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Has Anyone Who Experiences Fibro Fog Been Diagnosed Later With Alzheimers?

A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
Franklin, WI

My Dad has an aggressive form of Alzheimers. He was just diagnosed in January 2020. I'm wondering if my Fibro fog could be the beginning of Alzheimers. My memory is getting increasingly worse.

December 19, 2020
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A MyFibroTeam Member

The only thing that helps me with energy is vitamin B shots every two weeks.

December 29, 2020
A MyFibroTeam Member

Alzheimer and fibro fog are two very different issue.
While fibromyalgia can be associated with decreased cognitive processing the reasons behind it:
Pain can distract from thinking straight.
"Depression, anxiety, insomnia and fatigue...constitute typical bodily and mental symptoms accompanying FMS pain.
Catastrophizing may increase pain severity due to the inability to divert attention away from pain, and by enhancing pain-related negative affect
Low levels of self-esteem were related to poorer attentional, memory and planning performance. The association between self-esteem and cognition may be mediated by motivational factors. Self-esteem is related to self-confidence and self-efficacy expectation."
Social isolation...
The list is long but the reasons behind decreased cognitive abilities are very different from Alzheimer cognitive problems. Also, Alzheimer is progressive but fibro fog can improve or disappear depending on other symptoms of fibromyalgia.
On the other hand: "Alzheimer's disease is thought to be caused by the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells. One of the proteins involved is called amyloid, deposits of which form plaques around brain cells. The other protein is called tau, deposits of which form tangles within brain cells." Symptoms of Alzheimers are also different from the cognitive impairment of fibromyalgia sufferers.
Cognitive Impairments in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Associations With Positive and Negative Affect, Alexithymia, Pain Catastrophizing and Self-Esteem (Galvez-Sanchez) 2018
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC58....
So based on the above information fibromyalgia related mental "fog" is not a precursor or predictor of Alzheimers.
As MicheleDelacruz mentioned Azlheimer's can be hereditary so you need to look into it. "Family history is not necessary for an individual to develop Alzheimer’s. However, research shows that those who have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer's are more likely to develop the disease than those who do not have a first-degree relative with Alzheimer’s. Those who have more than one first-degree relative with Alzheimer’s are at an even higher risk. When diseases like Alzheimer's and other dementias tend to run in families, either genetics (hereditary factors), environmental factors — or both — may play a role."
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is...
My really good friend recently passed away at age 80. He had slow progressing Alzheimer's. He also had 10 siblings, 5 of them was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

December 19, 2020
A MyFibroTeam Member

You should talk to your Dr. It is hereditary I believe. That doesn't run in my family but I think I have alzheimers or dementia or something. Hugs and Prayers

December 19, 2020
A MyFibroTeam Member

Unfortunately all I know is another medication that may help with fibromyalgia fog and also energy levels ... Adderrall

December 28, 2020
A MyFibroTeam Member

It could be one or the other or both. If it is not a financial problem to see your dr for testing it is worth it. Some of the dementia drugs are also prescribed for fibromyalgia also. Hope you can get answers. I personally do better knowing what Zi have. Then I can deal with it better. The best to you

December 19, 2020

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