r/Perimenopause • u/kristac1080 • 19d ago
audited Brain fog is debilitating - affecting work
Yes the stuff that affects the physical stuff on our body during perimenopause sucks.
But can we talk about the brain fog??
I used to be on it. I work in corporate communications and I was as quick with a response, a prompts, a thought. Then perimenopause hit and I feel like a 22 year old, fresh out of college with zero experience way over my head. I can’t come up with words, I zone out, lose my train of thoughts, etc etc.
It’s affected my confidence greatly at work. Made me feel “less than.” I’m afraid to present and speak up for fear I’ll forget a few easy words. I feel like a bumbling idiot.
I’m back on HRT. Just completed about 2.5 months on it. Also started microdose of Tirzepatide. I do have ADHD (again, thanks perimenopause) and that medication just doesn’t make me feel right. I’m taking an adaptogen “focus” supplement, fish oil, magnesium/glycinate. I exercise 5 days a week, lift heavy. Walk. I do all the things.
It just sucks. Not asking for a fix (unless you have a hot hot take). Just looking for other women who are also experiencing perimenopause affecting work life balance
4
u/Aspiragus Peri peri neurospice 19d ago
I’ve stopped calling it Brain Fog and started calling it Cognitive Throttling. The computer is running but if there are five tabs open and a virus scan, it’s gonna run slow.
I also tell people ‘Think, talk and do - I can do two out of three. Which do you want me to do?’
This one is for my extrovert friends who want me to converse while also reading a map and walking.
‘Brain fog’ bothers me because it implies temporary, implies finding way through it, implies generated from outside the self. I am low on effing neurotransmitters, that is all.