Treating Cognitive Dysfunction (Brain Fog) in CFS & Fibromyalgia

[Guest guest]

Treating Cognitive Dysfunction ( " Brain Fog " ) in CFS & Fibromyalgia

_http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_c/CFS_FM-treating_brain_fog.html_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_c/CFS_FM-treating_brain_fog.html)

 

 

Brain fog is very common in CFS/FMS, and presents as: 1. Horrible short

term memory, 2. Difficulty with word finding and word substitution

(e.g., substituting the word " fork " for " knife, " or your neighbor's name for

your

husband's name—not a Freudian slip in CFS), and 3. Approximately 30%

of those with CFS/FMS have episodic disorientation lasting ~ 30-60 seconds.

This often occurs when driving or even turning down a supermarket aisle. It can

feel scary, but is not dangerous. Though you may not know where you are (or

are going) people seem able to drive or walk safely till it passes. This can

also manifest as briefly not recognizing common objects or names (even of

children).

Brain fog can sometimes be the scariest part of the illness for some—

especially professionals that had been functioning at a very high level. Though

standard testing will often not pick up the problem (nor is it designed to), in

some cases the brain fog makes it hard or even impossible to continue one's

job. In other cases, brain fog can be mild.

The good news is that brain fog tends to resolve with treatment along with

the pain and fatigue. In this week's feature article, we will discuss the key

treatments that can help you to get your brain back!

Where do I start?

Poor energy production in the brain, with associated alterations in blood

flow (e.g., to the sides of the brain where the speech centers are) as well as

alterations in neurotransmitters (brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine,

adrenaline or acetylcholine), blood pressure, or blood sugar can all

contribute to your brain fog. Because of this, the overall " _SHINE Protocol_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/treatment_options/Shine_treatment_protocol.html) " is

very

helpful for brain fog as well as CFS/FMS. Let's look at the key issues and

treatments. 1. Sleep—Getting your 8 hours of sleep a night is critical,

but

make sure your sleep, pain or other medications are NOT the cause of your

feeling foggy the next day. Add natural treatments at bedtime like melatonin

(1/2-1 mg), calcium and magnesium, and the _Revitalizing Sleep Formula_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/supplements/sleep-formula-90/) . These

are

less likely to cause brain fog and will lower the amount of medications needed.

Work with your doctor to leave off 1 of your sleep medications each night as

well, to see if any of them are leaving you hung over/foggy the next day.

If so, play with the medications and doses to find a mix that works with less

next day sedation. Using a low dose of several sleep (or pain) medications is

more effective and has fewer side effects than a high dose of 1 or 2

medications. For more information on how to get a good night's sleep, see

_Sleep and

Insomnia_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_r-s/Sleep-sleep_and_insomnia.html) .

Explore the role, also, of any other medications which may be

sedating. 2. Optimize Thyroid function by adjusting the thyroid type and

dose based on your symptoms, using only the Free T4 blood test to make sure

you are staying in the normal range for safety. Do not let your doctor use the

TSH test to monitor treatment in CFS/FMS. It is not reliable in this illness

and you will be undertreated and brain foggy. Some people do better taking

part (or all) of their thyroid dose at bedtime. For more on treating thyroid

problems, see _Thyroid Hormone Deficiency—An Overview_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_d-e/Diet-thyroid_hormone_deficiency.h\

tml)

_http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_d-e/Diet-thyroid_hormone_deficiency.h\

tml_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_d-e/Diet-thyroid_hormone_deficiency.h\

tml)

3. In men, optimize testosterone; and in women, estrogen and

progesterone. If you get irritable when hungry, optimize adrenal support, as

recurrent

low blood sugar also can trigger brain fog. 4. If you have nasal

congestion or sinusitis or irritable bowel syndrome (gas, bloating, diarrhea or

constipation) you likely have Candida/yeast overgrowth, and this can leave you

VERY foggy. This is discussed in my book, _From Fatigued to Fantastic!_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/publications/from-fatigued-to-fan/)

(and I

will do a newsletter article on Candida soon), but the key is to take the

medication Diflucan 200 mg a day for 6-12 weeks while avoiding sugar and taking

_Acidophilus Pearls_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/supplements/probiotic-pearls-90/) and

_Anti-Yeast herbals_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/supplements/anti-yeast/) . 5.

