Brain Fog for years, debilitating, running out of options.

[nh_user_1126340]

I have been having brain fog for years, although it is worse now than it ever has been.

I rarely have any days without it being bad now, occasionally i will be fine for a morning or so but not often. Frequently accompanied by headaches. I can't hold coherent thoughts together, and any in depth thinking for 2-3 hours in the morning will zombify me for the rest of the day and make me unable to do literally anything. 

All the things I enjoy doing involve my brain, I can't read novels because i can't hold the plot lines well enough unless i make them my first activity before my brain gets worse. I certainly can't read the history books any more because i just never remember any of it which makes reading them pointless. I can't even play piano any more.

I am 19 years old and currently at university. My academic performance has been falling off a cliff since this started, going from loads of A*s at GCSE, to then getting Bs, Cs, Ds at A level and AS level. My memory is much worse and had previously been very good. I was predicted straight As at A level, but didn't achieve it and couldn't go to university where i wanted. Now at Plymouth where the course is slow and i often still can't quite keep up because i can't focus on it enough, if i get behind at all as i am at moment i can't catch up, i can't focus enough. 

I initially thought it was too much caffeine, then i thought too much sugar, then i thought maybe it was because i was overweight, or vitamin or mineral defficient. I have lost nearly 30kg, my diet contains 7 fruits/veg every day. I don't drink, smoke or take caffeine at all.The last time i went to the doctor they took blood tests and found nothing. I barely have anything with sugar in at all, well under the recommended amount, and never have products that are 'sugary' like cakes, chocolate, biscuits etc. I don't eat any processed food everything i make at home. So the only sugar is from sources like bread because i can't find any sugar free bread in supermarkets. I also don't drink anything but water and a small glass of milk each morning now. 

So i have completely run out of ideas. Desperately need some advice. The weight loss was the last thing i could change, now that i have achieved that nothing has improved. My life will continue going downhill unless i can fix this somehow. 

Next year i am supposed to be doing a 'year in industry' for my university course, there is no chance i can make it through an 8 hour work day like this. No hope at all. 

It is beginning to make me depressed because i can't see any way out of the situation, and the hope i had each time i tried to fix each potential problem has faded because i have ran out of problems to fix. 

If anyone has had any similar experiences or has any advice I would be incredibly grateful. 

[nh_user_354839]

Hi Thomas,

Sounds like you are having a tough time right now.

What I would suggest is that you should see your dr for some blood tests and this may well highlight things that can be fixed quite simply, you may be deficient in something or another.

If this falis to turn up anything he should refer you on to a neurologist to get further tests done, such as MRI scand for instance,

Good luck and best wishes, let us know how you get on

[nh_user_436076]

Hi Thomas

since blood tests came back normal I would schedule appointment with a neurologist....Best to go to a specialist.  I have been experiencing some brain fog as well.  I have been on Prednisone for two years and am 66.  You are young.  Please seek help from neurologist and let us know outcome.  Yes, an MRI would be helpful.

I wish you well Thomas.  Please keep us posted...you are too young to go through this. There is help out there.

Blessings,

Wendy

[anon87974465]

Hello Thomas,

I am sorry to hear what you are going through. I do understand and empathize. At 25, I went through something similar. I had massive brain fog, no concentration, fatigue, dizziness. I went from being perfect attendance in work (in 7 years) to constantly being off because I just didn't know what was wrong with me. I honestly felt horrendous. 

This went on for a year straight relentlessly and I went through everything I could think of to correct it. I was taking vitamins, exercising, calorie counting (ensuring I ate correctly mainly), I watched my blood pressure and sugar, took herbal medications like feverfew, passionflower, st johns wort, nothing helped. I was surviving at full time work barely, just starting my masters course, bought a house and was getting married at the time. It was a lot going on yet I didn't even have the mental capacity to read the news in the morning some days! It was a big haze.

After numerous trips to the ENT and Neurologist nothing shown on any blood tests or scans (MRI and CT). I tried a few medications for migranie prevention (amitripalyine) which didn't help and numerous nasal sprays and steroids. I actually had a steroid injection of Kenalog at one point because the ENT thought it was sinus inflammation causing my issues.

One day I had enough and dragged myself to A&E fed up of feeling like death (and I looked so run down at the time) I had lost about 3 stone of weight. The doctors check all sorts, bloods, chest, throat, thyroid, but I was fine?!

The hospital doctor sat me down and talked about stress and anxiety which I didn't believe or understand at the time, his words are you are perfectly fit but making yourself so ill. I talked this through with my GP the next morning who agree it was viable and signed me off work for a month or two to rest. I started taking Sertraline which I must say has improved me dramatically (despite the horrendous initial side effects which pass fast).

Have you ever looked into anxiety problems?

Hope this helps

Tom

 

[nh_user_1166285]

Hello... Have you managed to get anything sorted with this? I think you might be experiencing Migraines. Have you had this looked into?