i'm in the middle of final exams right now, and my brain fog and lyme dyslexia/paraphasia and forgetfulness are as bad as usual.
anyone know of an herb that helped them with cognitive problems, mental clarity and short-term memory? i tried gingko biloba a year ago, but it didn't noticeably change anything.
Posts: 98 | From WI | Registered: Feb 2008
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bettyg
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posted
bernie, no experience; but up we go for afternoon members here having knowledge!! best wishes!
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posted
I take a sublingual B12 after lunch in the afternoons when I start to get really foggy and drowsy. No idea why, but it does help me get through the rest of the work day. Not sure if it would work for anyone else either, but it was just a little benefit I stumbled across.
Posts: 236 | From Washington | Registered: Jul 2008
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adamm
Unregistered
posted
Lemme' know when you find something that works--I'm in exactly the same position (and all of my finals are early in the morning, too). GInko used to work for me, but then my disease progressed...
Well--I'm probably getting my SPECT within the next few days...hopefully it'll only show reversible stuff.
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Keebler
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posted
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Other than B-12 and a good night's sleep and good food (salmon, greens, carrots and maybe a tiny bit of very dark chocolate), I would hesitate to start anything new in the middle of final's week.
Chocolate that is over 73% dark, after a meal can help. Best to stay below one ounce and not too late in the day.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
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Bernie,
I read over some of your past posts. Are you still taking Rhodiola?
Still, whatever the answer, please be sure not to take anything that promises to "boost" energy or brain power as that could cause other problems.
I know you had said on previous thread that you did not see effects from Rhodiola so you might try another adaptogen such as Ashwagandha, Cordyceps or Siberian Gingseng (this is not regular Ginseng and it's best to avoid that as it can create some jitters for lyme patients).
I would not really change this until after your finals. And, I know you are 21 and that after finals the party scene is huge. I hope you can celebrate with some carrot-ginger juice (and that might help before a test, too, but go easy on the ginger).
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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GOTU KOLA is something you might consider after you've gotten through this week. I just don't suggest adding anything new right now - and sleep may be your best friend.
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Gotu Kola (not a cola) can calm the nervous system while also helping with alertness. It helps give a sense of well-being without feeling ``wired'' or ``hungover''.
Of everything I've used over the years, I cannot say enough good about the wonderful effects I've seen - in many ways - from Gotu Kola.
GOTU KOLA -- An Under-Appreciated Herb: Multifaceted Benefits on Microcirculation for Cardiovascular and Cognitive Health -- By Linda Fugate, PhD
The best nutrition in the world will not do anyone any good if it doesn't reach our tissues. The gatekeeper to tissues is the microcirculatory system, which includes blood vessels smaller than 0.1 mm in diameter. The health of the microcirculatory system is now recognized as critical to the total health of the individual. (1)
Gotu Kola's Effect on the Circulatory System . . .
From Wound Healing to Brain Health . . .
. . .
Conclusion
. . .
Gotu Kola's primary action is enhancement of the health of the circulatory system. Because circulation is critical to the health of the entire body, Gotu Kola offers benefits in a variety of conditions.
The antioxidant and collagen supportive functions of Gotu Kola are particularly important in enhancing healing of damaged tissues.
Gotu Kola is bitter and astringent in taste and cooling in action. It is a brain and memory tonic, and an anti-poison, and very useful for wound and skin healing.
. . .
TAM doctors use it as a brain and memory tonic, and have found it especially useful in children.
In Nepal, during the ceremony for the first day of spring, gotu kola leaf is given to schoolchildren to help them in their studies by improving memory and concentration.
It is very safe and extremely effective. TAM doctors also use it to cleanse the system of toxins and reduce inflammation. TCM doctors use gotu kola to clear up boils and toxic fevers. . .
The primary effects of gotu kola include both wound healing and improvement of mental clarity and emotional balance. . . .