Optimize nutritional support

with the _Energy Revitalization System_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/supplements/berry-splash/) and

_Ribose (Corvalen)_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/supplements/corvalen-d-ribose/) . Ask

your physician if you

can have a series of B12 shots (1,000-5,000 mcg of the hydroxycobalmin form of

B12 each few days for a total of 15 doses, then as needed). People can

often learn to give their own B12 shots. At the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue

Centers

we use special " Energy Injections " that are very helpful. If you have dry

eyes, dry mouth or depression, add 1 teaspoon of _fish oil_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/supplements/eskimo-3-fish-oil-li/) a

day or 3-4 servings

of tuna or salmon each week. 6. Stay hydrated. If your mouth or lips

are dry, you're dehydrated. It's amazing how the mind can clear a lot

sometimes after simply drinking a glass of cool water. Getting fresh air and

sunshine

(in moderation—don't burn) can also help. 7. So called " Energy Drinks "

loaded with caffeine and sugar are loan sharks—avoid them. Instead, drink

1-2 cups of tea (made from real tea bags or leaves—not the powdered/bottled

stuff loaded with sugar). This is often enough to jump start your brain in a

healthy way without crashing you later, and the antioxidants in 1-2 cups of tea

a day help your CFS and overall health as well. Avoid the caffeine after 2 pm

so it won't disrupt sleep.

Treatments for Symptom Relief

While you are instituting the treatments above (and if your physician is not

familiar with the illness, see a _Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Center_

(http://www.fibroandfatigue.com/) physician who knows how to help you), here

are a

few treatments that can offer symptomatic relief: 1. Dexedrine or Ritalin—

Though these amphetamine family medications are markedly overused in

hyperactive kids, they are UNDERUSED in CFS. These medications actually can

help

restore balance in CFS/FMS by raising dopamine levels and brain wave frequency

to

normal, stabilizing low blood pressure and autonomic dysfunction and

decreasing the tendency to sleep apnea by causing weight loss. Most adults find

5-12.5

mg each morning to be optimal. Younger patients (under 22 years old) often

find they need higher doses (I generally do not prescribe over 30 mg a day),

though the reason for this is not clear. I suspect, though, that it is

because younger patients have more autonomic dysfunction. 2. _Remember_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/supplements/remember-mental-shar/)

—This

nutrient and herbal mix can be very helpful for brain fog, and is worth using

first, but frankly the Dexedrine is more effective for brain fog. It is worth

trying though and can even be combined with the Dexedrine for optimal

effect. Take 2 capsules a day, which contains (per 2 capsules):

Vitamin

B6 (as pyridoxine HCl)

15 mg

Folic Acid

800 mcg

Vitamin B12 (as cyanocobalamin)

500 mcg

Alpha Lipoic Acid

600 mg

Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri); Aerial Part Extract standardized to contain

20% bacosides

300 mg

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) Leaf Extract; standardized to contain 24%

ginkgoflavonglycosides, 6% terpene lactones, and 2% bilobalide

120 mg

 

Give all of the above treatments 6 weeks to fully kick in. Even though some

of these help within days, natural treatments often take 6 weeks to heal the

systems involved so you can feel better.

Like fibromyalgia pain, brain fog responds well to treatment. The problem is

largely that most physicians are simply not trained in these illnesses. Most

of these treatments can be done on your own, and you can ask your physician

to assist with those requiring a prescription. If they refuse, get a

consultation with a _Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Center (FFC)_

(http://www.fibroandfatigue.com/) physician. In addition, though usually not as

well trained in CFS/FMS

as the FFC doctors, _Holistic physicians_ (http://www.holisticboard.org/)

are often familiar with these treatments as well.

You can get back both your life—and your mind!

L & B

Dr. T

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Dr T, I have had a mold exposure from (Stacky, Penn & Asper) which

are 3 bad molds to be breathing which had made me ill and super

hypersensitive to mold and Chems. It has also compromised my immune

system and I am now multiply chemically sensitive, MCS. Any thoughts

on Detoxing or a protocal for this as the symptoms are similar at

times and I guess some doctors mistakenly diagnose Mold Illness for

CFS.Thanks Bob

 

,

bestsurprise2002 wrote:

>

> Treating Cognitive Dysfunction ( " Brain Fog " ) in CFS & Fibromyalgia

> _http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_c/CFS_FM-

treating_brain_fog.html_

> (http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_c/CFS_FM-

treating_brain_fog.html)

>

>

> Brain fog is very common in CFS/FMS, and presents as: 1.

