Debilitating symptoms. Brain fog...extreme memory loss...spacey 24/7!
Posted , 640 users are following.
The last year of my life has been a brutal one. At the age of 22, I am in the lowest of lows and I desperately need some help!
Here’s my tale:
About a year ago, a couple months after an extremely strenuous relationship, I began noticing that I was tired all the time…and all around, I wasn’t really satisfied. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed my friends, and activities…but life just wasn’t as bright and vibrant anymore after a month of noticing this ever-present fatigue, it got a bit stronger. I would wake up each morning completely zombie-mode…and that feeling would remain throughout the entirety of my day, until my head hit my pillow that evening.
Initially, I suspected some form of sleeping disorder. I set up a sleep study, got my thyroid checked, ferritin levels, all the basics. Sleep study revealed I sleep just fine and all my other blood tests came back negative.
The fatigue and the weight of the world slowly got worse over the next handful of months, UNTIL I woke up one morning and everything escalated greatly. I felt completely stoned. I couldn’t think right. I couldn’t concentrate. I felt inebriated. I felt totally disconnected and spacey. I felt as though I had no control over myself. I lost drive and motivation. I lost a lot of confidence. I always had an incredibly sharp memory. It was actually something well known about me to those in my family and friend circles. Yet, on this morning, almost all new information could not be retained. Things that happened earlier in the day, by evening, I felt they happened a day or two before. I could no longer recount the activities I took part in. This is possibly the worst of all the symptoms. The extreme short term memory. I have no context for time and I sort of feel like I’m just floating through life suffering.
For months I visited doctors getting tested by specialists. I visited a neurologist, infectious disease, I had an MRI, & I had about 20 different blood tests. NOTHING. My doctor literally said “I have no idea what this could be. I am beside myself” TOTES reassuring! I tried altering my diet entirely to organic and all natural. I continued my workouts and ran 15 miles a week. I tried sleeping even earlier. I tried all I could think of .
I have scoured the message boards and found a few people suffering from the same, but without answers.
I’m not sure if depression is the culprit, but depression sure has found its nasty venom-coated fangs into my veins. Tired, depressed, failed memory, no drive, scared…it’s no way to live. I want my life back.
PLEASE OFFER INSIGHT! I will be so grateful J
Sincerely,
Taylorsaurus Rex
54 likes, 1428 replies
timeetim TaylorMason
Posted
I've been having similar symptoms, but with mild chest discomfort, and TONS of belching. At least i know I'm not alone.
brian21114 TaylorMason
Posted
Hello again everyone!
Wow, it's somewhat disconcerting (and a "reality check"
to go back a few months, read one of your older posts, only to realize that, at least to some degree, the symptoms are still there. Perhaps I can speak for many here: whatever "this" is, it is certainly "unchartered territory" in terms of anything I've ever been through in my 46 years of existance. Unchartered in terms of symptoms and longevity. I mean, it's just something I never would have expected; it seems so surreal. I don't think any of us would have seen something like this coming.
For me, I have had some good days, and some not-so-good days since my last repord (around New Years). The anxiety aspect is under control (so it would seem). I am sleeping well. However, I could still tell something isn't right. My vocabulary is more simplified. I often have to think twice what a word means, or what an obscure object is called. I just don't seem to have the breadth or depth of working memory as I once did. Often times I resort to more basic terminology because the more complex terms don't come to mind right away. It may not seem like a big deal for someone on the receiving end of a converstation, but it feels like a big deal to me. I don't expect people to recognize a problem just because II said "opposite" because I couldn't remember "antithesis". Yet, I feel there's a problem. When I'm really in the throws of this "brain fog", I hear words and phrases that, while I know the meaning and can understand what folks are saying, I wonder if I would have used similar terminology...I wonder those words would flow out as easily for me without having to think.
At this point, IMO, I feel we're beyond anxiety and depression. I don't want to minimize the ramifications either can have on our cognative abilities. Then again, if this has been going on for 10 months now (hard to believe), and it's most likely not neurological, then what else can it be??
One day/one week we're fine, then a little stressful period comes up, and we're like this for 10 months. For some of you, multiple years. What the heck? What was the "light switch" that turned this thing on for good?
