Brain fog: blank mind, comprehension, concentration, cognitive, and memory problems

[Sofa]

@Bjeck Did you also have a complete blank mind, no visualization, no imagination, no memory and bad at learning and understanding things? 
 

I also have a pressure in my head when i try to Feel something, and its a lot of pressure when i try to cry. I cant really cry at all. Not even when i Feel like it. I cant Feel many emotions either.

[Nelly]

On 4/9/2022 at 6:15 AM, Sofa said:

@Bjeck

Do you also get pressure when thinking? Even just writing thing the pressure in my head increases. Its like my brain is being Squeeze when i try to think. I wake with this everyday, and it just seems to get worse

 

18 hours ago, Bjeck said:

I think I know what you're talking about. When I was at my absolute worst it was like I could "feel" my brain straining to think, like it was some muscle that was worn out. 

 

Brain fog is my worst symptom. I can go back 20 years and remember having, what i described then, as brain fog, whilst trying to do my job. I still have it, i wake with it, pressure in my head. I believe that it was then down to taking an antidepressant. Now, tapering has made it worse, constant, i wake up with it, pressure, a full head, full of bricks, in a constant car crash, are some ways that i describe it. I cant push my brain to work any harder any more, it is exhausting and feels like it is damaging my brain further. I have to accept it and do the best i can. X

[Sofa]

On 4/10/2022 at 11:13 AM, Nelly said:

 

 

Brain fog is my worst symptom. I can go back 20 years and remember having, what i described then, as brain fog, whilst trying to do my job. I still have it, i wake with it, pressure in my head. I believe that it was then down to taking an antidepressant. Now, tapering has made it worse, constant, i wake up with it, pressure, a full head, full of bricks, in a constant car crash, are some ways that i describe it. I cant push my brain to work any harder any more, it is exhausting and feels like it is damaging my brain further. I have to accept it and do the best i can. X

How is your cognitive function? Mine is really bad. No associative, abstract or creative thinking. My memory is toast. I cant learn new things. 
 

Cant focus. Cant understand tv og 

music. Cant read!
 

Feel brain dead.

[Nelly]

On 4/13/2022 at 3:59 PM, Sofa said:

How is your cognitive function? Mine is really bad. No associative, abstract or creative thinking. My memory is toast. I cant learn new things. 
 

Cant focus. Cant understand tv og 

music. Cant read!
 

Feel brain dead.

 

@Sofa

Not good

I struggle with instruction, directions. I dont remember! Cant focus. Too much brain activity exhausts me. Mental exhaustion. Its easier to be on my own x

[Sofa]

@Nelly

 

Do you or anyone else experience a "resistance"/pressure in the brain when they try to think?

Whenever I try to think, like visualize something in my head, daydream, or just in general more complex thoughts like planning and thinking ahead, it's almost like there is this resistance that's fighting against me from doing so. I have this constant pressure/cotton feeling in my brain that just gets worse. 

 

It's like I want to think and I am willing to and it feels like I should be capable of it, but my mind is pushing against me and is shutting me down. 

This is really hard! I used to be able to daydream and live in my mind. Now i have very few thoughts and my brain feels ruined. 

 

The weird resistance is also there when trying to watch movies, read or listen to music. It gived distorted vision and hearing. I should be able to comprehend, but there is a resistence in my mind!

 

Someone experience the same and get better? Or knows whats happening?

[Ariel]

Hi @Sofa

 

4 minutes ago, Sofa said:

Someone experience the same and get better? Or knows whats happening?

 

What you describe does indeed sound familiar. My brain has difficulty handling complex thinking, planning, coordinating, conceptualizing, grasping or dealing with anything abstract, mathematical calculations, imagination, etc. It does sometimes feel like an almost physical barrier, much like you describe. 

I do feel like this is improving, slowly. There was a time when I would not have been able to write these words to you, and now here I am. It gets better. Something that helps me along the way is to accept that this is just how my brain is right now, it's temporary, and it will get better. I don't force it (because I can't). It is strange and sometimes scary to experience my brain differently than I am used to, but sometimes it's also kind of fun! There are moments I think to myself, "How many times have I wondered what it would be like to be someone else, to be in someone's else's mind? Well now I kind of am ... It's still my own brain, technically, but it's also kinda not really my brain as I know it. What if I took advantage of this opportunity to live as this particular person with this particular brain right now?" And it makes it feel a little more like a game to play (which helps pass the time, if nothing else). 

