More Than Mental Fog
Posted by Minke on Aug 06, 2010 · Member since Feb 2010 · 3503 posts
I have been having an extremely hard time thinking clearly and putting my thoughts together lately. This happens to me a lot but lately it's been really bad. The best way that I can describe it is that my brain feels like it's asleep even when I'm awake. I'm having a hard time remembering some things, putting sentences together, piecing together thoughs, thinking clearly.....it's like I'm fighting against something just to think. Anyone have any ideas?
Edit: It also has nothing to do with my sleeping habits. This has been going on no matter how much, less or depth of sleep I've had.
I have been having an extremely hard time thinking clearly and putting my thoughts together lately. This happens to me a lot but lately it's been really bad. The best way that I can describe it is that my brain feels like it's asleep even when I'm awake. I'm having a hard time remembering some things, putting sentences together, piecing together thoughs, thinking clearly.....it's like I'm fighting against something just to think. Anyone have any ideas?
Edit: It also has nothing to do with my sleeping habits. This has been going on no matter how much, less or depth of sleep I've had.
This exactly... I bought some vegan DHA and ALA (Omegas) I'm gonna start taking them once my multivitamin runs out in a few weeks... I feel exactly the same way you're describing but it has gotten better since remembering to at least take my multivitamin
A lot of things can affect your brain: stress, anemia, hormones and other chemical imbalances in the blood or brain itself... Start by looking at your schedule and relationships and see if you can pinpoint any trouble spots you can remedy yourself. Several years ago I realised I just needed to learn to say NO once in awhile. I was a great one to "shake my head and say yes". It was "oh anna will do it". Particularly in community, I kept getting told that since I don't have kids, I have time to do whatever!! I was worn out all the time. I needed to wake up to the fact that other people say no to me all the time, and I survive. So will they! They really, really didn't like it at first but they have learned.
I also had to cut a couple of really negative relationships adrift. Along with the "yes-yabbit syndrome" I realised that a couple of my "friends" were only friends as long as they could use me for their convenience. They were never there for me. Or they would use me as a crying towel, a place to vent all their negativity. One person in particular, I had to realise that no-one else wanted to be around her because she was such a negative, angry, whiny downer. Letting that one go was such a relief!! Getting rid of unnecessary sources of stress will help a lot and take a weight off your mind and spirit.
How long is it since you've had a physical with blood/urine workup? When I finally got one was when I discovered that I was low thyroid, which carries with it "brain fog" and backwards speech sometimes. They gave me the meds for that and also ginko biloba which really helps with the "brain asleep" syndrome.
I know that in the US if you don't have health insurance getting simple tests can be costly, but I hope this is something you can do.
I get that mental fog quite frequently too, just as you described. I eat tons of healthy food and take a vegan multivitamin. I recently added a B12 supplement (cause i wasn't getting enough from my multivitamin) and a DHA supplement (upon researching more). It's been about a month since taking both and i feel the same. Still get the mental fog. Can't imagine what is causing it. Maybe my birthcontrol pill of 10 years???? If you don't already, i'd try the DHA supplment.
I would think about having your thyroid checked. I was a total mess until I started taking a very non-vegetarian thyroid supplement called "raw thyroid".
It is gross, it is an animal thyroid, but, heck it really really works in helping me feel better. I have heard there is a prescription non-animal thyroid support out there, but I have a terrible fear of needles, so I just take the over the counter stuff.
Also, I have found that consuming too much soy adds to me feeling like there is estrogen overload in my system which can leave you fuzzy in the head, so I have cut really back on the soy and use wild yam cream.
Both the low thyroid and high hormone levels seem to have given me brain fog.
Hey, thanks everyone! I'm sorry, I had totally forgotten about this thread! I think when I come back home I will talk to my doctor about my thyroid, a LOT of people have been suggesting that. I also wonder if it has something to do with low-iron levels? Last time I had my iron checked it was fine but it was kind of a while ago and I'm thinking maybe that has something to do with it?
I have used a DHA suppliment and I have to say that I saw no difference and in fact I was feeling worse around that time but stress may have been a factor. I have been really stressed out lately and my hair has been falling out which is really starting to worry me. Also, maybe I need to add a separate B12 suppliment? There used to be some in the B- Complex that I was taking but I haven't really been using it lately so I don't think I'm getting any B12 at all. I was thinking of getting a B12 suppliment that you spray under the tongue.
Falling hair is another thyroid symptom...particularly if you are losing the sides of your eyebrows, and your pubic hair as well as the hair on your head. And fragile, brittle nails.
Three major thyroid symptoms: always tired, always cold, always hungry. The "brain fog" is part of the tiredness. I get hungry and then when the food is there I take about two bites and don't want anymore. That's why my nutritionist recommended I eat every 2-3 hrs, small portions.