Horrible short

> term memory, 2. Difficulty with word finding and word

substitution

> (e.g., substituting the word " fork " for " knife, " or your

neighbor's name for your

> husband's name†" not a Freudian slip in CFS), and 3.

Approximately 30%

> of those with CFS/FMS have episodic disorientation lasting ~ 30-60

seconds.

> This often occurs when driving or even turning down a supermarket

aisle. It can

> feel scary, but is not dangerous. Though you may not know where

you are (or

> are going) people seem able to drive or walk safely till it

passes. This can

> also manifest as briefly not recognizing common objects or names

(even of

> children).

> Brain fog can sometimes be the scariest part of the illness for

some†"

> especially professionals that had been functioning at a very high

level. Though

> standard testing will often not pick up the problem (nor is it

designed to), in

> some cases the brain fog makes it hard or even impossible to

continue one's

> job. In other cases, brain fog can be mild.

> The good news is that brain fog tends to resolve with treatment

along with

> the pain and fatigue. In this week's feature article, we will

discuss the key

> treatments that can help you to get your brain back!

> Where do I start?

> Poor energy production in the brain, with associated alterations

in blood

> flow (e.g., to the sides of the brain where the speech centers are)

as well as

> alterations in neurotransmitters (brain chemicals like serotonin,

dopamine,

> adrenaline or acetylcholine), blood pressure, or blood sugar can

all

> contribute to your brain fog. Because of this, the overall " _SHINE

Protocol_

>

(http://www.endfatigue.com/treatment_options/Shine_treatment_protocol.

html) " is very

> helpful for brain fog as well as CFS/FMS. Let's look at the key

issues and

> treatments. 1. Sleep†" Getting your 8 hours of sleep a night is

critical, but

> make sure your sleep, pain or other medications are NOT the cause

of your

> feeling foggy the next day. Add natural treatments at bedtime like

melatonin

> (1/2-1 mg), calcium and magnesium, and the _Revitalizing Sleep

Formula_

> (http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/supplements/sleep-formula-

90/) . These are

> less likely to cause brain fog and will lower the amount of

medications needed.

> Work with your doctor to leave off 1 of your sleep medications

each night as

> well, to see if any of them are leaving you hung over/foggy the

next day.

> If so, play with the medications and doses to find a mix that works

with less

> next day sedation. Using a low dose of several sleep (or pain)

medications is

> more effective and has fewer side effects than a high dose of 1 or

2

> medications. For more information on how to get a good night's

sleep, see _Sleep and

> Insomnia_

> (http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_r-s/Sleep-

sleep_and_insomnia.html) . Explore the role, also, of any other

medications which may be

> sedating. 2. Optimize Thyroid function by adjusting the

thyroid type and

> dose based on your symptoms, using only the Free T4 blood test to

make sure

> you are staying in the normal range for safety. Do not let your

doctor use the

> TSH test to monitor treatment in CFS/FMS. It is not reliable in

this illness

> and you will be undertreated and brain foggy. Some people do

better taking

> part (or all) of their thyroid dose at bedtime. For more on

treating thyroid

> problems, see _Thyroid Hormone Deficiency†" An Overview_

> (http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_d-e/Diet-

thyroid_hormone_deficiency.html)

> _http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_d-e/Diet-

thyroid_hormone_deficiency.html_

> (http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_d-e/Diet-

thyroid_hormone_deficiency.html)

> 3. In men, optimize testosterone; and in women, estrogen and

> progesterone. If you get irritable when hungry, optimize adrenal

support, as recurrent

> low blood sugar also can trigger brain fog. 4. If you have

nasal

> congestion or sinusitis or irritable bowel syndrome (gas,

bloating, diarrhea or

> constipation) you likely have Candida/yeast overgrowth, and this

can leave you

> VERY foggy. This is discussed in my book, _From Fatigued to

Fantastic!_

> (http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/publications/from-

fatigued-to-fan/) (and I

> will do a newsletter article on Candida soon), but the key is to

take the

> medication Diflucan 200 mg a day for 6-12 weeks while avoiding

sugar and taking

> _Acidophilus Pearls_

> (http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/supplements/probiotic-