Oh, I am also on generic Anaranil (2 weeks now). Not sure I'm impressed at this point, since it seems to be making my brain fog worse. Let me be clear: if any of these ADs cause brain fog, then there's no sense in me taking them, since IF I do have depression, it's becuase of this brain fog, and not the other way around!
lindathepinda brian21114
Posted
Hi Brian, thanks for your update.
Also in my case my depressed feelings are a result of my neurological condition (and the financial and social consequences), not the other way around. Why do you think it is most likely not neurological?
I'm curious what the AD will do for you. Just the fact you doubt you have clinical depression makes me think you don't have it since people who suffer from depression have no doubts about it...
Just wondering; did you consider using medication/supplements which improve cognitive function? Like Modafinil, Vinpocetine, Gingko or alike?
Janeannio brian21114
Posted
I can completely identify with your descriptions above about the simplification of language etc. Guess our greatest fears these days are of having Alzheimer's but I can't believe that we all have it and it such varying ages. Sometimes I almost think that there has been experiments for decades with the general public and what we eat and breathe etc. to see how we function and if it is somehow a way to "control the masses." I don't want to sound like a nut here but anymore, I believe anything is possible and it is best not to be completely naive.....This is just such a widespread problem that I would think any normal thinking person would be a bit suspicious as to why......
rebekah2222 TaylorMason
Posted
What are everyone's opinions on TMS treatments? My doc said with my symptoms of the "brain fog" dream state, not feeling really in the world are signs of depression but there are different types. Mine he says is from a tramatic experience and my brain went into shock and now won't come out of it. It stays in a dream state to protect itself but always waits for any little thing to happen... it's like on guard every second of the day. I feel completely normal other than feeling like I'm in a dream state 24/7. But also I do feel dizzy and sick a lot of times bc I'm tired of it been through this for almost 7 years and I'm just turning 21, this month. The TMS treatments (look it up for better understanding) are supposedly natural, but are waves to the part of the brain they say you need it (they do a evaluation to see how your brain works) to stimulate that part of the brain that wants to shut down. Supposely mine that is trying to shut down is my logical part, which makes you believe you're really here. And they say the TMS treatments will stimulate that part again. I like the thought of it bc for one it's natural, more than taking anxiety and depression meds that just make it worse for me, but it's still very scary bc it's dealing with the brain, what if it makes it worse?... also it's very expensive, around 10,000 for the treatments required. Hey if it really works it's worth it I'm not saying that at all, that would be priceless. But also what if it doesn't work? Thoughts? Bc I know most don't know about this, I had no idea they did this. Until I reached out to a health food store for possible natural stuff to take and she referred me to this.
michael30415 rebekah2222
Posted
I've never heard of this. Yes it would be great if it worked, expensive if it didn't. And what are the risks?! Definitely get other opinions. I'll look into it. Sorry your going through this.
rebekah2222 michael30415
Posted
Thanks for your reply. I haven't heard of any risks, when they give you a booklet they just tell you what it is and about it. Not what could happen. The doc did said their were some people that had seizures from it but supposedly the ones that had them were either smoking weed or drinking alcohol while doing treatments.. that's the only thing I've heard with that. I'm all for getting another opinions but idk who to even ask lol. But you're right about that.
maya51673 rebekah2222
Posted
Kurty TaylorMason
Posted
No one here has mentioned inflammation. It appears many studies have found that inflammation can cause symptoms of Depression. These symptoms sound exactly like brain fog. As others have mentioned, brain fog seems to be a type of Depression. The brain fog is caused by cytokines which are triggered from inflammation. I only know this because I suffer from an inflammatory disease and I have terrible brain fog. There are many studies about this online. I read that inflammation in depression is very very common. So you should definitely check this out. Unfortuneately there doesn't seem to be much you can do about this inflammation. Certain dieting techniques are available. Also they curently have medication like cimzia and humira which block specific cytokines in the body, but these medications are only available to people with autoimmune diseases like me. Please verify this all for yourself. I'm curious to see what everyone thinks about this new information.
Janeannio Kurty
Posted
I think you have made a very good and important point here. I think there is a blood test available for inflammtion in the body but then the problem is, what do we do about it to change it? It is quite shocking to see how widespread this affliction is and hope it is not something that has been introduced into the public for purposes of "evil", like Hitler and the flouride before WW2......
lindathepinda Kurty
Posted
There is definitely inflammation going on, it's low grade though, and therefore difficult to test.