 

I don't know what's happening behind the scenes of these symptoms. I'm not sure anyone knows exactly what's happening. My best guess is that there are areas of brain functioning that have been affected by both the addition and removal of psychiatric drugs, and the brain is working to sort itself out. In other words, what's happening is Healing. Sometimes healing doesn't feel enjoyable, but that doesn't mean it's not happening. Healing is happening all the time!

 

I have found that dietary adjustments and proper nutrition make a big difference in how my brain feels. There's a lot of information that goes from the gut to the brain, and the food I eat can have a clear negative or positive effect on my brain symptoms. It's remarkable how quickly results appear. When I eat well I feel better in a matter of days. When I eat something that is not supportive to healing, I feel worse within minutes to hours. 

 

Another thing I have had good experiences with is very cold water immersion. Very cold showers are my "home cryotherapy" (I just wrote about this in another post). This seems to help my head/brain symptoms and soothes my nervous system.

 

A year ago I got a few Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy treatments, which felt helpful at the time. (Note: it's essential that these were Biodynamic Craniosacral and not regular Craniosacral.) The treatments were perfectly gentle and relaxing. It felt like something deep inside me that was otherwise not consciously accessible was able to release and return to its natural flow... I don't know, it's all rather mysterious. 

 

The main thing is acceptance and patience. Fixating and worrying about it will only make it worse. I know it can be challenging to ignore symptoms when they feel so unusual and everything about withdrawal thrusts us into grappling with uncertainty and instability. When everything's in question it's easy to feel desperate for answers. That mad scramble for certainty is ultimately futile, and exhausting. When I am able to let the questions be questions -- they just linger there in the background, while I'm busy doing something else -- it frees up a lot of energy for me to just live my life as best I can right now. Acceptance also frees up energy for healing (as opposed to stress, which gobbles energy and diverts it away from deeper healing). Now that's a good investment!

 

Good luck to you, Sofa. Healing wishes,

A.

[Ariel]

Came across this concise, practical list. For clarity I've made a few edits to the original text (scroll down for source info). 

 

3 Ways To Get More Oxygen To The Brain

 

– The brain uses about three times as much oxygen as muscles in the body do.
– Brain cells are very sensitive to decreases in oxygen levels and don’t survive or function well very long without it.
– The brain is made up of very special cells called neurons, and each of them can do the job of any of the other neurons in the brain. That process gives us the ability to relearn most functions using different parts of the brain. So if we have an injury or a sick part of our brain, we can teach our brain to restructure and control body parts and function with other areas of the brain. That is called brain plasticity.

 

Here are three ways to get more oxygen to the brain: 

 

1. Take short walks throughout the day. 

It’s not necessary to commit to a lengthy exercise session to reap the benefits of walking. Taking short walks will also help increase the blood flow to your brain. Even a walk of three to five minutes will have a positive effect on your blood’s circulation.
Use a timer throughout your day to remind yourself to take walking breaks. If you work at a desk, schedule short walks.
Take advantage of naturally occurring opportunities to walk. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park at a distance from your destination. Get off the bus or train before your exit, and walk the remainder of the route.

 

2. Breathe through your nose. 

Engage your diaphragm, in your abdominal area. This is also called “belly breathing.” Breathing deeply moves the air and oxygen down into the lower areas of the lungs where most of the circulation of blood is. Air entering through the nose enters the sinus cavities, oral cavities, and the upper part of the lungs. Breathing through the mouth will lessen the exposure to freshly oxygenated air. Breathing with the diaphragm results in more oxygen entering this blood.

 

3. Stand Up. 

Stand up on both feet or just one foot. A study published by the Oxford University Press journal “Brain,” reports that standing up activates cerebral circulation. The study found that standing with both feet together enhanced circulation in the anterior lobe and the right visual cortex in the brain. Standing on one foot increased circulation in the cerebellar anterior vermis and posterior lobe lateral cortex ipsilateral portions of the brain. Standing in tandem increased circulation in the visual association cortex, midbrain, aneterior and posterior vermis parts of the brain.

