What’s Causing My Most Recent Brain Fog?

By Holly Harding

1 min read

Do you experience brain fog, memory loss, or aphasia? While these are all common migraine symptoms, it can be difficult to figure out if we are experiencing them due to a migraine attack, or whether or not they are due to side effects from the medications we take to manage the condition. Further, could they be appearing due to natural aging or is there a cognitive decline that can occur over time for those of us who live with migraine for years? In this video, Holly discusses the challenge related to parsing apart the cause of the symptoms.

We invite you to share your experiences with brain fog, memory loss, and aphasia in the comment section below. Are your symptoms worsening over time? We’d love to hear from you.

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KellyWright Member
I have been experiencing the same cognitive issues you are describing, Holly. Brain fog, memory loss, and aphasia. Just like you, I was wondering if it was getting older. I just turned 46. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense that these symptoms could be related to my migraines and/or my migraine medication. I have had the migraines 5 years but much more severe and intense in the past 2 years. The same amount of time I’ve been experiencing the neurological issues. This exact reason is why I sought out a migraine forum. And this is what I found first thing. Please keep posting about any new information you find or anything that helps. Thanks Holly and God bless you. 
1. KellyWright Member
 <inline-mention username="Melissa Arnold" user-id="3827796"/> Hi Melissa, thanks so much for responding and reaching out. I am on Imitrex oral. When I take it, I do feel weird, like dizzy or out of body experience (hard to explain). It usually works though, so I am thankful for that. The more I think about it, the issues with brain fog, memory, etc started when I started taking the Imitrex. As far as menstruation and menopause- before I went on Imitrex, I thought my migraines were menstrual migraines. I talked to my gynecologist and she put me on a birth control pill, with no hormone fluctuation, and I only stop for a “period” every 4 months. I haven’t had any bleeding since and it seems weird to me but she assured me this was normal? I don’t like to be on the birth control pills but I do think they help with the migraines. ? If you have any information about either of these topics, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks again so much. Kelly 
2. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="KellyWright" user-id="9769263"/> Hi again! So, Imitrex (sumatriptan) is one of the more common migraine meds. Dizziness and drowsiness are side effects, but I didn't see anything about disorientation or an "off" feeling. That said, anything is possible and it's definitely worth talking with your doctor about. Here's our info page about Imitrex: https://migraine.com/migraine-treatment/imitrex As for menstrual migraines and treatment with hormonal contraception, we have tons of articles and experiences from people in the community. Here's a link to our archives so you can take a look at your leisure. https://migraine.com/search?s=birth%20control Bleeding can take a while to resume once you stop birth control, so that may be why you're not seeing anything, but I'm not an expert. Hopefully it helps your migraine symptoms, though! Hope some of this info is useful for you. Have a good week! Melissa, team member
azreynolds Member
Same here. Yes, to all three issues. I hate the brain fog the most, although losing words or not being able to find the words is very annoying too. But since I'm approaching 70, I'm sure age plays a big part in this too. Hubby is having issues with memory too and he's 3 years younger so I don't feel too bad about my memory. Lol. To deal with memory issues, we have a lot of little tricks. We have learned that if we think of something, we must do it immediately or else it will fly out of our minds. We keep a list on the fridge to write down items that we use throughout the week because we know we won't remember when it comes time to go grocery shopping. We keep a shared wall calendar so we know where each other are everyday, and we have another calendar with the meals planned out every week because I won't remember what I was going to cook and then food gets wasted. It also allows me to look back through it when planning so I don't repeat the same recipes too often. I have a white board by my chest freezer listing all the food and leftovers inside, on which level, and what color basket each food is in because there's no way I'd ever remember what's inside. This also helps prevent wasted food and helps me in planning meals on that other calendar. And one thing we've promised each other...never....ever...start a sentence with, "Do you remember....?" 😁