When I was suffering from Ulcerative Colitis I had the same complaints and mentioned them to my specialist several times, but they were happily ignored. I hear the same from people with fibromyalgia and RA. The first even have a special name for it: fibrofog.
Currently it is Lyme disease which causes my cognitive complaints, it feels quite the same as during my UC times.
Indeed diet (high quality, pure and allergen free) can help accompanied by moderate exercise, stress management and plenty of rest, also certain supplements like curcuma can be helpful.
Does the Humira help with your brainfog Kurty?
Loskillshot TaylorMason
Posted
My God.... I have finally found someone having the SAME EXACT THINGS. Everything you described I am a dealing with all day everyday. I went online in hopes to find someone in my shoes and here you are.... I even went through the same situation which was a very strenuous relationship. I don't know if yours was abusive but mine definitely was ... first of all I want to say I AM SO SO SO VERY SORRY YOU GO THROUGH THIS..... Believe me when I say I knew everything if you were going through because I experience every symptom you mentioned every second of every day. The only thing I have found to help me is to keep telling myself that I am OK that I am strong and then I will continue to be OK. You have to be one strong and amazing person to deal with such torture on a day-to-day basis but. What makes it even worse for me is that I have Tourette's syndrome On top of that .... I pray that you find some kind of peace through this. I will hope for your reply and I would love to hear from you . I know for a fact that you are one strong soul. Take care and always know that I am suffering with you my dear friend... ?? ??
Al213 Loskillshot
Posted
Thank you for your very kind response. You are a caring soul. I have searched feverishly on the internet through all this as well. I finally typed in a different way and you popped up like God let me find your post when I needed to see something that could connect me.
Let me say I am so sorry about your suffering. Also let me ask you a question please, have you ever been given antibiotics called Cipiro or Leviquin or another antibiotic in that class?
Oddly e ough I have mental illness too before this started. I am a disabled veteran and have suffered with severe PTSF, anxiety, with some depression and mild form of OCD. Not sure about OCD. They just stuck in file because I can be very organized etc, not the hand washing or door locking stereotypes of that illness..
I had 2 back surgeries in 2010 for degenerative disc disease that was creating jeopardy for my spinal cord and they fused 3 new discs. The problem actually started a couple of years before when the VA was throwing opioids at everyone so after surgery they'd course increased my dosage to like 90 Mgs a day of Oxicodone and Percocet. Overtime they kept increasing the dosageand it inched up to 165 Mgs a day. I don't remember much from 2012 to 2015 because I started sleeping more and more until I was barely out of bed for more than a few hours a day. All the time I knew this wasn't living but I was terrified of what I was convinced would be terrible pain all the time. I had even brought it up to several VA doctors that I was concerned that this type drugs were making me feel odd and not myself but they all wanted me to keep on them and the opioids themselves are evil in the way they make you believe you can't survive without them.
My point in telling you all of that is because I thought if I could get off of the pain pills I would be me again with what I had previously. Finally I had just left the pain doctor's office with 3 prescriptions and I feel God told me if I filled them I would be dead by that Christmas. That was September of 2015. I tore them up put them in a envelope with a note saying I am done and mailed them to the doctor' office. I then had to take something for withdrawals but to my shock I had pain but I could easily manage it myself.
At this time I thought ok, I should start to feel like myself in a few months. As you know I only felt all the symptoms we have discussed and I set out on a unsuccessful quest to find out what was wrong soI could treat it.
You know the rest of the story.
Sorry this was so long but I thought it might help you understand and maybe we could learn something.
Let me know about the question I asked and stay strong.
God Bless
Al
ana85762 Al213
Posted
Al213 TaylorMason
Posted
Hi Taylor,
I have the exact same issues for last 2 years. I went to doctors, specialists, blood tests, MRI. And more. According to the physical tests I am fine except for low-T.
I have tried supplements, diet, and have racked my brain trying to figure this out.
I am terrified too!!!
I feel like my life is over and everyone is getting used to this and think it's depression. I am going to check out some new treatments for depression. It is hard to understand. I feel like I am in here and can't get out.
If you have found anything please let me know.
You will be in my prayers.
Al S.