 

May 1, 2017 by Dr. P. Gould

https://blackdoctor.org/3-ways-to-get-more-oxygen-to-the-brain/

 

[Nelly]

On 4/15/2022 at 6:03 PM, Sofa said:

@Nelly

 

Do you or anyone else experience a "resistance"/pressure in the brain when they try to think?

Whenever I try to think, like visualize something in my head, daydream, or just in general more complex thoughts like planning and thinking ahead, it's almost like there is this resistance that's fighting against me from doing so. I have this constant pressure/cotton feeling in my brain that just gets worse. 

 

It's like I want to think and I am willing to and it feels like I should be capable of it, but my mind is pushing against me and is shutting me down. 

This is really hard! I used to be able to daydream and live in my mind. Now i have very few thoughts and my brain feels ruined. 

 

The weird resistance is also there when trying to watch movies, read or listen to music. It gived distorted vision and hearing. I should be able to comprehend, but there is a resistence in my mind!

 

Someone experience the same and get better? Or knows whats happening?

Yes you describe it very well. I have started cold water swimming/dipping, in the hope that this will help. Although not doing it regular enough at the moment to notice any real benefit. I started by finishing off my shower by turning it cold to become acclimatised. 

[Ariel]

Hi @Nelly

I find cold water "cryotherapy" helpful (wrote about it in a previous post, see above). 

 

33 minutes ago, Nelly said:

I started by finishing off my shower by turning it cold to become acclimatised. 

 

Same here. 

What a simple, affordable, accessible intervention!

 

 

[Sofa]

@Ariel @Nelly

 

Did any of you lose your internal monologue? Mine is gone and its really scary!

[Ariel]

@Sofa

What do you mean by "internal monologue" exactly?

[Sofa]

5 minutes ago, Ariel said:

@Sofa

What do you mean by "internal monologue" exactly?

@Ariel That you can hear your own voice in your head. You can hear yourself thinking without speaking out loud.

[Ariel]

@Sofa

Thank you for clarifying. 

 

I'm not sure I'm the right person to answer your question as I find the experience of silence in my mind to be pleasurable. I'm not a particularly big fan of my internal monologue, but maybe other people have better tapes! I can't think of a single instance in my life when my thoughts went quiet where it wasn't welcome. 

 

I'm sorry you feel distressed about what you're experiencing. Which non-drug coping techniques do you use? What are your favorites?

 

 

 

[Erin9]

Hi guys -has anybody else had trouble reading since withdrawal? Ever since I started this whole tapering process 9 months ago I've found reading books almost impossible. It's like my brain just cant function or process the words without me feeling nauseous or getting a headache. I'm okay with short messages on my phone and things like that, but I literally cant read a whole page of a book without feeling sick or getting brain zaps. It's so frustrating, and I feel that these cognitive problems are the main barrier to me being able to enjoy my life at the moment, or being able to work or just function normally. It feels like its physically hard work for my head to read a book with line after line of text, and also hard work on my eyes which get an achey feeling after a while. I'm not sure whether I'm explaining it very well, but I'm hoping someone else on SA will be able to tell me if this is a common withdrawal symptom? I also get light sensitivity on some days. 

[Ariel]

@Erin9

On 7/16/2022 at 1:03 AM, Erin9 said:

has anybody else had trouble reading since withdrawal? Ever since I started this whole tapering process 9 months ago I've found reading books almost impossible. It's like my brain just cant function or process the words without me feeling nauseous or getting a headache. I'm okay with short messages on my phone and things like that, but I literally cant read a whole page of a book without feeling sick or getting brain zaps.

Yes, this is common in WD. I have it and many others have it or have had it. 

Reading is a complex function, so issues with reading are not necessarily ever related to only one thing. 

Too tired to elaborate on the breakdown now, but suffice it to say: It gets better. 

As we heal reading becomes easier, information processing becomes easier. 

As with everything else we might practice and exercise these abilities by starting small, taking lots of breaks, gradually slowly building up and developing capacity. 

And of course practicing acceptance and patience along the way ... 

Light sensitivity is also a very common WD symptom. 

