1. < Autoimmune Diseases

Not sure what's causing brain fog, anxiety, hormonal imbalance?

Posted by catcr505 @catcr505, Dec 16, 2020

Hello, I'm Cat, 19 years old. I may be posting in the wrong section but I thought I'd give it a shot. I am at a great weight for my height (154 lb, 5'9") , over all healthy and happy college student currently getting my nursing degree.

In October of 2019, I was standing in my kitchen and suddenly needed to sit down; not like dizziness but I felt very out of it. I figured I had too much coffee and went to sleep. However, I woke up the next morning and still felt that way. The best way to describe it is feeling 'high', everything feels very smooth, dull. Due to the fact that it mimics the effect of being intoxicated, I didn't drive, leave my dorm and ended up having to see a therapist because it was brought with a lot of depression and anxiety. I ended not driving for about 4 months, February 2020.

During that period I was seeing every doctor I could think of and getting every test they recommended from a full physical, blood tests, several thyroid tests as I have Hashimoto's, EKG, lots of therapy and everything was coming back normal. I eventually met with a neurologist who dismissed this as a neurological issue but did mention my Kyleena hormonal IUD I got back in June of 2019. It made sense in my head as my period did normalize in October when this 'brain fog' started and that was the only new thing I had added to my life.

Flash forward to November 4, 2020, I finally got my IUD removed after finding an article on Buzzworthy titled "My Hormonal IUD Ruined A Year Of My Life" . It was the only thing that explained my symptoms to a T, the only difference was a different brand of IUD and I have not experienced any form of disassociation/derealization. I wish I could say things got better after this but they actually got much worse. My symptoms intensified, feeling 'high' seemed to get worse, my anxiety has gotten to the point where all that helps is a .5 mg of Lorazapam and sleeping. I had to quit my job and move back home with my mom because living alone and not being able to leave my house was both impossible and unnecessary when it came to my anxiety.

I understand that this may be a hormonal imbalance and I have been taking the appropriate measures to try to get them back on track by taking my Levothyroxine everyday, for my thyroid, which I always have, Zoloft and Lorazapam to help cope with my current situation, a low dose birth control pill, Magnesium, and Vitamin D3. I have also been eating a low-carb diet and trying to get on an appropriate sleep schedule. Although I feel very out of it all the time, cognitively I feel the same. Nothing has changed in my mobility, my memory is fine; I was able to complete 2 semesters in college with an A,B average and i have not displayed or felt any form of psychosis.

Anyway, is there anyone else who has had an experience similar to this and has gotten through it? Also, is there any form of treatment I could be doing to help rebalance my hormones faster? I know naturally is the way to go but with the amount of anxiety and depression this has brought, it feels impossible to wait 3-4 months to get back to normal, at 19 almost 20, I see much more of myself than living in my bed and dreading the next day ahead. I have considered going on a higher dose birth control that I have used before that did not cause any side effects but is that a good idea?

I appreciate whoever takes the time to read this, I know it's long and confusing. Additionally, if you do share the same story I feel for you and know that everyday is an uphill battle but you're not alone!
Thanks!

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catcr505 | @catcr505 | Dec 16, 2020
In reply to @dorisena "I was young and had children before there was birth control and i remember the problems..." + (show)
@dorisena

I was young and had children before there was birth control and i remember the problems that women had with the first treatments and doses. It seems to be a hormonal problem, as you say. I had some experience with Zanax which I took at bedtime before my husband died, and that got me through a difficult period. I tried a couple of the drugs you mentioned and never got past two pills before I gave them up. In my middle ages I took a different regimen suggested by my gynocologist and could not tolerate Progesterone, so I took estrogen for ten years until they declared that not a good regimen anymore. My main feeling is that when you have unsatisfactory experience with these drugs it is best to return to a holistic, more normal lifestyle. I believe in a balanced diet and sunshine for developing vitamin D, as well as finding a mental health style that meets your needs. You decide what is best for you. I am glad you are living at home because that should help create a stable time for you. Sorry I can't think of any ideas to help, but my long life hasn't figured everything yet. Hormones are a difficult part of our body to maintain, expecially when pregnant and the body is kicking out up to ten times the normal insulin to grow a baby. I know about that because I vomited through three pregnancies and tried every trick offered to me. We are still looking for answers, it seems. Dorisena

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Hi Dorisena,
Thanks for replying and sharing your story with me, I'm stories you had to go through all of that. I agree with you when it comes to holistic healing and doing it naturally, I'm just not in a stable enough state to do it for 3 to 4 months. I can't imagine the stress your body goes through with hormones during pregnancy either, best of luck to you and your kids and safety during these crazy times!

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2 replies
barcodebill | @barcodebill | Dec 17, 2020

**Moderator's note***
This message was removed. Always consult with a medical professional before taking any medications or chemicals.

