X

Yes!! I live with brain fog almost everyday and I'm on no meds...good days and bad!

I’m on Hydroxychoroquine. My brain fog did not go away. Prior to my diagnosis I searched for relief from the daily brain fog. I have been off gluten for 6 years due to anallergy and even with giving it up I still continued to have the symptoms. I finally heard about a dietician that would test my blood for food allergies. Not only do I have gluten allergies, but I also have corn, beef, potatoes, etc. It took me awhile, but once I eliminated all the food from my diet my brain fog went away. When I do eat one of the foods from my list I have brain fog and fatigue the next day. It’s not an easy way to live, but I’d rather live without the brain fog. My insurance did not cover the dietician, but it was worth every penny.

Thank you Skj for your helpful tips! It is very frustrating to go through. Im good with the routine stuff too, the other things seem to escape my memory right away. Thank you for sharing!

Yes it's very common with Lupus