Hang in there, Erin. It gets better <3

[braindead94]

Memory and Intelligence issues

 

Has anyone recovered from cognitive difficulties that arose before tapering? My problems (blank mind, memory issues etc) existed before quitting ADs, but did not exist before beginning them.

 

Edited August 27, 2022 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with existing topic

[Darklight]

This is a really interesting thread of responses around cognition and memory.

 

It is this part of the withdrawal/AD/TE that has been most troubling me. I'm a musician, writer, stage director, actor and use a lot of complicated technology for creating images, marketing, tech for shows, sound and have been used to being multi-versatile and adept at using lots of technical platforms. 

 

I've been terrified since March this year that I've lost my mind and all its previous capabilities. I couldn't read, watch anything, use my phone or computer, even listening to music or radio was impossible to begin with. 

 

Trying to manage the many systems and technical tools I was always so good at using and working out is still pretty difficult. But I'm beginning to see that my multi-tasking abilities are what are really challenged. I was a very keen and adventurous cook. I can buy food but when faced with having to prepare a meal I often feel like I've never done this before in my life and it all goes blank. I can explain to others what to do but its like my brain is stuck in one shape and can't always mould around other shapes, or multiple shapes like it used to right now. 

 

I've seen changes over the last 6 months. I can read again and can tolerate some TV but it has to be very good. Its as if my brain has become much fussier as to what it can be bothered with. Playing the piano however is getting better and better, as is writing poetry, song lyrics and music. I feel here that previously while on the meds my creativity was blunted and my inner dialogue with myself would often prevent me from truly giving myself over to the moment, so when it came to performance I often felt distant from what I was actually doing and tied up in a very self-conscious and critical mind. I'm pleased to see this is getting easier to step away from. 

 

I still can't work which is causing all sorts of financial difficulties and putting pressure on my partner to keep us both which then leads to immense guilt on my part. This is the other biggee that I find most difficult. I was an extremely busy and community involved figure in the arts where I live and ran numerous groups, coaching sessions, putting on events and I just feel so devoid of purpose now that I can't do any of these things at the moment. Going to try being at the things I used to do and take no actual responsibility for the doing of them. Just offer what I can when I can. But the wiping out of all my activity has been such an immense loss and terrifying. Learning to be very patient and gentle with my brain. You have to. 

 

 

[Greatful]

I can relate to some of  the memory issues mentioned here.

It often feels like my only reality is in the moment.  In the evening I can't alway remember details of the morning.

Let alone a fluid memory of the day before.  Bits and pieces but spoty.  I have very little fluid memories of raising our children.  I sure hope this will all come back as my brain heals...

I often find it hard to have a fluid thought....It's like the thought starts and then drops into a dark hole....

It sometimes feels like my amygdala (fear center in the brain) is in high alert and my rational part of my brain is shut down or even off....

I think this will help explain some of why are brains are confused.  I will go back to this time and time again to reassure  me that this is my brain out of whack, that it can heal and get things right again. 

http://What is happening in your brain

 

Somehow we have to trust that our brains can heal..

 

 

  

[KittenLePurr]

On 9/3/2022 at 11:41 AM, Darklight said:

This is a really interesting thread of responses around cognition and memory.

 

It is this part of the withdrawal/AD/TE that has been most troubling me. I'm a musician, writer, stage director, actor and use a lot of complicated technology for creating images, marketing, tech for shows, sound and have been used to being multi-versatile and adept at using lots of technical platforms. 

 

I've been terrified since March this year that I've lost my mind and all its previous capabilities. I couldn't read, watch anything, use my phone or computer, even listening to music or radio was impossible to begin with. 

 

Trying to manage the many systems and technical tools I was always so good at using and working out is still pretty difficult. But I'm beginning to see that my multi-tasking abilities are what are really challenged. I was a very keen and adventurous cook. I can buy food but when faced with having to prepare a meal I often feel like I've never done this before in my life and it all goes blank. I can explain to others what to do but its like my brain is stuck in one shape and can't always mould around other shapes, or multiple shapes like it used to right now. 

