Brain Fog, Tinnitus & Feeling Weak

Hi,
I have seldom gotten more than 4 hours sleep per night, that in it's self is debilitating enough. After a life time of this and 12 years of those symptoms and many more it really eats at you, which dosen't help at all. I have had lots of diagnoses most of which have proven to be incorrect until this year, when I had a diagnosis of autonomic polyheuropathy. Finally knowing I was not going crazy was the biggest help I have had.
There can be many causes for these symptoms. A full blood work up would be my first step if it hasn't happened yet. Such things as vitamin B12 deficiency can contribute to those symptoms. A chemical imbalance in the brain can cause many issues. This can be a reflection of what we eat. There is no substitute for a balanced diet and mild exercise. The only way to get answers is to keep pushing for them until you are satisfied. Many times I have gotten to the point of giving up and considered suicide. The endless struggle with medical people who just don't appreciate your situation or understand just how devastating this can be to deal with confounds me. I often wish they had to live a week of my life.
Now I don't care how many black marks are on my file, I will not give up and will always push for the help I require, no matter what. I am my greatest advocator, as we each are, use it to get the help required, what is there to loose, everything to gain.
Cheers

livmelissa123,
Your brother is lucky to have you in his corner. Cheyenne did an awesome job of describing life when you have multiple symptoms. The only thing I would add is that, for many people like this, life is a living hell.
Being an advocate for yourself, if you even have the energy to do so, is terrific. For 17 years I have tracked all that hurts, helps, meds taken (to be sure not to over use the meds, for myself) and to prove to doctors that I don't overuse, my sleep hrs, if I got any, my poop and pee. Every single bit of my life, to see if I can find a connection between any of my issues. I still would recommend it, but all it proves is that my body and brain are screwy and there is nothing any doctor will commit to treating. I love cheyne and her positivity, go forward and advocate for your brother. As for me, I think I better not post anymore because I'm losing my fight and I don't want to share my negativity with others.

YOU GO GIRL, KEEP YOUR POSITIVE ATTITUDE. I wish you all the best in being your own advocate. This isn't easy but it is very important. Your upbeat response was spot on ‼️

@livmelissa123

I had similar symptoms. I was diagnosed with cervical spondylotic myelopathy which is spinal cord compression injury and had ACDF surgery. I had headaches, neck/shoulder pain, weakness in arms/hands/legs/feet, etc.

Your brother needs a cervical MRI done by an orthopedic spine specialist and have testing done by a neurologist if he hasn’t already been to one. Was his MRI of his brain? Has he had extensive bloodwork done? Was he ever tested for sleep apnea? I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Your brother should avoid chiropractors and neck adjustments until he gets assessed by an orthopedic spine specialist/surgeon. Damage to spinal cord can be permanent.

Everyone is spot on about being your own advocate. It is amazing to me the cavalier attitude of the medical profession now days. Don't make them like they used to. And on target about delaying chiropractic work until all labs and diagnostics have been done. That can cause a whole lot of problems.!

Hi,
It appears to me that there has been a shift away from doctoring as a vocation to merely a job. On the rare occassion you strike a doctor who is interested in helping, things can move forward. Otherwise you tend to be sent in circles never going forward but always getting the nod of concern and the platitudes with little else, other than a big bill! I wonder if they are afraid to make a diagnosis incase it comes back to bit them on the bumb. I guess that would be akin to PN!
I get tired of the same answers everytime, of no use and usually telling me what I don't have. Wouldn't it be brilliant if someone would actually tell me what I do have. I now take every opportunity I get to challenge the utterances of doctors to me. I no longer see them a "God", correct in everything they say and try to do for me.
My usual visit is to ask why and for what reason am I being sent on this path. Then it is home to visit Dr Google in the hope what I have just been told rings true, followed by a search for side effects of any medicine prescribed to me. Power is being informed.
Stangely enough I do better off all meds, but then life expectance is shortend which is my trade off. I have discoverd many times I do better off meds but the Dr panics with the disgusting test results I return. I often wonder if the best position to adopt is head in the sand, it is definitely less painful and I'm oblivious to the dangers I'm courting.
Despite trying to stay positive there are times when the thoughts of ending it all become the lessor of the two evils, a sure way of a final cure and relief from the never ending struggle. A struggle that I should add is not curable and has no known treatment and I still find it hard to accept. It is just when these thought occur to me that I'm informed I have depression and should see a shrink. They totally ignor that it is anger and frustration driving the search for relief, something only help can aliviate, the help I'm not getting, yet I always hope for.
On this basis I don't care which Dr gets a mouth full of my venom, what have I got to loose, no help! Hell I'm there already, so anything else surely has to be a plus. As time goes by I have noticed I am becoming more assertive and agressive towards the "help" I'm being given. I know it is meant with the best on intensions but tangable help would go a long way to ease the situation.
As you might guess I'm not so positive today, the frustration is building yet again. My only options are to keep fighting an impossible fight or give up, something inside of won't give up as much as I would like to. So the fight goes on in the vain hope something changes or nature finally takes me without my having to help it.
That is my rather slanted take on my life.
Yet another day ahead to deal with, one day at a time. I'd like to say one foot infront of the other, but that would only be if the Autonimic polyneuropathy decides I can do that today! Who knows tomorrow may be a better day, wait this one out and see. Thinking positively, it will be a better day tomorrow. A glimmer of hope is all it takes to be positive.
Cheers

The brain fog could be a symptom of sleep apnea in which you quit breathing multiple times a night which lowers your oxygen and wakes you up so sleep is very interrupted and leaves you feeling weak and tired next day. Usually accompanied by snoring. Has he been checked for that? The tinnitus plus brain fog and weakness could also indicate a possible autoimmune inner ear disorder. An ENT would check that out. Those are the 2 things I would check out if they have not been considered already. The ear disorder can cause vertigo and hearing loss as well. There are serious consequences of untreated sleep apnea, so identifying both of these with early treatment is important. Good luck and it’s nice you are advocating for him, trying to help!

I have Brain fog, tinnitus and feel weak every day. Nothing seems to help. Getting desperate.