Dealing with Brain Fog from ADHD & Fibromyalgia

The things that help my brain fog the most are getting enough sleep and drinking lots of water. I also use hella apps for reminding me of stuff and keeping track of stuff. You have to figure out which apps you like best and use those. It has taken me a while to get everything to work how I want it

I do have both. I put EVERYTHING into my phone with alarms and reminders. My husband likes to use our Amazon Echo Dots as reminders for thing. He works from home and like that better than his phone. I don’t work from home but I always have my phone on me. We use a monthly wall calendar that all appointments go on, as well as a weekly dry-erase calendar on the refrigerator that we update on the weekends. I build in an extra 10 minutes or so to every commute. Growing up, my mother was late for everything so in turn I was late for everything and I hated it. I would rather sit in my car in a parking lot for 10 minutes wait for something to start than walk in 2 minutes late. As for getting up in the morning, I have 3 alarms set on my phone and two on my fit bit which I wear to bed. They are spaced a couple minutes apart so even when I fall back asleep I don’t get a chance to get into a deep sleep before the next goes off. I also do 5 slow-motion blinks before I get up, which is supposed to help my vagus nerve start my day at a “normal” baseline. Once I can sit up, I immediately take a big drink of water. My dogs help too, our oldest doesn’t like it when I sleep in, she runs in and out of the room jumping on and off the bed if she finishes her breakfast and I’m not up.

Lately, I’ve been listening to ADHD podcasts— I have bipolar 2 but it’s super obvious I have ADHD too. Listening to Hacking Your ADHD podcast lately and I SO relate to this guy. It’s hard to know: is this the fibromyalgia, the CFS, perimenopause, depression, ADHD?… so many comorbidities. It makes even keeping lists hard. Or journaling! I have lists that have lists but a deep resistance that makes my whole system malfunction and debilitates me in nearly every way.

I’m not on anything right now. I have been in the past & it works, but causes headaches. I know there’s newer meds out now. I usually underestimate the time it takes to get ready. And I dread getting out of bed due to pain and/or fatigue.

Yes, I’ve been diagnosed with ADD and I have fibromyalgia.

You will need to find a reminder system that works for you, probably something digital. And across multiple platforms if need be. You should try to keep a journal of some type to figure out what makes you late. Is it because you don't prepare yourself/what you'll need in advance? Or because you can't do anything while you're waiting for the time you can leave but then don't notice when it's time to leave? Is it because you underestimate how long it actually takes you to get ready to go somewhere? Are you on ADHD medication? Do you want to be? It can help but you'll also need systems to help yourself. Support people, too. Follow ADHD content creators on social media - Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok. I've learned a lot from them over the past 18 months. Have you had your vitamin levels checked? If not, do so.

I need help with all of the above. I’m forgetful & constantly late. I also have trouble concentrating & finding words.

Yes. I have fibro and MCAS, and ADHD and ASD and in perimenopause so my brain is perpetually London. I'm on adhd meds to help somewhat but brain fog is a broad term. What do you need help with? Remembering to do things? Doing things without being overwhelmed by confusion?