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!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

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)

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!

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

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

dorisena | @dorisena | Dec 17, 2020

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

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

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)

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

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! 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)

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)

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!

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?

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

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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