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Brain fog and other symptoms, generally feeling rough

Posted , 8 users are following.

laura_19229
laura_19229

Hi

I am feeling pretty rough at the moment I have no energy to do anything and my brain isnt working properly. I feel reading through these blogs and other information on the internet that because my ferritin is only 426 that people dont see this as a cause for concern. On here I am left feeling that people try to out do each other with how high their ferritin levels are "mine was over 1000,2000 or 3000!!" etc when people are concerned with their lower levels; I dont see why its a competition, if you are ill you are ill, it all seems to be about the ferritin less concern about TS levels. I am hoping that the NHS dont just respond to ferritin levels too as my TS is high. On my first test it was at 91% 4 weeks later had droped to 70% but I feel it is on the rise again. The reason for this is symptoms I was feeling when they were higher are now back.

My brain isnt working- no short term memory, slurring, basically forgetting why I opened my mouth to say anything, recalling information, generally foggy

Bad circulation- just bending my arms to type or read a book my fingers soon have pins and needles, arms always have slight tingling sensation.

Massive build up of static electricity- everytime I touch the car door(or anything metal) I get a shock, my poor dog gets a shock if I touch him. electrical tingling on my ear when using my mobile.

Shortness of breath- feel my breathing is really shallow and get out of breath really quickly just doing light exercise; walking, house work etc.

I really do feel there is something wrong with me and the saturation levels are the reason for this. As I still have yet another month before I see the specialist I am left to do my own research. I have found some interesting things. Heart and liver problems scare me less, they are what they are. The brain fog does worry me though, it affects my work and the connections with altzheimers is concerning. My grandad died of altzeiermers and its not the way I want to go. Research suggests that once iron is in the brain there is little chance of removing it. I am hoping that the brain fog is related to high TS and is actually a circulation problem in the brain due to high iron content rather than deposits. Anyway in my research whilst looking into iron overload and static electricity I came across an artical about electromagnetic fields, it mainly talks about metalic build ups in the brain from dental work and how that metal in the brain reacts with the environment around us. Interestingly many of the symptoms are the same as iron overload.

Here is an extract, I found it interesting and is one explanation for brain fog, not that I am suggesting it is the answer just interesting to think about.

"Heavy metals can weaken our field through their frequency outputs by modulating compatible frequency components of the body resulting in a weakening of the field thereby causing unhealthy biochemical changes. If you have accumulated toxic metals in your brain, and since your brain is an antenna, you can actually receive more cell phone radiation, which in turn can cause the microbes in your system to overreact and create more potent mycotoxins. 

This can create a never-ending vicious cycle between the microbes and metals in your body and your exposure to electromagnetic fields, which can lead to hypersensitivity. I have seen that a high percentage of illness including chronic infections are caused, and/or aggravated, by electromagnetic field exposure. Then chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and other chronic pain syndromes can easily develop or worsen." 

Likewise, any kind of metal implants and/or amalgam (silver) tooth fillings will significantly increase reception of microwaves, and the mircrocurrents from cell phones and other ambient fields. In case you're wondering how to detect electrohypersensitivity, the five most common symptoms are:

Skin itch/rash/flushing/burning, and/or tingling 

Confusion/poor concentration, and/or memory loss 

Fatigue and weakness 

Headache 

Chest pain and heart problems

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • maureen99963
    maureen99963 laura_19229

    Posted

    Hi Laura, I agree that it doesn't matter how high your numbers are. Everyone reacts to iron overload differently.  My ferritin levels are about the same as yours and my joints have been affected to the extent I needed a hip replacement last year. I also have brain fog and had a permanent tan before my phlebotomies.  I believe high iron caused my infertility in my 30s (I used to eat a LOT of liver and onions when I was in my 20s). And, when I was diagnosed, my liver enzymes (ALT and AST) were elevated for 20 years!  They normalized after just three phlebotomies.   I also have unexplained tachycardia (240bpm resting) and I would like my cardiologist to measure the iron in my heart with sensitive testing.  I would dearly love to wean myself off meds for that.  All that to say, my life has been made quite difficult due to iron overloading.  Our daughter inherited it so I am glad to give her the heads-up but, I wish my father had us all tested or even informed us of his Hemochromatosis years ago when he could have.  It is a shame that I had to suffer so much. I wish you well and don't worry about comparing yourself to others. You are doing the right things and taking good care of yourself. Keep up the good work!

     

  • zach76568
    zach76568 laura_19229

    Posted

    i have been doing this for about 17 years now and i to get concerned about people braggingh ow high there numbers were. mine was very high also, but anytime that numbers are near the 1000's there is organ damagep probably liver damage that we cant take back. so you should feel fortunateth at they caught this early. please be proactive with your doctor. they arethere for you,if you dont like -get a newo ne that understands this disease and listensa nd answers questions. my specialist in ohio doenot get concerned about saturation level as long as my iron stays below 40-60. my saturation is alwals high. 93% lastb bloodwork, but iron was 48. just ask questions and be proactive at doctors. as far as this disease goes, it is very easy controlled with a couple of trips to vampiresoffice

  • mary92507
    mary92507 laura_19229

    Posted

    Hi Laura

    i understand your confusion and upset but I don't think anyone is trying to out do each other with high ferritin levels, it's to offer omfort when we panic when we first find out about ferritin.  I feel exactly as you do symptoms wise it's horrible frightening and hard to deal with.  I ate feeling like this it thank you so much for the information I had no idea! It's so good that we share this information as its horrible not understanding the implications of this issue.  I see my phlebotomist on 20th and can't wait to get started in the hope I start to feel better.  I agree with Maureen your doing good.  Keep talking and sharing your not alone.

    hugs

     

    • philx
      philx mary92507

      Posted

      Hi Mary

      Good luck with your first one I hope all goes well for you??