Research Highlights
* Western scientists have focused on the herb's wound and skin healing effects.
Numerous studies from around the world have demonstrated its efficacy in treating keloids, leg ulcers, phlebitis, slow-healing wounds, leprosy, surgical lesions, cellulitis, burns, dermatitis, venous disorders, and even cirrhosis of the liver (Maquart et al., 1999; Shukla et al., 1999; Hausen, 1993; Cesarone et al., 1992).
These studies illustrate the plant's numerous stimulating effects on the healing processes of the skin and connective tissue.
* The Indian Central Council for Research on Ayurveda and Siddha, citing more than ten pharmacological and animal studies of gotu kola, also found evidence of the following characteristics: CNS depressant [calming without causing drowiness], memory enhancer, anti-convulsant, antispasmodic, behavior and intelligence enhancer, and blood sugar regulator (Pandley et al., eds, 1996).
One of the solutions mentioned (by Tillotson) for calming is Seven Forests Acorus Tablets. A search will bring up sources and the ITM link in the article takes you right to a research article about that.
I have taken many of the things suggested and, while no longer a child and not (exactly) ADD, I have a very sensitive system and would be glad to share my experiences with certain things if that helps.
===========================
From: The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook (Tillotson, et.al.)
Chinese Herbal Treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a broad syndrome that may include hyperkinetic syndrome, hyperactivity, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
=====================
Acorus was mentioned in an link above as being calming. Here is more on that:
Abxnomore
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
Don't know if it's contradicted with lyme but you can google Phosphatidyl Choline and brain health.
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Keebler
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Abxnomore:
Phosphatidyl Choline is something that many lyme patients say helps.
======
More about supplements, in general, for lyme patients:
sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
I always found that chewing gum or sucking on hard candy helped me focus better on tests.
Caffeine also helps temporarily but as always expect a crash. It would be good if you expected the test to only last for about an hour. Afterwards have some peanut butter crackers or something substantial to snack on to pick you back up.
And i'm assuming that you always eat breakfast, something with protein and complex carbs. That is a must. You cannot not skip meals during finals week. Your brain needs fuel.
Good luck and try not to stress too much:)
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Abxnomore
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I have always taken Phosphatidyl Choline but I know how we all have different reactions. IMO, it's one of the essentials for brain health.
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posted
I've had good luck with Alpha Lipoic Acid (500 mg. twice a day) and N-Acetyl L-Carnitine (twice a day). You have to take them both together. Give it about three weeks to start working.
-------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Anonymous Posts: 450 | From California | Registered: Feb 2008
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i haven't taken rhodiola rosea for about a year - didn't notice any effect, for better or worse, when taking it.
i'll try gotu kola when exams are done.
i could count on one hand the number of diet sodas i've drunk in my life...it's disgusting and bad for you, so it's been is to say no...
alpha lipoic acid with acetyl l-carnitine is a pricy duo and i've read you have to take it for a few months to notice any significant effects (that goes for pretty much anything though, i suppose). i'll see how the gotu kola goes first. plus, i've read some people's posts who said it did nothing, but then others' who loved it. ain't that always the way.
carrot ginger juice sounds wonderful, but, unfortunately, alcohol has been my vice, my one true downfall in treating this disease and it will come up without doubt when exams finalize. i gave it up for months last year, and that was just depressing...it sucks being the guy not drinking with every group.
i tried provigil last year for energy and mental alertness - it made me jittery and gave me diarrhea..not desired.
i'll have to read about phosphatidyl choline next week.
i know all these herbs are just temporary or defensive fixes though. and i am certain that i need to kill this disease off with the right regimen of abx. it's just, i never notice any big improvements, and so i usually prefer to be 21 and drink.
i know i need to make a change, because i sleep 11-13 hours a day many days and still feel drowsy as ever..and i feel like abx worsen the fatigue.
thanks for the input guys. sorry my response is a random slur thoughts.
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