Debilitating symptoms. Brain fog...extreme memory loss...spacey 24/7!

Mental health
1

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

2

I feel the same they say its anxiety and depression and its awful !!!! I feel ur pain. Its depersonalisation! Mind was awful and now I'm on antidepressants its not as bad but its still not livable sad has your doctor said anxiety disorder?

3

Stiry if my life. What have you been diagnosed with?

4

 Sometimes our bodies shut down and shut out horrible stress areas 

Maybe it's as simple as that 

5

Anxiety depression caused by pregnancy. I had it after my son 5yrs ago and it feels the same but its lasting longer. I'd say I feel 

Spaced out

Dream state 

In a bubble 

Like I'm not really there - nothing seems real

Zombie / foggy 

Is this how u feel?? Read about depersonalisation. I know how awful it feels. I darnt drive! X 

6

Mine just wont go !!!!!

7

I was like that a couple of times after extreme situations and had to absorb myself in something else 

I enjoy gardening so I busied myself and looked after hens etc 

it helps 

take each day as I forward 

8

It won't leave because we hold on to it too much

9

Hey guys! Thank you so much for replying...means a lot.

Anxiety and stress are definitely potential culprits. 

Its strange, really. I feel a constant irritation in my head....like pressure almost. Not quite a headache. Does anyone else struggle with the memory portion? I'm not talking a slight impairment. I'm talking...I can't remember what I did two-three days ago let alone a week. I used to be able to recount mon-sun NO PROBLEM! Now, I just feel like my brain sort of gave up on me. If a friend reminds me of a converssation, I am able to recall...but I'll have no context for when it happened whether it was a few days ago or a week plus...

anyone else have anything else? Other symptoms?

10

Do u have it jen? I really really try so hard but it doesn't go then I get upsett. Its better when I'm out in the air worse when I'm in meetings, at meals etc. I'm thinking of changing my meds 

11

Sounds like anxiety/depression, has the relationship ended now? 

Discuss possibility of above with GP and take from there, it can only be ruled out or treated? 

N 

12

Has anyone had this and now recovered from it,? My first time sertraline worked great this time ,7weeks on fluoxetine and still got it sad

13

I have it worst in bright or flourescent lighting. Does that trigger you?

14

Erm when I think about it I'm better in the dark but iv not noticed it as such. God it mist end soon !

15

My Symptoms are ever present. There is not better or worse. There just...IS. 

brain fog, memory loss, feeling totally spaced out and not awake...24/7

16

Sounds like depressed and anxiety, constant depersonalisation. Meds can ease it 

17

Think I'll begin to get my memory skills back? Any insight with that? without my memory...life seems a whole lot let valuable. What's the point in doing something, if only to forget? Life without memory is treacherous. I desperately want mine back!

18

less valuable

19

Dear Taylor. It sounds highly likely that you may be suffering from anxiety and depression, but the primary cause could well be FIBROMYALGIA...

It causes every single symptom that your are suffering...

I was diagnosed this year after endless rounds of scans and many other varied investigations.. I found the lack of cognitive function ( fibro fog )

Very difficult to live with also the absolute exhaustion.. it may be well worth your while asking your GP their opinion... it is normally diagnosed after all else is ruled out... it can hit at any age and turns your life upside down... I would certainly look into this young man, and I truly sincerely wish and hope that you find an answer... Make an app as soon as you can.. in my thoughts, Deirdre xx

sim

20

Hi there!

Thank you so much for your response.

Hmmm...this was considered at one time, but I believe it was ruled out because I don't experience the muscle or joint issues, tingling in hands or feet, and headaches... But I suppose it could STILL very well be this. 

once you were diagnosed, has treatment helped?