Managing Brain Fog and Memory Problems with PBC

When you look up the definition of brain fog on Merriam-Webster, it is defined as a typically temporary state marked by an inability to concentrate or think clearly. To me, however, that seems like such an understatement when you are caught right in the middle of it.

I tend to look at it as walking through a long dark tunnel with a candle in your hand and searching feverishly for a match to light the candle. Only to find the matches are wet and you see no way out.

Understanding primary biliary cholangitis and brain fog

I can’t even begin to explain to you how scary of a journey this has been for me. I was diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis, PBC, in 2021. At first my symptoms were mainly intense itching. It kept me awake at night and I just wanted to rip my skin off. Nothing I did would satisfy that deep internal itch. After the itch came the fatigue, and shortly after the brain fog began.

I thought the brain fog was caused by stress, extreme fatigue, and difficulty sleeping due to itching. It started out with small insignificant changes, like misplaced keys, putting milk in the cupboard and cereal boxes in the refrigerator. I just laughed it off as living life on autopilot. After all I was turning 50 soon; it just had to be age.

How brain fog affected my career and livelihood

In early December 2025, I was working to further my career as a Radiologic Technologist (RT) to advance to a Computed Technology Technologist, (CT). While in the middle of studying for my CT boards, I was struggling. I couldn’t remember passages I just read. I would read and re-read the same paragraphs over again, unable to retain the information.

During clinical exams I had to keep my notes next to me for every study. I would ask the other technologists questions I should have already known the answer to; after all I have been an RT for over 21 years. I would repeatedly ask for help asking the same questions. I could see those training me become more frustrated with me. Believe me, I was extremely frustrated in myself.

This was just not me. I was on the Dean's list in college. I was one of the top three students in class. I was smart. I got a 93 on my national boards for my radiography registry.

In a career I once loved, I felt completely lost. The instances became more frequent. I forgot how to do the simplest tasks. It started affecting my job and my livelihood. I was absolutely terrified I would lose my job and lose my radiologic technologist license, something I worked so hard to achieve.

Worsening symptoms and dangers to follow

I wasn’t getting better; the brain fog continued to get worse. I started to get confused while driving. I couldn’t figure out how to align the car up to the gas pump, I couldn’t locate the entrance to the parking garage at work, and I just couldn’t find my way home. I almost burned the house down three times while cooking.

This was becoming serious. The realization finally hit me that something was terribly wrong when I could no longer remember my husband’s name.

How my life has changed

Everyday tasks have become so complicated. I am no longer able to carry on a normal conversation. I struggle to find the right words. Putting thoughts together becomes so frustrating, and it makes me angry. The frustration and anger turned into anxiety and depression.

Something inside me changed. I no longer recognize this person I have become.

I had to take a medical leave from my job. I had to give up driving for fear not only being a danger to myself but to others on the roadway. I can no longer cook unsupervised. I have to keep a reminder dry-erase board on my refrigerator to remind me of daily tasks.

Coping with the unpredictability of brain fog

How do I cope with living with brain fog every day? It's hard because I don’t know when it is going to hit. The medication my hepatologist prescribed me only helps lessen the symptoms. There are no warning signs if today is going to be a good or bad day.

I have had to make some drastic changes in my life due to brain fog. The hardest part in this is letting others be your light to guide you out of this very dark tunnel and not being afraid to ask for help.