 

I've seen changes over the last 6 months. I can read again and can tolerate some TV but it has to be very good. Its as if my brain has become much fussier as to what it can be bothered with. Playing the piano however is getting better and better, as is writing poetry, song lyrics and music. I feel here that previously while on the meds my creativity was blunted and my inner dialogue with myself would often prevent me from truly giving myself over to the moment, so when it came to performance I often felt distant from what I was actually doing and tied up in a very self-conscious and critical mind. I'm pleased to see this is getting easier to step away from. 

 

I still can't work which is causing all sorts of financial difficulties and putting pressure on my partner to keep us both which then leads to immense guilt on my part. This is the other biggee that I find most difficult. I was an extremely busy and community involved figure in the arts where I live and ran numerous groups, coaching sessions, putting on events and I just feel so devoid of purpose now that I can't do any of these things at the moment. Going to try being at the things I used to do and take no actual responsibility for the doing of them. Just offer what I can when I can. But the wiping out of all my activity has been such an immense loss and terrifying. Learning to be very patient and gentle with my brain. You have to. 

 

 

I feel your pain and really relate. Meds blunted my creativity so much, I couldn't write for years...I'm a writer and singer/songwriter. I decided trying to engage with the music business was too stressful for me years ago, but even so, losing my muse and feeling disconnected from music was devastating. Benzos were the absolute worst for that. I know that because a few months after I tapered off Klonipin in 2020, I dreamt about a song idea and felt inspired. It brought me to tears. Since then, it's not been a constant thing (Celexa still causes brain fog and blunts creativity for me, and w/d from that and methadone make it worse) but I've had several song ideas, wrote and recorded a complete song that I love and am super proud of, and rewrote an old song and started playing with different musical styles...once we've healed, the abilities will come back. maybe slowly, but they come back.

 

At the same time, I decided not to go back to a conventional job but rather to start freelance writing from home, and with varying degrees of brain fog, some days it is just not possible. I keep wondering what else I could do to bring in income and I haven't found anything yet that feels like a fit. I'm glad your partner is able to support you! Even if it is not an ideal situation. The gentleness and patience is so hard but so necessary... ❤️

 

[theheartalways]

On 5/2/2022 at 3:38 AM, Sofa said:

@Ariel @Nelly

 

Did any of you lose your internal monologue? Mine is gone and its really scary!

Yes entirely! It’s good to know I’m not alone on this but my heart also goes out to you knowing how hard this was for myself, I can only imagine it is similarly difficult for you. 
 

The good news that I can tell you is that it will return with time. Mine started to return in fragments nearly a year since I came off SSRI’s. It was night and day and it’s definitely something that takes getting used to but god am I grateful it is back. I feel that many of us don’t realize we’ve lost it until long after it’s gone. Looking back I realize that my ability to self-reflect was extremely impaired due to this. With not much of an internal monologue to consult, the ability to push past the mental barriers that many of you speak of on this post (that I also still feel) is much more difficult.

 

Godspeed Sofa, I hope this gets better for you and that you are able to get your internal monologue back soon!

[Thorin]

Brain Fog help

 

Hi all, I’ve probably posted this in the wrong spot…..

 

has anyone suffered from severe brain fog and had it resolve itself eventually? I’m really struggling with this and don’t want to take dextroamphetamine (I have a diagnosis of ADHD and the dex really helps). While I am sure I have ADHD my brain fog is MUCH worse the last few years than it’s ever been and I’m sure it’s a side effect of the two meds I’m trying to taper.

 

any advice on how to deal with this would be very welcome. I’m taking omega 3 and doing a small amount of cardio in the afternoons although I’m thinking of changing that to before work if I can make myself get out of bed earlier. This is getting ridiculous. I need to be able to think!

 

Edited November 7, 2022 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with existing topic

[Altostrata]

Probably half or more of our members suffered from brain fog as a withdrawal symptom.

[Thorin]

Hi @Altostrata that’s a massive number. Good to know I’m not the only one. Horrible to see so many people afflicted though. Through the skimming of posts I just did many people say it improves over time? Would you agree? Mine seems to come and go although it is present more often than not. It’s the worst having grown up ‘intelligent’ then not feeling like you are anymore…..

[almuPA]

Hello @Thorin,

I just can talk about my experience, so please, dont quote me.

I do have brain fog that comes and goes. I have been in WD for 2 years and a half, and is still something I have to deal with. 

