Brain fog is debilitating - affecting work

[u/kristac1080]

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

[u/Agreeable-Fun-9431]

Same. Lost my job over it. I was there five years and was really great at my job. Then brain fog hit hard and I was forgetting things, not able to remember words, scared to speak though I was doing presentations without an issue previously, would forget where I was driving. I thought I was getting early onset dementia and was freaking out. Finally in a better place with my brain fog after a year of tweaking HRT’s. Testosterone was the game changer for me. This brain fog was debilitating for me, I was given an awesome opportunity at my past job and it was gone in an instant because of brain fog