In a fog and disconnected

[Airborne1031]

Over the past few years I have had an issue of feeling in a very bad fog and disconnected.  With this my memory and speach are greatly affected.  I feel sort of like a spectator in my own life.  I do feel slight pressure in the front of my head but no pain.  This feeling comes and goes and tends to be worse while I am calm.  When something is keeping me really busy or engaged like military duty, building stuff at the house etc I seem to be better.  The doctore has done blood tests for cancer and has even gone as far as trying out a medicine for ADHD to no avail.  I do not have much confidence that the VA is helping me much and this isdriving me crazy and starting to cause me issues at my civillian job.  I have always been the sharpest mentally and could remember everything and now I have issues remebering what I did 10 minutes ago. The issue is mostly short term memory not long term.  I still remember my schooling just not who I talked to last or their names.  I do not drink or smoke.  My only bad habit is too much Mt. Dew but I have mostly given that up just in case. Other possibly unrelated symptoms are very poor sleep, weight gain and over all pain and soreness in joints.

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. I understand lack of sleep as a vital possibility causing the confused and foggy mental state with short-term memory loss. pain and soreness in joints along with brain fog also need fibromyalgia workup. the defining criteria according to the guidelines laid are, apart from pain and fatigue, about 11 trigger points, sleep disturbance, morning stiffness, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, numbness or tingling of extremities, restless leg syndrome, temperature sensitivity and cognitive and memory problems. various tests and tender points in back of neck, shoulders, sternum, lower back etc. no definite diagnostic criteria so a combination of non invasive spinal care, trigger point therapy and lifestyle changes are very helpful in therapy. Consult a neurologist as soon as possible. Hope this helps. Take care.

[007melissa]

What you are describing began happening to me in graduate school. It sounds like you have a combination of burnout and symptoms of depression. Do you work alot and rarely schedule time for yourself? It's quite possible depression, anxiety are factors you should consider. Talking to a psychatrist and therapist might help.