In a bad day, It is hard/not possible to verbalize things (Spanish or English), remembering data, follow a deep conversation or doing things that require a mental effort. When I was in a very very bad day It was hard for me to add 1+1. 

 

It is getting better with time, but still there. So I guess it will resolve in the future.

 

As Alto said, I think is a very common symptom in WD. 

 

[Thorin]

Hi @almuPA,

 

sorry to hear you’re struggling like that. Sounds like it has improved a bit though. Good luck!

 

cheers

[Sofa]

I have no thougts or emotions at all

 

can it get better?

 

also cant sit still 

[itiscomplicated]

 

10 hours ago, Thorin said:

any advice on how to deal with this would be very welcome

 

I have different sorts of cognitive and attention problems that come and go. Making my intentions and actions meet up is usually nigh impossible.

 

For me, the best things I can do to cope are:

 

1) Whatever I'm doing, do it as slowly as possible.

 

2) Don't try to force myself to be functioning better than I can.

 

FWIW, I've had a diagnosis of ADHD more than once, and stimulants always have had unpredictable but always bad effects on me. Discontinuing them has also always been really rough.

[Thorin]

16 hours ago, Sofa said:

also cant sit still 

Sounds like Akathisia. A common but often debilitating side effect. Most stories I've ready people report this going away as they come off the med.

 

Hang in there!

[Thorin]

15 hours ago, itiscomplicated said:

For me, the best things I can do to cope are:

 

1) Whatever I'm doing, do it as slowly as possible.

 

2) Don't try to force myself to be functioning better than I can.

 

FWIW, I've had a diagnosis of ADHD more than once, and stimulants always have had unpredictable but always bad effects on me. Discontinuing them has also always been really rough.

 

Thanks for commenting. I absolutely do #1 and triple check my work. I struggle with #2 and frequently expect more of myself than I should. Guess I need to work on this.

 

Stimulants worked well for me but they seem to make my withdrawal symptoms worse so I've stopped taking them. I also really want to see how I am once I'm off the other meds before I even consider taking a stimulant again. It's very difficult not taking the stimulant because it really does help a lot of the time. Time will tell what will end up being the nest course of action I'm sure. How has discontinuing them been difficult? I've found I can stop and start them no problem (think this is the only med I've been able to do that with). I'm concerned because my partner takes them every day for her ADHD and my daughter has ADHD and wants to try medication (I can share my story with her but she's old enough that I have to let her make her own decisions).

 

Thanks!

[j1290]

17 hours ago, itiscomplicated said:

For me, the best things I can do to cope are:

 

1) Whatever I'm doing, do it as slowly as possible.

 

2) Don't try to force myself to be functioning better than I can.

 

 

This is *exactly* what I do too, itiscomplicated!   I started a new job with the intent to taper while working here, knowing it would affect my performance, and accepting that my limitations are what they are.  Some days are better than others, and I can't give more than I have.  When I take the emotion out of the equation its much easier to deal with, but it's easier for me to say than to do.   

[itiscomplicated]

8 hours ago, Thorin said:

How has discontinuing them been difficult?

 

Tough to answer... they destabilize me in general.

 

For me, being on them helped me focus, though not reliably in a self-directed way, and more often than not caused mania-like or severe agitated depression or what might be described as "mixed episode" symptoms.

 

Stopping, it felt like it became harder than ever to focus. But, I was already in a weird state, and discontinuing them didn't get me out of it.

 

Another time, after a while, no amount would work, but that was well into my "polypharmacy era." People do report generally that if they use them every day, they don't work well.

 

About ADHD - I'd say that my innate trouble focusing has always been from depression, anxiety, and a tendency to get lost in my thoughts, combined with life stressors. Call it lifelong problems with avoidance and procrastination. It has been made way worse by reactions to a medication, over and over.

[Altostrata]

On 11/7/2022 at 5:38 AM, itiscomplicated said:

For me, the best things I can do to cope are:

 

1) Whatever I'm doing, do it as slowly as possible.

 

2) Don't try to force myself to be functioning better than I can.

 

Good pointers!

 

Yes, drug- or withdrawal-induced brain fog tends to dissipate in time.

