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Not sure what's causing brain fog, anxiety, hormonal imbalance?
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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This discussion is bringing back memories of how I coped years ago with stressful and biological health issues. I remember I took Zoloft to get through a chemistry class at age 48 so I could graduate, something I had no opportunity for when I was young. I went to a gynocologist for hormone problems in my sixties and could not do well on his program of estrogen and progesterone, which made me upset and almost violent for a week each month. I took estrogen for ten years after that until I was told to stop cold turkey because of the fear it caused cancer. I had one miserable month. I never took birth control pills because in the sixties when it was first on the market it caused strokes and nausea which was severe for me when I was pregnant with three children.
I eventually learned why pregnancy makes nausea and it has to do with insulin production in order to grow the baby. Exercise helps with that problem.
I tried antidepressants for stress and nothing lasted very long before I gave them up. My main take away from all this is that diet and exercise and avoiding a stressful life is the key to good health, not pills. I stayed in a stressful life when I should have left and preserved my self esteem. I know different regimens work differently depending on the biological issue and the mental stress of lifestyles that are abusive. I survived and am learning to thrive. My tired body will never feel at optimum but I can control many health issues that improve my daily living. It all starts with an attitude of believing you deserve fair play and good health information from your doctors and providers, along with some work on you own part. I went to college in my forties to learn how to care for myself. I remain a student to this day and learn a helpful hint every now and then which makes sense for me. I hope I am supportive of your journey.
Dorisena
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2 ReactionsHi there! My name is Leah and I just read your story and my jaw dropped because I have the exact same symptoms to you almost to a T!!! I got the Kyleena in Dec 2017 to help with heavy periods and balance my mood. It only made things worse my periods didn’t ever normalize and I had spells of anxiety and depression. I just most recently got it taken out this Feb 2021, and I have had brain fog every day which causes high anxiety and some depression. I’m on a leave of absence from work, moved in with my mom, and it’s hard for me to get out and drive. Today is 3 months post IUD removal and I’m just praying and hoping these symptoms get better ASAP!!! Makes me feel better that I’m not the only one this is happened to but I’m so sorry you are dealing with this because it’s the worst feeling ever. If you ever wanna connect and talk about it I’m down. I pray for you that you feel better soon!
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1 ReactionWelcome, Leah!
I'm tagging @catcr505 to help make sure she sees your message.
I'm so sorry to hear that you are still suffering from brain fog and resulting anxiety and depression 3 months post IUD removal. Have you sought any medical help or counselling? This must be so hard to deal with and for others around you to understand.
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3 ReactionsHello everyone in this discussion group,
Whenever I see posts like this I begin to wonder if the parathyroid hormone levels have been checked. Hyperparathyroidism is not a common diagnosis and many doctors do not even check for it when the symptoms are present. It has been known to cause fatigue, feelings of being unwell, forgetfulness, osteopenia, kidney stones, just to mention a few and it can happen at any age.
Sometimes folks don't even know they have parathyroid. These four glands are located near the thyroid but have a different role in the body's hormonal system. Here is some information about this disorder. If you feel you have enough of these symptoms you might ask your doctor to check both the parathyroid hormone levels as well as the calcium levels.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperparathyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20356194
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2 ReactionsI have had every test out there, and extremely healthy, not. It took awhile to find everything but boy do I have the mother load. I knew I always had MS, it took 16 years many doctors said no until I found the right one. Look I have have fibro since 84 and ignored it. Its the only way to get thru all the pain. I have 4 rare diseases. But I am still here. Keep looking.
Hi Cat, Good Afternoon
As Becky has informed we are a group of people sharing experiences, not doctors.
Very recently, I have read a book called Brave New Medicine – A Doctor’s Unconventional Path To Healing Her Autoimmune Disease from Cynthia LI, MD. As you have initially posted your message in the autoimmune disease group of Mayo Clinic Connect, I understand that there is a possibility that you have an autoimmune disease, right? Many of the symptoms you have shared with us here are mentioned by Cynthia Li in her book. She also did not know what she had at the beginning. Again, I am not a doctor, it is just a suggestion that might help you.
Though I do not have an autoimmune disease, this has brought me several reflections on my epilepsy. I definitely recommend this book.
If this interests you, on Cynthia Li’s website and YouTube you can find an interview about her healing journey.
Best of luck!
Santosha
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2 Reactions@anniemaggie You said that it took a while to diagnose MS and you also have fibromyalgia. What is your treatment for both?
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1 Reaction@catcr505 Hi Cat, You are much too young to be going through this. I’m also trying to get back on my feet and normal life after 6 months with no answers. My Condition is quite different from yours, though.
I remember in my 20’s, Many years ago, birth control made me feel very high. I quit taking them right away and felt normal again. I also had terrible anxiety at that age also. Have you tried vitamins and healthy eating? Lots of fruits and veggies and water? Thinking of you and hope you get back to being healthy.
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1 ReactionHi @catcr505 ! I feel like I am going through the exact same thing and I’m debating to get my IUD out (i havw kyleena). Which one did you have?
Have you felt better since removing? I’m scared of the side effects after removing.
Hope you are well.
I believe modern life is an issue for both. Stress, processed foods, and resting because you are sick do you no good. A good writer to read is Terry Wahl's: she has a diet and also very insightful writings about autoimmune. Dr Wahl made large changes to her life and got out of a wheelchair and back to good functioning. You might not go "all the way," but her ideas have had the benefit of robust testing and have helped many.
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