Please see:
- Community Guidelines: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/
- Safety and medical advice online: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/disclaimer/

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 17, 2020

Always consult with a medical professional before taking medications, vaginal suppositories or vaginal cleanses.

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1 reply
dorisena | @dorisena | Dec 17, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "Always consult with a medical professional before taking medications, vaginal suppositories or vaginal cleanses." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Always consult with a medical professional before taking medications, vaginal suppositories or vaginal cleanses.

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I report some of my home remedies, for sharing ideas, but I agree with Colleen that a person should always consult with a medical professional before taking medications. Everyone is a little different in makeup and health, it seems. I know enough about herbs and plants that different growing years can mean different strengths of remedies. We know that some wine years are better than others.
So different plants produce differences and then different people can react differently. Dorisena

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ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Dec 17, 2020
In reply to @catcr505 "Hi Elizabeth, thanks for replying! That's a great idea, I reached out to the clinic in..." + (show)
@catcr505

Hi Elizabeth, thanks for replying! That's a great idea, I reached out to the clinic in AZ and they have appointments as soon as January so thank you for that! I'll update you soon!

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Wonderful!!!!! Please keep us updated for sure! Also, I'd love to know about the Arizona Mayo. Hope it goes very well! This is your Christmas gift to yourself.......blessings, Elizabeth

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Sundance(RB) | @sundance6 | Dec 20, 2020
In reply to @catcr505 "Hi Dorisena, Thanks for replying and sharing your story with me, I'm stories you had to..." + (show)
@catcr505

Hi Dorisena,
Thanks for replying and sharing your story with me, I'm stories you had to go through all of that. I agree with you when it comes to holistic healing and doing it naturally, I'm just not in a stable enough state to do it for 3 to 4 months. I can't imagine the stress your body goes through with hormones during pregnancy either, best of luck to you and your kids and safety during these crazy times!

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catcr505! I also live in New Mexico, ABQ,Unfortuantely our state and medical hospitals and doctors are often said to be the worst in the country.
I am a Preys. patient. I've had Chronic Late Stage Lyme Disease for over 2 1/2 years. Have seen every department trying to find help for it. Infectious disease dept. refused to even see me because we live in NM and we don't have ticks here!
They didn't even ask where I had been in my lifetime.
I've played golf all over the country, fished from New England to the Mexico boarder in places that have tick populations!
Because of friends and family experiences at UNMH, I would never go there for Medical help! When I have been asked by amubulance driver where I wanted to be taken I say Preys. or Lovelace!

Really sad we have to leave the state to get proper medicalattention!
Sundance (RB)

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stephboy5 | @stephboy5 | Mar 17, 2021
In reply to @catcr505 "Hi Elizabeth, thanks for replying! That's a great idea, I reached out to the clinic in..." + (show)
@catcr505

Hi Elizabeth, thanks for replying! That's a great idea, I reached out to the clinic in AZ and they have appointments as soon as January so thank you for that! I'll update you soon!

Jump to this post

Please do let us know. I came across this when googling my issues and you are the first person I've come across that has an IUD. Hashimotos and my same symptoms! I'm being told my memory loss which is quickly getting worse over the past two years but especially the past six months is just due to anxiety... When really the anxiety is coming from my memory loss. And a clean MRI! Very frustrating. Would greatly appreciate your insight!

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Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Mar 17, 2021

Hello and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect @stephboy5. Thank you for joining this conversation and sharing your story back with @catcr505 so the pair of you can continue to support one another and share your experience.

Can I ask what you are being advised to do regarding your memory loss?

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dorisena | @dorisena | Mar 17, 2021

There is a doctor in Texas who has written a book on preventing memory loss with natural methods including diet and exercise. It is in Austin, Texas. He is associated with Dr. Merritt, the diabetes guru who has books available as well. Some doctors are now associating type two diabetes with Alzheimer's and calling it diabetes type 3. This is worth considering at some point. My late husband's untreated diabetes led to dementia before he died of cancer.
I have been working on my short term memory issues for many years now and am slowing the decline. I do two Sudoku puzzles a day. I like math. Dorisena

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ga29 | @ga29 | Mar 18, 2021

I came across your post as well, am interested in your search for solutions to your health issues! I am now in my late sixties, but remember well all the problems I had when I went on the pill in my twenties, then switched to an iud to get away from the hormones. What a bad decision that was, I had issues with pain and mood highs and lows, worse than the pill!
I ended up having it removed, got pregnant (best thing ever!) and found a birth control pill eventually that I could tolerate. I think you must be careful with what you put in your body, and if it helps you, take full advantage of it, if you have problems, think of what your recent changes are. You’ve done that, you’re on your way to better health. I had terrible memory issues that were determined to be from my nerve meds. Terrible depression and anxiety, caused from my lumbar pain. Fix the main issues and some of the other things will resolve themselves.
Wishing you all the best !

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