[Kyle1234]

Does anyone suffer from a type of ‘brain damaged’ feeling whereby your brain doesn’t process visual or auditory stimuli anywhere near as well as you used to? I feel trapped inside my head because what I see and hear doesn’t register in my head, almost like it actively ignores it. This is by far the worst symptom I am currently suffering from and it is debilitating.

 

I noticed that during acute withdrawal my vision suddenly became ‘3D’ and hearing became so much clearer, I realised that I’ve actually suffered from this during the time I was in the medication but it wasn’t noticeable. But since experiencing intense brain zaps/electrical activity and subsequent ‘brain freeze’ which stopped this overnight, the brain damage feeling has got so bad and I can’t function.

 

Any stories or understanding from others would provide some much needed reassurance.

 

Thanks!

[Greatful]

@Kyle1234  I can so relate to our brains being in total chaos.  Mine has been offline.   I have the worst brain symptoms then most people.....It buzzes  it feels like acid burn, numb and it's shrinking, I can't think straight, sometimes it feels like there is a whole and thoughts and reason fall into a void.  The organic fear is a constant. 90% of the time there is some sort of physical pain or sensation going on.  Some days it feels like my thinking is slow and it is hard to talk.  Almost like I will slur my words.  

I wish I could say something positive about the whole nightmare.  I have to hold on to the repeated affirmation from others that we can heal from this temporary chemical brain injury.  Our brains are trying to heal every second of everyday.

I recommend you read this story https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/10914-what-is-happening-in-your-brain/ 

 

Let me know if you want to talk.  Hang in there, this is really scary and hard comprehend most of the time, but it will not hurt you.  This is as bad as it gets, you get better   time time time....Read Pugs success story, he had horrendous symptoms and healed from this https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/14913-pug-your-miracle-is-coming-hang-on/

[Kyle1234]

32 minutes ago, Greatful said:

@Kyle1234  I can so relate to our brains being in total chaos.  Mine has been offline.   I have the worst brain symptoms then most people.....It buzzes  it feels like acid burn, numb and it's shrinking, I can't think straight, sometimes it feels like there is a whole and thoughts and reason fall into a void.  The organic fear is a constant. 90% of the time there is some sort of physical pain or sensation going on.  Some days it feels like my thinking is slow and it is hard to talk.  Almost like I will slur my words.  

I wish I could say something positive about the whole nightmare.  I have to hold on to the repeated affirmation from others that we can heal from this temporary chemical brain injury.  Our brains are trying to heal every second of everyday.

I recommend you read this story https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/10914-what-is-happening-in-your-brain/ 

 

Let me know if you want to talk.  Hang in there, this is really scary and hard comprehend most of the time, but it will not hurt you.  This is as bad as it gets, you get better   time time time....Read Pugs success story, he had horrendous symptoms and healed from this https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/14913-pug-your-miracle-is-coming-hang-on/

Hi @Greatful

 

Thanks for your message. It is honestly horrendous what these drugs can do to you. I was so unaware of what was going to happen when I was advised to stop cold turkey and then treated with Diazepam to ‘ease’ the symptoms before being taken off too quickly which has sent me into this mess.

 

I know what you mean about the numb and shrinking brain. I was having SEVERE brain zaps/constant static which took me to A&E multiple times through fear of seizures. They kept me up all night and I just sat rocking holding my head hoping it would stop. It did. But my brain literally felt like it seized up from bottom to top within the space of a couple of days. It now feels completely empty, numb, missing and this has kicked off the complete emotional numbness and vision/hearing perception problems that make me feel like I am not in the real world.

 

I have read both in search of some reassurance. I scroll daily in the hope I will find someone that has recovered from this type of thing. I feel like I have lost everything about who I am and permanently brain damaged.

 

how are you getting on and have you found anything to subside/get better?

 

It would be good to have a chat if and when you’re free, let me know

 

Thanks🙂

[CeruleanSea]

My worst symptom of ssri withdrawal is word-finding problems of all kinds.   This is also a common menopause symptom, so my MD has me on estrogen.   But despite the estrogen, I still experience an increase in symptoms with every reduction. 
 

However I can say that my last reduction, I had these symptoms and they did improve significantly over months.