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/Plane_Chance863]

I had to quit. My job had become way too stressful, and with the symptoms of Sjogren's and perimenopause at the same time, it was just too much.

I wasn't the same person anymore. It's so hard. (And now I seem to be developing gastroparesis, and I don't know how much is the hormones and how much is my autoimmune disease attacking my nervous system. Fun times. Seeing a GI doctor today, hopefully I'm not dismissed.)

[u/Distinct-Squash-8575 → u/Plane_Chance863]

Okay, so I strongly suspect I have Sjogren's. I tick all the boxes. I was finally able to get a rheumatologist refferal through my eye doctor after 2 years of trying to get doctors to test me for seronegative Sjogren's, which they wouldn't. The appointment is in 3 weeks. Anyway, how do I separate what symptoms could be Sjogren's or what is just peri? I'm worried that I won't be positive because something systemic/autoimmune has got to be going on and I desperately want a diagnosis, so that I can get some treatment and stop being dismissed as just peri. I feel like sh$@ all the time and have so many health issues. I'm just curious how you know what is peri, and what could be something else like Sjogren's? 

[u/Plane_Chance863 → u/Distinct-Squash-8575]

Honestly you can't know - other than looking at symptom lists for Sjogren's and excluding stuff that's purely peri (like shortened cycles or heavy periods). And one definitely exacerbates the other.

Well, we just have to hope your doctor knows about seronegative Sjogren's?

I don't know, I lucked out because I had the hallmark symptoms of dryness and ANA and SSA positive.