Aa
Lightheaded, brain fog...Not right
Hello everyone, 25/M
About a year ago I began experiencing some strange sensations which I sometimes have trouble finding the words to describe, but their presence is definitely there regardless. In a nutshell my symptoms seem to be fatigue, lightheadedness, "brain fog", trouble focusing, numbness and generally just feeling disconnected. I'm "not there" so to speak, both physically and mentally. I can still function in my daily life, but doing anything that requires real thought (including conversation) is very hard sometimes and it's sort of like my mind and body have been numbed and covered in novocain. I feel stoned and like things just aren't really hitting me so to speak. There are times when it's hard to even focus my eye sight on anything, as all my eyes want to do is drift off and blankly stare in to the middle distance while my head shuts. I'm like a zombie and talking to people is like struggling through improv. It doesn't feel natural and life is sort of like reading the words out of a book and understanding what they mean, but not quite having them quite connect. Sometimes I feel like I'm going crazy, or that I'm not even a real person...but again, it's hard to describe. I also have fatigue, which hits me very hard toward the end of the day (along with dizzy spells) and all I want to do is crash in my bed when I get home from work. I've also suddenly developed large bags/circles under my eyes over the last year, but I'm not sure how that could be related.
I've had every type of bloodwork done which all came back normal as did my EEG. This has brought me to the conclusion that it has to be something "mental" as opposed to physical, but whether that's anxiety, ADD, depression, depersonalization, post traumatic stress disorder or something else is hard to say. I tried taking Lexapro for a short while which may have helped a bit, but I stopped about a month in since it completely killed my libido and that wasn't even remotely acceptable to me.
Has anyone else experienced similar symptoms? Is this all in my head or are there physical disorders that can result in these feelings? My only other lead is that I started feeling this way shortly after I moved in to my new apartment, so it's possible there's some sort of mold that's making me have problems. I also feel somewhat better when I visit my parents out of state for a week, but that could very well just be in my head or a result of lessened anxiety...Who knows. I just need help and I honestly don't know what else to ask.
About a year ago I began experiencing some strange sensations which I sometimes have trouble finding the words to describe, but their presence is definitely there regardless. In a nutshell my symptoms seem to be fatigue, lightheadedness, "brain fog", trouble focusing, numbness and generally just feeling disconnected. I'm "not there" so to speak, both physically and mentally. I can still function in my daily life, but doing anything that requires real thought (including conversation) is very hard sometimes and it's sort of like my mind and body have been numbed and covered in novocain. I feel stoned and like things just aren't really hitting me so to speak. There are times when it's hard to even focus my eye sight on anything, as all my eyes want to do is drift off and blankly stare in to the middle distance while my head shuts. I'm like a zombie and talking to people is like struggling through improv. It doesn't feel natural and life is sort of like reading the words out of a book and understanding what they mean, but not quite having them quite connect. Sometimes I feel like I'm going crazy, or that I'm not even a real person...but again, it's hard to describe. I also have fatigue, which hits me very hard toward the end of the day (along with dizzy spells) and all I want to do is crash in my bed when I get home from work. I've also suddenly developed large bags/circles under my eyes over the last year, but I'm not sure how that could be related.
I've had every type of bloodwork done which all came back normal as did my EEG. This has brought me to the conclusion that it has to be something "mental" as opposed to physical, but whether that's anxiety, ADD, depression, depersonalization, post traumatic stress disorder or something else is hard to say. I tried taking Lexapro for a short while which may have helped a bit, but I stopped about a month in since it completely killed my libido and that wasn't even remotely acceptable to me.
Has anyone else experienced similar symptoms? Is this all in my head or are there physical disorders that can result in these feelings? My only other lead is that I started feeling this way shortly after I moved in to my new apartment, so it's possible there's some sort of mold that's making me have problems. I also feel somewhat better when I visit my parents out of state for a week, but that could very well just be in my head or a result of lessened anxiety...Who knows. I just need help and I honestly don't know what else to ask.
Hi there, I know its been a while since you posted your symptoms list but I wondered whether you found what was causing them? I have exactly the same symptoms as you apart from stomach issues, and it's driving me mad and making life really difficult and surreal. I do have MS, but I feel it all stems from my ears and head not the MS.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Im not a doctor though. I feel like so many doctors just want to make money off you and send you to their doctor friends to rip you off!
Try look for a doctor that has good references or speak to support forums in your area to find someone you can trust then tell them all your symptoms and tell them exactly what YOU think it is. Many doctors diagnose based on textbook stuff so if the doctor tells you nothing is wrong or keeps treating you for the same thing, listen to your instinct and get a second opinion.
Try look for a doctor that has good references or speak to support forums in your area to find someone you can trust then tell them all your symptoms and tell them exactly what YOU think it is. Many doctors diagnose based on textbook stuff so if the doctor tells you nothing is wrong or keeps treating you for the same thing, listen to your instinct and get a second opinion.
