I have the worst brain fog, buzzing, dizziness in my head. I feel like my head is numb and the connections are ultra slow and unorganized. It is debilitating and causes memory problems and confusion. I notice when I get it really bad I also get emotional, moody, and depressed. I hate it.
What causes this horrible fog and mental problems? Is it inflammation? I notice that the fog is worse when I have inflammation elsewhere and pain.
I am really worried about it as I am full time nursing student with a 4.0 GPA and I am finding it extremely hard to focus, read, and study.
I was hoping someone could offer some ways to resolve or lessen the fog? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Are you seeing a Lyme doctor for treatment? That's the first thing that comes to mind, that they should be treating you.
Second, my brain fog cleared up by taking thyroid. My doctor tested me for TSH and T3, the T3 level was below normal, so I went on Armour thyroid and feel much more present again.
Wow - to have a 4.0 GPA while going through this - I'm impressed!! Just know that no matter what you're doing, Lyme makes it hard to think.
Posted by Pocono Lyme (Member # 5939) on :
I had the same response to Armour thyroid as Robin
Posted by Pocono Lyme (Member # 5939) on :
I tried to delete the double post and got "only administrators can perform this action"
The second time I tried it said "Hack attempt logged" and something about having to use a number?
Posted by skarey (Member # 41962) on :
I am not currently seeing a lyme doctor. I was several years ago and got better. That is when I decided to go to nursing school. This is my first big flare up since being in remission and I'm feeling very frustrated with the brain fog and pain.
Where do you get the Armour thyroid?? I've had my thyroid checked before and apparently it was in normal range. I've always wondered though if I should treat it and see if some of my symptoms subside.
Thanks.
Posted by skarey (Member # 41962) on :
Also, how much armour thyroid does everyone take?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
For me, all of those symptoms are caused by candida/yeast.
Are you sure your relapse is not a case of candida/yeast? It is very sneaky!
As for the "hack attempt".. That is due to our current problems with the system. It's malfunctioning.
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
Skarey,
I have those symptoms. Wish I new how to control it, but it is worse with neurally mediated hypotension. (blood pressure drops with "prolonged" upright positions.)
Do you have this condition? If so, just mental concentration can cause blood vessels to dilate rather than constrict. In other words, the blood vessels do the opposite of what they are supposed to do. So brain fog gets worse with this condition.
If it doesn't clear up, maybe you should see the LLMD again.
Posted by skarey (Member # 41962) on :
Rivendell, The fog does seem worse while I'm in an upright position. I feel half way normal while laying down.
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
You may have autonomic dysfunction.
POTS is treated differently than my condition.
I guess a good cardiologist to find out what type of ANS dysfunction you have.
Also, LLMD, because if the infections have returned, they may be damaging the ANS.
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
Oh, I forgot you're in college. That usually means no money.
I hope you feel better and continue your 4.0 GPA.
Posted by skarey (Member # 41962) on :
Yes, I am in college full time and money is definitely tight! However at this point, I would consider taking out extra student loans if it meant feeling better. I need my brain back!!
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
Skarey, I get real moody and depressed when I have inflammation in my brain.
If inflammation is causing your symptoms, you might try fish oil and/or Japanese Knotweed (a Buhner herb).
I take these, but they do tend to lower blood pressure, so I increase licorice root and florinef to compensate.
Fish oil reduces inflammation in the brain, helps new brain cells to grow and encourages better communication between brain cells. Great for depression and bi-polar disorder.
Japanese Knotweed reduces inflammation in the brain, shutting down the exact inflammatory pathways that lyme uses to survive and grow in your body, rids the body of neurotoxins produced by lyme, and Stephen Buhner feels that it also kills lyme.
I also benefit from green tea sweatened with licorice root. Licorice root raises blood pressure, and green tea reduces inflammation, balances the immune system, has antibiotic properties, and helps to lower the resistance of bacteria so that they are easier to kill.
And I take a combination of eleuthero, ashwagandha, and rhodiola to balance the immune system, improve energy, and to help my brain work and to help my mood.
All this, plus the LLMD's treatments.
Just some suggestions.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Re your question about Armour thyroid, it's an Rx, and I take 60mg 2x/day. I tested normal TSH and low T3. So you might want to get a bloodtest and check.
Posted by skarey (Member # 41962) on :
Rivendell, Thanks so much for the info. I am gonna order some of the Japanese Knotwood for sure.
Where can I get it?
Posted by rowingmom (Member # 41213) on :
Just to add to Rivendell's list of Buhner herbs, cordyceps (1st ChineseHerbs) has been a great solution for brainfog for me. The first couple of times I used it, I was almost too focused, but that effect seems to have improved.
Japanese knotweed (organic powdered herb - 1st ChineseHerbs, tincture - WoodLandEssence) can lower blood pressure and I was finding that at higher dosages (for me that is more than 1/4 tsp TID organic powdered herb decoction) I would get a brainfog effect. Cordyceps, rhodiola and green tea have helped me with that. I found eleuthero to be too estrogenic for me (perimenopausal and too much of my own estrogen at the moment).
Our daughter can tolerate 1/4 tsp powdered herb PLUS 1/4 of the tincture TID. It impressively resolves brain inflammation. She is also dealing with PANS/PANDAS autoimmune brain inflammation related to her bartonella infection.
If you are interested in using his herbal protocols, you would find his book on treating the bartonella and mycoplasma co-infections right up your alley. Lots of medical terminology that I struggle with. He talks in depth on the physiological effects of the infections, the cytokine pathways they initiate and the anti-inflammatory actions of Japanese Knotweed, cordyceps and other herbs he suggests for treatment.
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
If you go to www.buhnerhealinglyme.com you will find his protocal and various companies where you can purchase the herbs.
You can also try www.iherb.com for some of the tinctures (but not all), as well as other companies.
If you don't mind buying powdered herbs in bulk by the pound (not in capsules) for a good price, you can try www.herbalcom.com. But not all Buhner herbs are available there. But they have Cat's Claw and the cordyceps, and maybe some others.