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Cognitive impairment, memory issues, increasing anxiety.
Let me preface my question by saying that I am a 22 year old male who exercises and lifts 3 days a week. My diet is not the best but I stay away from junk food and sweets. It has remained largely unchanged for the last 7 months. I am not sure exactly when my problems, the best I can guess is around September 2016. The Tuesday after Thanksgiving was day one for my records. I noticed from then on out the feelings of being lethargic, spaced out, foggy (“brain fog”), and lightheaded with some unfocused or dazed visual problems. These problems have persisted in one way or another ever since. While I am not sure if they were caused by anxiety and depression, I certainly feel those now as well.
I have been under a certain amount of stress since summer, nothing I felt I was not able to handle though. I had finally tapered off the Zoloft I had taken for 4 years through college in mid July and was feeling good without it despite the withdrawal effects that ceased after a few weeks. I had also recently started working in a bakery at the end of September. My work hours are a little skewed. I work Monday (8am-4), off Tuesday, Wednesday (5am-1), Thursday (8am-4), and Friday (6am to 2). I try to get at least 6 hours of sleep every night, with less than 6 on rare occasions given my random work schedule. At this point the worst thing for me is the brain fog as it is causing cognitive impairment and memory issues that I absolutely cannot be having at a time like this (I am trying to get a full time job).
I currently take a multivitamin, omega-3, and magnesium glycinate. I have also had the following tests and results.
November 30th 2016
Na 140 mmol/L 134-144
K 4.4 mmol/L 3.6-5.2
Cl 102 mm/L 98-108
CO2 28.2 mmol/L 21.0-32.0
BUN 18mg/dL 7-25
Crea 1.1 mg/dL 0.6-1.3
Glucose 85 mg/dL 70-105
CA 104 mg/dL 8.6-10.5
TSH 5.22 uIU/mL 0.34-5.60
Hepatic normal except:
T Bili 1.23 mg/dL 0.30-1.00
D Bili 0.23 mg/dL 0.03-0.24
IBIL 1.00 mg/dL 0.00-0.70
CBC/Auto Diff normal
December 20th 2016
ANA <1.40
Vitamin B12 668 130-770
C-Reactive <0.3 <5.0
Lyme Antibody – none found
Sed Rate 3 0-15
EEG normal
MRI normal
January 3rd 2017
TSH 2.48 0.40-4.50 mIU/L
T4, FREE 1.2 0.8-1.8
T3,FREE 3.3 2.3-4.2
Vitamin D 34 30-100
I have stopped seeing the neurologist who ordered the second blood test. Her final comments were to get consistent sleep and to take Zoloft again for the anxiety. I have been taking the Zoloft to relieve me of my anxiety and depression, however I am still concerned there is an underlying issue that I have to address. I have checked my room for carbon monoxide and have been testing myself for sleep apnea using an oximeter. I understand this only addresses severe cases but it would take a while to get another doctor’s appointment. That being said I have also ordered another calcium test along with a PTH and testosterone to eliminate further potential threats. Does anyone who can interpret my results have any other ideas? I appreciate your time greatly.
I have been under a certain amount of stress since summer, nothing I felt I was not able to handle though. I had finally tapered off the Zoloft I had taken for 4 years through college in mid July and was feeling good without it despite the withdrawal effects that ceased after a few weeks. I had also recently started working in a bakery at the end of September. My work hours are a little skewed. I work Monday (8am-4), off Tuesday, Wednesday (5am-1), Thursday (8am-4), and Friday (6am to 2). I try to get at least 6 hours of sleep every night, with less than 6 on rare occasions given my random work schedule. At this point the worst thing for me is the brain fog as it is causing cognitive impairment and memory issues that I absolutely cannot be having at a time like this (I am trying to get a full time job).
I currently take a multivitamin, omega-3, and magnesium glycinate. I have also had the following tests and results.
November 30th 2016
Na 140 mmol/L 134-144
K 4.4 mmol/L 3.6-5.2
Cl 102 mm/L 98-108
CO2 28.2 mmol/L 21.0-32.0
BUN 18mg/dL 7-25
Crea 1.1 mg/dL 0.6-1.3
Glucose 85 mg/dL 70-105
CA 104 mg/dL 8.6-10.5
TSH 5.22 uIU/mL 0.34-5.60
Hepatic normal except:
T Bili 1.23 mg/dL 0.30-1.00
D Bili 0.23 mg/dL 0.03-0.24
IBIL 1.00 mg/dL 0.00-0.70
CBC/Auto Diff normal
December 20th 2016
ANA <1.40
Vitamin B12 668 130-770
C-Reactive <0.3 <5.0
Lyme Antibody – none found
Sed Rate 3 0-15
EEG normal
MRI normal
January 3rd 2017
TSH 2.48 0.40-4.50 mIU/L
T4, FREE 1.2 0.8-1.8
T3,FREE 3.3 2.3-4.2
Vitamin D 34 30-100
I have stopped seeing the neurologist who ordered the second blood test. Her final comments were to get consistent sleep and to take Zoloft again for the anxiety. I have been taking the Zoloft to relieve me of my anxiety and depression, however I am still concerned there is an underlying issue that I have to address. I have checked my room for carbon monoxide and have been testing myself for sleep apnea using an oximeter. I understand this only addresses severe cases but it would take a while to get another doctor’s appointment. That being said I have also ordered another calcium test along with a PTH and testosterone to eliminate further potential threats. Does anyone who can interpret my results have any other ideas? I appreciate your time greatly.
Do you or have you ever taken a Benzo, like Klonopin, Zanx, Valium???
Was the Zoloft helping you?
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