What can I try to help with brain fog?

[candycraash999]

So for more then 3 years I have been suffering from severe brain fog and here is a list of things I tried/want to try
tried:
guanfacine (which helped but had to stop due to side effects)
Strattera (didn't help)
wellbutrin (helped slightly but had to stop due to side effects)
what im thinking about trying:
huperzine a
low histamine diet
effexor
prolonged fasting
also I feel like my sleep is disrupted and I did a at home sleep which came negative for sleep apnea but I will try to get a in lab one since I believe that I have a problem with my sleep which contributes to my symptoms
if anyone can recommend anything I would like to hear, thanks.

 

[Wishful]

I think you'll find many people here who have had brainfog for several decades, and are still looking for that magic treatment that will reduce brainfog. The most effective treatments I've found are avoiding the foods or activities that worsen it. I definitely have foods that worsen my brainfog, and that list changes over time. I recently had to give up chocolate after many years of it not being a problem. So sad.

As for sleep, I have sleep problems, but my brainfog doesn't seem to correlate with my sleep duration or quality. I don't think my sleep quality is affected by whatever causes the brainfog to be worse either.

I do recommend keeping a food/activity/symptoms journal, as detailed as you feel comfortable with. Then if you have a reduction in brainfog or other symptom, you can look back to maybe figure out what might have been responsible. Human memory is too fallible for this. Also, pay attention to any changes, since even a small reduction in a symptom might lead to a way to a bigger reduction.

 

[hapl808]

I wish I knew. At this point it's just random trial and error. My most recent random trial is some caffeine (just black tea) and inosine. I 'think' it helps, but doesn't last long at all.

The brain fog combined with the crashes from mental exertion are by far my worst symptom, and I can't even stand up unassisted. If I could just work on cognitively demanding tasks, then at least I could still have a life.

 

[JES]

Omega-3 used to help a little bit years ago. From drugs, LDN helped at least at first. For brain inflammation, something like curcumin or one of the supplements listed in this thread might do something if your brain fog is related to that.

 

[asymmetry]

So for more then 3 years I have been suffering from severe brain fog and here is a list of things I tried/want to try
tried:
guanfacine (which helped but had to stop due to side effects)
Strattera (didn't help)
wellbutrin (helped slightly but had to stop due to side effects)
what im thinking about trying:
huperzine a
low histamine diet
effexor
prolonged fasting
also I feel like my sleep is disrupted and I did a at home sleep which came negative for sleep apnea but I will try to get a in lab one since I believe that I have a problem with my sleep which contributes to my symptoms
if anyone can recommend anything I would like to hear, thanks.

You could try Vortioxetine. Or low dose SR Methylphenidate

 

[Mary]

@candycraash999 - take a look at this thread about B12 and co-factors helping a lot with brain fog: https://forums.phoenixrising.me/thr...ovide-a-similar-dose-to-b12-injections.75317/

B12 has helped a lot of people with brain fog and this thread talks about necessary co-factors for B12.

ETA: I found liquid methylcobalamin to be more effective than B12 injections. I put it under my tongue and let it get absorbed that way, instead of swallowing. At one time I did B12 injections (self-administered) several times a week for a couple of years off and on with no noticeable benefit, but when I started using liquid methylcobalamin - high dose, 5000 - 10000 mcg a day ) I finally got an increase in energy.

So the liquid methylcobalamin might be a viable option in place of transdermal oils - I think you'd have to experiment to find out for sure.

 

[DonPepe]

The only thing that eases my brain fog is some sort of benzodiazepine. Ativan, Clonazepam etc. I have to use Lorazepam ( Ativan ) about every two or three weeks. I only take one or two tablets because it’s highly addictive. The drug gives me a few hours respite.

Abilify helps when it works. My head becomes clearer for a few weeks before tolerance builds up ( and then I have to come off it ).

I, like all of us, am still on the hunt.

 

[kushami]

Orthostatic intolerance (low blood flow to the brain when the body is upright) can play a role in brain fog.

The Bateman Horne Center website is a good resource for testing and treatment. There is written information as well as short videos and longer lectures.

The Health Rising blog has useful articles.

This series of short lectures is also helpful:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsQ0FZQ_5JXRPTXRzDZnFBNL0QJecBwAd

Numbers 25, 26 and 27 are the most relevant, although if you have any heart-related symptoms the whole series is worth watching.

 

[kushami]

A different angle:

You mentioned that guanfacine helped. Guanfacine is a vasodilator, so it’s possible that this action is what helped. You could (carefully) try some other vasodilators.

If you search the forum, there are lots of good threads on vadodilators to get you started.

(Note: If your blood pressure tends to be low, vasodilators may be contraindicated.)

 

[kangaSue]

If you happen to suffer from 'mystery' pelvic symptoms too, common iliac vein compression (a.k.a. May Thurner Syndrome - MTS) is an easily overlooked thing that doesn't appear to be well known as being a cause of both brain fog and chronic fatigue in a lot of cases of MTS.