pearls-90/) and _Anti-Yeast herbals_

> (http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/supplements/anti-

yeast/) . 5. Optimize nutritional support

> with the _Energy Revitalization System_

> (http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/supplements/berry-

splash/) and _Ribose (Corvalen)_

> (http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/supplements/corvalen-d-

ribose/) . Ask your physician if you

> can have a series of B12 shots (1,000-5,000 mcg of the

hydroxycobalmin form of

> B12 each few days for a total of 15 doses, then as needed). People

can

> often learn to give their own B12 shots. At the Fibromyalgia and

Fatigue Centers

> we use special " Energy Injections " that are very helpful. If you

have dry

> eyes, dry mouth or depression, add 1 teaspoon of _fish oil_

> (http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/supplements/eskimo-3-fish-

oil-li/) a day or 3-4 servings

> of tuna or salmon each week. 6. Stay hydrated. If your mouth

or lips

> are dry, you're dehydrated. It's amazing how the mind can clear a

lot

> sometimes after simply drinking a glass of cool water. Getting

fresh air and sunshine

> (in moderation†" don't burn) can also help. 7. So

called " Energy Drinks "

> loaded with caffeine and sugar are loan sharks†" avoid them.

Instead, drink

> 1-2 cups of tea (made from real tea bags or leaves†" not the

powdered/bottled

> stuff loaded with sugar). This is often enough to jump start your

brain in a

> healthy way without crashing you later, and the antioxidants in 1-

2 cups of tea

> a day help your CFS and overall health as well. Avoid the caffeine

after 2 pm

> so it won't disrupt sleep.

> Treatments for Symptom Relief

> While you are instituting the treatments above (and if your

physician is not

> familiar with the illness, see a _Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Center_

> (http://www.fibroandfatigue.com/) physician who knows how to help

you), here are a

> few treatments that can offer symptomatic relief: 1. Dexedrine

or Ritalin†"

> Though these amphetamine family medications are markedly overused

in

> hyperactive kids, they are UNDERUSED in CFS. These medications

actually can help

> restore balance in CFS/FMS by raising dopamine levels and brain

wave frequency to

> normal, stabilizing low blood pressure and autonomic dysfunction

and

> decreasing the tendency to sleep apnea by causing weight loss.

Most adults find 5-12.5

> mg each morning to be optimal. Younger patients (under 22 years

old) often

> find they need higher doses (I generally do not prescribe over 30

mg a day),

> though the reason for this is not clear. I suspect, though, that it

is

> because younger patients have more autonomic dysfunction. 2.

_Remember_

> (http://www.endfatigue.com/store/products/supplements/remember-

mental-shar/) †" This

> nutrient and herbal mix can be very helpful for brain fog, and is

worth using

> first, but frankly the Dexedrine is more effective for brain fog.

It is worth

> trying though and can even be combined with the Dexedrine for

optimal

> effect. Take 2 capsules a day, which contains (per 2

capsules): Vitamin

> B6 (as pyridoxine HCl)

> 15 mg

> Folic Acid

> 800 mcg

> Vitamin B12 (as cyanocobalamin)

> 500 mcg

> Alpha Lipoic Acid

> 600 mg

> Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri); Aerial Part Extract standardized to

contain

> 20% bacosides

> 300 mg

> Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) Leaf Extract; standardized to contain

24%

> ginkgoflavonglycosides, 6% terpene lactones, and 2% bilobalide

> 120 mg

>

> Give all of the above treatments 6 weeks to fully kick in. Even

though some

> of these help within days, natural treatments often take 6 weeks

to heal the

> systems involved so you can feel better.

> Like fibromyalgia pain, brain fog responds well to treatment. The

problem is

> largely that most physicians are simply not trained in these

illnesses. Most

> of these treatments can be done on your own, and you can ask your

physician

> to assist with those requiring a prescription. If they refuse, get

a

> consultation with a _Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Center (FFC)_

> (http://www.fibroandfatigue.com/) physician. In addition, though

usually not as well trained in CFS/FMS

> as the FFC doctors, _Holistic physicians_

(http://www.holisticboard.org/)

> are often familiar with these treatments as well.

> You can get back both your life†" and your mind!

> L & B

> Dr. T