I did research on anxiety, spoke to a friend who happens to be a psychologist and she told me that a big set back with anxiety medication is that it has a side effect of paradoxical symptoms which may induce more anxiety so the meds that are prescribed for anxiety may actually make it worse. Im sure there will be hundreds of people who will say that anxiety medication worked for them!
I watched a video on anxiety too and it said anxiety comes from our natural fight or flight instinct. Our bodies are protecting us from a perceived threat that may not exist at all! So anxiety is a completely natural reaction! Anxiety medication actually holds our brain at ransom (so to say) and forces it into doing something unnatural, to stop worrying and just give into the threat. It takes about 12 months for our brains to accept this change and then you can usually start living again.
To be honest I think anxiety medication should only be taken in extreme cases where there may be another underlying mental disorder. I would try everything natural first, see a therapist or try meditation etc.
I watched a video on anxiety too and it said anxiety comes from our natural fight or flight instinct. Our bodies are protecting us from a perceived threat that may not exist at all! So anxiety is a completely natural reaction! Anxiety medication actually holds our brain at ransom (so to say) and forces it into doing something unnatural, to stop worrying and just give into the threat. It takes about 12 months for our brains to accept this change and then you can usually start living again.
To be honest I think anxiety medication should only be taken in extreme cases where there may be another underlying mental disorder. I would try everything natural first, see a therapist or try meditation etc.
As a follow up on my other comments.
My symptoms suddenly got much worse, had extreme fatigue (like nothing I've ever experienced), suddenly had bad photophobia (Sensitivity to light), weakness, pressure headache, felt feverish and my neck got sore!
It became so bad over the past few days I didn't think I was going to be able to work. I went to the doctor last week and she told me it sounds like a virus has been attacking my system and will treat me symptomatically. She prescribed something called Airmune which is an effervescent tablet to boost your immune system. She also gave me cataflam for pain and inflammation.
After about 2 days I suddenly started feeling normal. Just suddenly!
No more dizziness, no more brain fog, all my symptoms gone. I only felt a bit more tired than normal but its possibly still due to my body being exhausted from fighting whatever I had.
In conjunction with the above I also started eating better and exercising. Including more fruit and veggies, doing yoga etc.
My friend told me that I could've been suffering with migraines too when I had the headache etc. All I know is I just wanted to die.
The doctor also told me if it wasn't a virus, I could be having anxiety and an acute reaction to stress which she said doesn't necessarily just come from 1 event but that there is a trigger for many years of stress which I can relate to. The symptoms of anxiety are dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, brain fog (please go research this topic because you'll be surprised how strong our minds are). Don't rule out anxiety!
Many people also can't accept that nothing is wrong with them and that's exactly how anxiety plays its cards. If you still aren't sure, my doctor also recommended I see an endocrinologist to do tests on hormones and glands etc. There are so many imbalances that can really affect your bodies functions. Alternatively, you can see a physician as they also do general tests on your wellbeing and may be able to pinpoint the exact cause.
Hope you guys find a solution to make you feel normal again!
My symptoms suddenly got much worse, had extreme fatigue (like nothing I've ever experienced), suddenly had bad photophobia (Sensitivity to light), weakness, pressure headache, felt feverish and my neck got sore!
It became so bad over the past few days I didn't think I was going to be able to work. I went to the doctor last week and she told me it sounds like a virus has been attacking my system and will treat me symptomatically. She prescribed something called Airmune which is an effervescent tablet to boost your immune system. She also gave me cataflam for pain and inflammation.
After about 2 days I suddenly started feeling normal. Just suddenly!
No more dizziness, no more brain fog, all my symptoms gone. I only felt a bit more tired than normal but its possibly still due to my body being exhausted from fighting whatever I had.
In conjunction with the above I also started eating better and exercising. Including more fruit and veggies, doing yoga etc.
My friend told me that I could've been suffering with migraines too when I had the headache etc. All I know is I just wanted to die.
The doctor also told me if it wasn't a virus, I could be having anxiety and an acute reaction to stress which she said doesn't necessarily just come from 1 event but that there is a trigger for many years of stress which I can relate to. The symptoms of anxiety are dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, brain fog (please go research this topic because you'll be surprised how strong our minds are). Don't rule out anxiety!
Many people also can't accept that nothing is wrong with them and that's exactly how anxiety plays its cards. If you still aren't sure, my doctor also recommended I see an endocrinologist to do tests on hormones and glands etc. There are so many imbalances that can really affect your bodies functions. Alternatively, you can see a physician as they also do general tests on your wellbeing and may be able to pinpoint the exact cause.
Hope you guys find a solution to make you feel normal again!
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Neurology Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Allentown, PA
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
