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

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  • Posted

    Is there any herb to combat this? I know raw food diet would help but when you feel so debilitated you can not even start the preparation. Prozac helped me in the past but just for few daUs. I got mania for 2 months. The only thing that helps short time is to try forcing your brain into positive state. Fake thinking. I do not hate life I hate the feeling of being not waken up. I got no energy but if you have trust me raw food diet ( juicing) helps. I did it in the past.
  • Posted

    I'm 17 and I started to feel this way too. It started this year. Last year, I was fine. Doing good in school and socializing with people. Yes, I consider myself to be a more negative person, but that's just my thoughts. This year, I can't concentrate on anything. I wake up like a dead person brought back to life. When I think about somethkng or try to concentrate, I get brain fog. Nothing my teachers say are getting into my head. And its quite annoying. Ive always felt dead on the inside, but I always pretend to be okay with a smile. Is this really caused by depression?

  • Posted

    Been experiencing all this for a while now too and as much as I hate pointing I.T to severe anxiety I have to say I.T does seem odd that 99% of people on these forums had previous anxiety. I don’t think it’s made up by anxiety but I do think I.T causes I.T If that makes sense. Anyways Have any of you tried smoking weed or drinking alcohol during this. I’m in college and have multiple times.. and I feel 100000x worse th fog is unbearable I’m basically nonexistent .. had to stop all fun college things now as well
    • Posted

      One thing that kind of lifts I.T a TAD for me is when I sit down and play some video games .. i feel like intense video games take full concentration and brain usage , which gets my mind off of anything and everything else. This eases I.T a bit and lifts I.T a LITTLE..
  • Posted

    Help... 
    • Posted

      I feel you. A lot of us here can relate. You can get through it, I know you can. Say some prayers and I’ll be doing the same. God is good. 
    • Posted

      I feel you. A lot of us here can relate. You can get through it, I know you can. Say some prayers and I’ll be doing the same. God is good. 
  • Posted

    Dear Moderator - I am looking to understand why my previous post was deleted - unfortunately there is no feedback and so I can't practically edit to repost. I believe the content is important. How can I resolve? Thanks in advance.

    Folks - I have a long-winded post that didn't get out, but, my recommended treatment is paced-breathing exercises at 5-7 breaths per minute, starting at five minutes per day. My recommendation is to dilligently practice every day and increase duration. There are a wealth of studies that support efficacy of practicing techniques like this, that have a scientific backbone. Cell phone apps exist that can assist this.

    This technique costs nothing, and requires minimal commitment - and changed my life. My symptoms were very similar to the original poster. I have had a relief of symptoms since beginning this, for several weeks.

    Please web search the following for studies, physiological background information, etc:

    Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback, Polyvagal Theory.

    Please direct message me for further information as necessary. If you find the practice helps, please give time to confirm for yourself, and post for others. 

     

  • Posted

    Hello I am suffering that same thing. My symtomes are the same besides my memori is fine, feels like I am walking through a dream. Mines so ad I don't feel ok to drive by myself or drive far yet but I am working on it but its hard. I can't live like this. I need help and all my doc says I have is anxiety. But everything they put me on don't work.

    • Posted

      I have derealization....how did you recover from yours ?
    • Posted

      I'm still recovering but getting better.  Taking antibiotics for Lyme for past 6 months.  It is a terrible disease and can affect your brain.  It's very difficult to eradicate.

    • Posted

      Did you ever have a hard time being able to drive. Or function while feeling like your in a dream 24/7?
    • Posted

      yes, It got really bad this past summer and I couldn't drive for 2 or 3 months.  I can drive now, but still only do short distances.  The bacteria gets into your brain and causes encephalitis.

    • Posted

      I've had it 12 years non stop....I've learnt how to function with it...it still scares me everyday the horrible dream like state. I started sertraline at couple of months ago and I'm just starting to see some improvement with my derealization.

    • Posted

      I'm glad you are seeing improvement.  I'm not saying you have Lyme, but just something you should get tested for to rule it out.

    • Posted

      Hi just read ur post after all my tests and the doctor saying nothing was wrong and all the other specialists he decided to send me to a shrink. Anyway he's diagnosed me with chronic fatigue syndrome and put me on 200mg of sertraline and I'm pretty much back to normal just wondered how much u were on 200mg is the maximum dose in England anyway

    • Posted

      hi all. i found all symptoms similar to yours diminished with a paced breathing exercise, 7 days a week, 12+ minutes a day. 5 second inhale, 5 second exhale = 6 breaths per minute. There is a lot of research to suggest this effects these symptoms. Please websearch polyvagal theory or heart rate variability biofeedback for more detailed information. This changed my life. No drugs, no cost, and easy to implement. In one week, you may determine if it works for you. Best of luck. PM me with any questions, please!
    • Posted

      Did you have any memory issues ??distant memories ?? Hope you're feeling much better. Take care.

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