      Drink plenty of water before you go and after ,and rest that day

      And the next.I wasn't told to drink fluids before but luckily I had.

      My second one on Monday.then weekly for four weeks ,then back

      To specialist for an evaluation of where to go next

      Let us know how you get on???

      Cheers phil

    • mary92507
      mary92507 philx

      Posted

      Hi Phil

      thank ou so much will definitely drink plenty of fluids in order to help myself, your so kind and I'm grateful.

      hugs

      mary

  • philx
    philx laura_19229

    Posted

    Hi Laura

    I am sure no that people are not trying to out do each other quoting

    Levels, I personally find it very reassuring that people quote there

    Levels, it gives me a benchmark on how far I will have to go with

    Treatment to try and get my levels down, everyone would totally agree

    No two people will have the Same symptoms, and the same as regards

    How long our treatment will last,as we all know forums are here to

    Give advice and support ,personally if I were in your position I would go

    Back to my GP and insist my appointment be brought forward.

    I assume you have contacted the hospital daily to check for any

    Cancellations??? I have done this in the passed and got an appointment

    Weeks before my original appointment

    I have had symptoms all my adult life that could have been caused

    By high iron levels but no test has ever been done for ferritin levels

    I find this very annoying?

    I hope you get on OK please let us know how you get on

    Best wishes Phil

  • sheryl37154
    sheryl37154 laura_19229

    Posted

    In Prof Pierre Brissot (Rennes) studies, he believes that TS% >75% is toxic.  Mine are often 100% (has been recorded at 107% - not boasting), and that is how my body feels - toxic.  And I have been 'de-ironed', that is, ferritin brought down to <50 for many years.  However, he does not say what to do about it.

    Recently, after starting taking 100mg aspirin per day, it seemed to 'loosen' up clogged ferritin, the subsequent venesections brought my ferritin down to much lower levels.  Once they were around early 20s, my TS% and Serum Iron suddenly went into normal levels.  So from what happened to me, if you have high TS% still, even though your ferritin is in the 30s after venesections, do not reduce your venesections.  Keep going.

    I have also come across Scandinavian research that has found that women with homozygous C282Y and have TS% >75% were more prone to cancer.

    So taking notice of your TS% is important, if it remains high.  Drs have not caught up with research - do they ever?

     

  • laura_19229
    laura_19229

    Posted

    Hi all

    I'm not suggesting that it is inappropriate to discuss levels, in fact when I found this blog I found it a relief to see how low my levels were in comparison to some others and I find the majority of the discussions helpful and reassuring. The majority of the posts come across as caring and informative. I have just found that on occasion some people are quick to tell others that their low levels aren't a problem and they have nothing to worry about as their levels are nothing in comparison to their own- some of these posts were very old. I'm sure they are trying to be reassuring but as we all know this affects everyone differently and even the doctors don't seem to know what we should or shouldn't worry about. There seems to be a lot of misinformation around what levels should be from person to person and country to country. An example of this is how some people say ferritin levels over 200 are high but my lab results say that for a female in their 20's and 30's should be below 148.

    To be honest I'm not worried about the future as far as the illness is concerned I try not to think about it. right now I just don't want to feel so useless. Hopefully when they start to take my blood I will feel more like me again and hopefully it won't stop me working.

    On a different note my mum was watching a programme about iron in Italy the other day. They were showing how high the iron content is in cereal by picking up cornflakes with a magnet!

    • mary92507
      mary92507 laura_19229

      Posted

      Hi Laura

      Like you can't wait to feel better!

      As for ferritin- I had never heard off it, and levels are so confusing. Don't worry.

      Shocking about corn flakes, I never ever would have thought they were so high in iron.

      Hugs

    • NannyBee
      NannyBee laura_19229

      Posted

      Hello

      I quite agree with you about breakfast cereals, I've been all round the supermarket trying to find a cereal I can eat. Not all of them appeal. I finally found SO organic cornflakes from Sainsbury's which are ok but its a pain as Sainsbury's is not local to me.

      I was only diagnosed last June quite by accident. I had had a fall and dislocated my shoulder and then 10 days later I had a pulmonary embolism. It was only because of all the blood tests I had following these that the high iron levels were spotted. I had no clue.

      Since diagnosis Ive noticed a massive difference in my memory.

      I can have a thought and forget it in the same instant.

      Does anyone know if iron can accumulate in the brain? My consultant says No but Ive read otherwise. I ask because 3 times I had what I can only describe as hallucinations when driving. Ive had to stop .

  • victoria97488
    victoria97488 laura_19229

    Posted

    Hi thanks for sharing this. I am also like you, having HH with not 'alarmingly' high levels of ferritin at 137, with TS 85%, iron serum 34, and yet feeling such fatigue, weakness & lethargy that I can't imagine how difficult it would be to cope with life at higher (ferritin etc) levels.

    I am also now white/grey in pallor, a symptom that others with HH I know also share - they look like death! There is no colour in their cheeks...

    Your point is well made that suffering HH symptoms does not necessarily correlate with only high ferritin, but TS elevation also.

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