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> Hi Annzie- thank you for chiming in on this. I shouldn't say I'm relieved to hear your husband is struggling with his memory- but I kind of am because it reminds me that this can all be part of normal aging. There can be a tendency in migraine to fear everything we experience is related to the condition because it can be so far-reaching. It's good to remember that we are also busy being human beings - doing normal things like aging along the way. Speaking of, I very much like your strategies for recalling ideas and thoughts. All helpful and good tips. Thank you for passing them along. And your last sentence is hilarious.🤣 Happy Sunday, my dear- Warmly - Holly (team member)
22yrChronicMigrainer Member
I'm 34 and have had migraines since I was 12. I haven't gotten to see a neurologist yet( I've been trying) so as far as medication goes I take excedrine migraine. My memory loss and aphasia have been getting worse along with my migraines the last 2 years. So I honestly believe the stress that migraines put on our brains have a huge impact on our memory and just overall thinking abilities.
1. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 <inline-mention username="22yrChronicMigrainer" user-id="3865977"/> Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Migraine can be debilitating, exhausting and frustrating to say the least. Please know we understand and are here for you! I sure hope you get to see a neurologist, or better yet a true expert, more on that later, sooner rather than later. Can you primary care doctor assist you at all? Before I talk about experts, I'd like to mention Excedrin Migraine. This over-the-counter medication can increase our risk of something called medication overuse headache, formerly called rebound. This cycle may occur if we take pain relievers and/or acute migraine medications, whether they are over-the-counter or prescription, more than 10 days a month. When we're in one of these cycles, our migraine attacks may be more difficult to treat and we can end up in a daily cycle of pain can be hard to break. I know we want the pain to go away, but in taking Excedrin too frequently we may end up in this cycle. Let me share our resources on this topic; <a href='https://migraine.com/headache-types/rebound-headaches' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/headache-types/rebound-headaches</a> <a href='https://migraine.com/headache-types/medication-overuse-rebound' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/headache-types/medication-overuse-rebound</a> I understand this may be scary and frustrating, but something that needs to be addressed by you and your doctor. There are ways to get out of this cycle. Now on to experts! General neurologists may be fine doctors but have a hard time being experts in one area because they treat so many conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and more. Many general neurologists who treat people with migraine and headache disease claim to be experts but that may not be 100% accurate. A true migraine/headache disease expert is board certified in headache medicine (not all neurologists have this additional certification) and treats migraine and headache all day, every day. Here is more information on why these doctors are beneficial and where to find them; 1) <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/really-find-headache-specialist' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/really-find-headache-specialist/</a> 2) <a href='https://migraine.com/living-migraine/change-thoughts-new-care' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/living-migraine/change-thoughts-new-care/</a> 3) <a href='https://headaches.org/resources/healthcare-provider-finder/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://headaches.org/resources/healthcare-provider-finder/</a> 4) <a href='https://migraine.com/living-migraine/how-to-find-a-neurologist-or-headache-specialist' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/living-migraine/how-to-find-a-neurologist-or-headache-specialist</a> 5) <a href='https://migraine.com/living-migraine/hiring-right-doctor' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/living-migraine/hiring-right-doctor</a> Brain fog, memory loss and aphasia can all be part of the migraine process. I experience these as well as do many of us with migraine disease. Have you seen our resources on these topics? If not let me share them with you here; <a href='https://migraine.com/search?s=aphasia' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/search?s=aphasia</a> https://migraine.com/search?s=memory%20loss I'm going to stop now so I don't totally overwhelm you! Will you let me know what you think after you have a chance to go over that information? I look forward to hearing from you and I'm sending you pain free wishes, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator (team member)
spupp Member
As a former physician, I agree with everything Nancy Harris Bonk has said. I would also like to stress the importance of getting seen by a physician sooner rather than later. The delay of appropriate treatment in my case (caused by my belief, with the agreement of my primary care physician and allergist, that my headaches were sinus related) resulted in chronic migraines that ended my career.
1. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 <inline-mention username="spupp" user-id="3891438"/> Thank you for your update. I'm sorry to hear you've doing doing well at the moment and sure hope you're able to get Botox asap. I understand how difficult it is when we're overdo for Botox, it's so frustrating. I started LDN about a year and a half ago with pretty good results for my autoimmune issues. I was hesitant but glad I gave it a go. I look forward to hearing your update. I hope things improve, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator (team member)
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="spupp" user-id="3891438"/> So sorry you had to cancel your Botox which has left you overdue. That is something I know many of us can relate to. I'm curious, how often do you get Botox? I ask because my sense is that the classic 12-week window that is imposed by the insurance industry frequently falls short of that which most people need. I hear many community members sharing that they feel Botox wearing off sometimes weeks before it is due to be injected. I've had Botox injections for over 20 years and eventually came to see that the 12 week window was insufficient. I worked with my doctor to have a prior authorization written so i could have the injections every 10-weeks instead. Still, I find even that insufficient and wish I could have them every 8 weeks. It's a key part of my prevention strategy so I really struggle for those last weeks. My doctor is often booked so I'm left waiting for these appointments closer to, and sometimes past the 12-week mark. During those times, I'm bedbound. Is Botox a key part of your treatment strategy as well? I hope you can get in to be seen for this appointment very soon. Also, we'd be most interested in hearing more about your experience with Naloxone for migraine. I've never heard of its use in this way- only as an opioid antagonist/blocker. Thanks for sharing your insights with us and I hope you'll feel better soon between that and the upcoming Botox appointment. Warmly - Holly (team member)
John Martin Member
A really valuable exploration of the cognitive effects that run with and sometimes alongside migraine, I have noted after a lifetime of migraine that without doubt my memory and ability to think (and reason) become impaired as the migraine builds (lots of tears too 🙃) and the same on the flip side as it begins to recede. I find this frustrating, particularly at work until forced to stop working, until I realised this is part of the gamut of migraine, and then it is having some tenderness towards myself when it is happening, not easy when in the throes of migraine but valuable nonetheless. There is definitely an added effect from nausea medication and I noted that I when I took an antihistamine this week it really did a number on my memory and ability to think the following day. The effect is real from medication and antihistamine in my experience and I was heartened to hear that Holly tells those close to her that it is likely that her memory will be impeded. Education for not only ourselves but for those who care for us is so important to avoid misunderstanding. Thank you Holly for writing, sharing and encouraging us to think through this part of migraine. I hope the tests you undertook provide some clarity for you. I wish you all some tenderness towards yourselves. As a side note, this is my first post for a couple of years from being away from this wonderful and needed site and I'm thrilled to see some community members and writers that I remember providing such needed and valuable insights from all of your lived experience. Take care everyone and thank you Holly John ✨
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="John Martin" user-id="9777033"/> Dearest John- We are so happy to welcome back your uniquely compassionate, insightful, and wise reflections. You have been greatly missed. I love the exchange between you and Cody above. Just wanted to add that your post was helpful in the way you outlined the comprehensive reach of migraine (including the way it can pull us about emotionally). The neurological symptoms plus the cognitive load of migraine lead to a heavy impact on our operating systems. Add to that the side effects of the medications we take to manage the aforementioned symptoms - and it's a wonder any of us are functioning at all. As you said, acknowledging this load indeed helps us give ourselves tenderness and grace as we move through life with migraine. Such an important point. Thank you, John. We look so forward to once again being blessed by your kind, wise, and valuable insights. Warmly - Holly (team member) 
2. John Martin Member
 <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> Hi Holly, Thank you for the warm welcome back to the much missed community. It's so important to us, isn't it, to have a place to share, encourage, to understand and to be understood. Thank you for helping me clarify my thinking (no easy task 🙃). I find it so hard when the brain clamps down and the thoughts turn not to words but a big blancmange in my head when migraine is working it's way through the system. To hear you and to read your articles and your way of engaging with and exploring migraine and supporting the community in a gentle, encouraging and erudite way that is unique, skilled and natural is needed - its vital, in fact, it helps me when my thinking and expression becomes occluded. Great job, Holly. Thank you for healing with words John ✨