Handling Brain Fog/fatigue

[India]

Hello all,

I've just lost another day to that foggy, can't-think-straight, want-to-stop-and-nap feeling. It's especially frustrating because things had been better recently and I've starting to make new plans. I'm really stuck at present though, as I just can't make progress on the proposal I'm working on

So - as I know this is something that affects several people on here, I wonder if you can offer any practical suggestions for dealing with this, especially for getting on with work/study? My main technique is to leave my computer for a while to do something more practical to rest my brain and try to wake up my body. Nothing is working this week though.

FYI, I'm strictly gluten-free and I take B12 sublingual supplements. My thyroid tests have been fine and I'm trying my best to get lots of sleep and exercise.

Many thanks and good wishes,

India

[FooGirlsMom]

Sorry to hear you're feeling poorly

I see you do the FODMAPS diet. Have you ever tried going strictly low carb? Like meat & green vegetables type of low carb? I'm about to go there myself. I think until my intestines heal I'm going to have to go back to an Atkins type of diet. I seem to be having brain fog & energy reduction due to all carbs now. If you need a low carb diet I can suggest either the Induction version of Atkins (with probably not so much focus on the carb count - eat the veggies you want) or the Protein Power diet.

I hope you feel better soon.

FooGirlsMom

[eatmeat4good]

I'm dealing with some fog, fatigue, depression.

I think I will try that Foogirls mom....yer pretty smart.

Thanks for that suggestion.

[AZGirl]

For years I have noticed that my brain doesn't work like it used to. I thought that gluten free was going to be my answer, but I still struggle with slow thinking and not being able to manipulate complex ideas in my head...It is so frustrating!!! I hate to say it, but I feel like I am getting dumber. In meetings I listen to others speak and project ideas and all I can think is "that used to be me". Now, I am more support material than I am idea girl.

I do have to say that going gluten free has definitely helped with brain fog; I still have good days and bad days. I probably will never be where I want to be, but as long as I can still be productive I will thank my lucky stars.

Bottom line; I'm interested in suggestions submitted to the original post, as well.

[MegRie]

I hate the brain fog thing- and you end up sounding like a crazy person when you try to explain it. I have noticed that every time I experience symptoms like this I have been glutended. For example I had been feeling great, then all of a sudden lost my energy and felt nauseous. I didn't think I was eating any gluten, but then I found out that pre-shredded cheese often has anti-clumping agents in it made from wheat. If I start feeling bad I try to pacloser attention to what proccessed food I've been eating and research it further.

I would be very leery of special diets like the Adkins diet unless you talk with your Dr. about it first. Fruits and veggies to amazing things for your body and by eating a variety of them you are more likely to reap the benefits. The Adkins diet, unfortunately, cuts out a lot of natural goodness from fruits- BUT it does help to recognize that there are good carbs and bad carbs and stay away from the bad.

[eatmeat4good]

I thought the cheese would have to be labeled if it contained wheat ingredients. I use shredded cheese all the time. Curious.

[thleensd]

I totally hear you on the brain fog thing. It's been two years gluten-free for me, and I'm still pulling out of it. The good news is, I have more and more hours of clear thinking as time marches on!

What has helped me:

Sleep. I know it's not always possible, but it's your body's healing time. Find a way to get more.

Water.

Veggie Smoothies (Blendtech blender... throw in carrots, celery, frozen grapes, a bit of juice and water).

B-12 AND a good multi (that contains coQ10 and quercetin). I feel a NOTICEABLE difference when my multi kicks in daily.

And, Floravital (by floradix). The stuff is crazy expensive... we call it "crack" at my house, because when I take it, I have reasonable energy, when I don't take it for a few days, I drag. Totally addicted.

Be careful, though, if you try the floravital, there's an almost IDENTICAL package, except for the writing that contains gluten. BLEH. The stuff if B vitamins and iron in a liquid form... so it absorbs quickly and well.

Wheat, by law, must be labeled in the US (but not necessarily "processed on equipment")

Brain fog sucks.

Good luck.

[Jestgar]

  On 1/6/2011 at 11:23 PM, eatmeat4good said:

I thought the cheese would have to be labeled if it contained wheat ingredients. I use shredded cheese all the time. Curious.

No one has ever found shredded cheese that's been shown to have wheat. I think this is an old wives' tale.

[eatmeat4good]

Thank you so much Jestgar. I'm relieved.

[MegRie]

  On 1/6/2011 at 11:23 PM, eatmeat4good said:

I thought the cheese would have to be labeled if it contained wheat ingredients. I use shredded cheese all the time. Curious.

"Pre-shredded cheese, frozen french fries, teriyaki sauce, salad dressings and soy sauce may all contain wheat or gluten, according to the Food Allergy Gourmet"

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link free.com/celiac_disease_food_additives.htm This site says that all anti-caking agents are now gluten free. I know I read something about the preshredded cheese, but I can't find it. I don't usually believe things unless they com from a reliable source, but like I said I can't find it.