|
Foggy feeling.... Hi everyone-- I am new to the health boards but I am sure glad I found them! For the past 5 years I have had all of these same symptoms : Brain fog feeling disconnected when someone is talking to me its hard for me to take in everything they are saying memory problems fullness in both ears ringing in both ears honestly, its just a drunkish feeling......not a good feeling at all! And, it all started back when I had a bad sinus infection.....I had to have surgery to fix the infection, but this "off" feeling was still there. At that time I was in college and didn't have a whole lot of time to go from doctor to doctor, and it seems as everyone knows that its hard to get a doctor to listen to you with these type of symptoms cuz they think I am crazy...which I know im not. Well, these past couple months its been driving me crazy because I know this feeling is not normal at all....so I've been going doctor to doctor....and Im off to my 3rd ENT tomorrow...hopefully he will listen to me...and I also have an appt. with a neuro-otologist in a couple of weeks...im not stopping until I get this problem figured out! I've also been to a neurologist who put me on anti-depressants (it seems like we've all been through the same thing) and she wanted me to go get counseling to "talk" about this "feeling" im having....good grief. Its gotten bad to where its affecting my driving....does anyone else have that problem? Anyways....does anyone have a good way to describe this feeling to a doctor without them looking at me like im crazy? I really want the doctor to listen to me and help me.......any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Sherrie |
Re: Foggy feeling.... Hi Sherrie: Sorry you are having to deal with this junk and the Medical Blowoff as well. I think you are off to a good start with your list of symptoms and determination to seek out a Dr. who can help. Driving problems I have experienced. My dizziness/anxiety would always be set off when driving, especially when stopped at a light after moving. Actually I had to drop all but one of my college classes last term because my husband had to drive me for awhile 40 min. one way but thankfully now I am driving much better on my own. As for the neurologist suggesting counseling I know of several people who have been helped by it (CBT) and it doesn't necessarily mean it's just all in your head. The cognitive stuff is real and the counseling is just one way of working through it. Don't get discouraged...this can be a long journey for some. Hope you're on your way to some answers. Elisabeth |
Re: Foggy feeling.... Thanks Elisabeth. My appt. today at the ENT (the third one I've been to) didn't go as well as I wanted it to. He just looked in my ears and said that they are fine. Do you know (or anyone else reading this know) when an ENT looks in your ears do they see everything...like your inner ear and all? Im seeing a neuro-otologist in a couple of weeks---do they specialize more in ears than ENT's do? Hoping for a dx soon.... Sherrie |
Re: Foggy feeling.... No actually the inner ear cannot be seen by looking in. Apparently even some testing cannot determine much about the inner ear. An ENT usually deals more with the middle ear, sinuses etc. and sometimes balance disorders, but a neurotologist deals with inner ear & brain which are very closely related, (and why sometimes you get cognitive problems with inner ear problem) as opposed to neurologist who deals mainly with brain/nerves. Balance disorders many times are inner ear related. Some ENT's are good with this but many aren't. Good luck. :cool: Elisabeth |
Re: Foggy feeling.... hey schao.. i've got the exact same symptoms as you... from an ear infection over 3 years ago. I saw a neurotologist about 2 weeks ago and he gave me some exercies to do... i dont know how they are going to help... but i'm going back to see him in abouth a month.. i'll let you know what i learn from all this. :o |
Re: Foggy feeling.... Hey soupyhead..... Did the neurotologist give you any kind of diagnosis? What kind of exercises did he give you to do? Im really just frustrated over the whole thing--the foggy feeling affects my driving and I haven't been to work in almost 3 weeks--I hope I can get some answers soon. Did the neurotologist do any tests on you? The cognitive problems im having are really starting to get to me--makes me feel like im going even more crazy ya know? Sherrie |
Re: Foggy feeling.... Hey soupyhead.... Did the neurotologist give a diagnosis? What kind of exercises does he have you doing? Im really just frustrated with the whole thing b/c its affecting my driving and I havent been to work in 3 weeks. The cognitive problems are a real annoyance, makes me feel like im really going crazy ya know? Let me know how things turn out...any help would be greatly appreciated! Sherrie |
Re: Foggy feeling.... Hey soupyhead.... I've tried to post this message 3 times now, so if it ends up being posted 3 times, sorry about that. Did your neurotologist give you a diagnosis? Did you have any tests done? What kind of exercised are you doing? Im really just getting frustrated with the whole thing ya know? The cognitive problems part is really frustrating, how much does it bother you? I mean, i've had this for the past 5 years, but I think its just come to a point to where I know its not normal and I want to get it taken care of. Let me know how things go with you and with your appointment in 2 weeks! Sherrie |
Re: Foggy feeling.... hi I have been getting off-balance sensations since october. I have had ME/CFS for 12 years and it must be something to do with this. I have spent a lot on private doctors but nothing much has happened. The symptoms have come down a bit but I still get spaced out and weird feelings in my head especially the more I exert myself. Do you think it is worth me asking to see a neuro-otologist? What do they do which is different to an ENT specialist? Someone said they gave him exercises to do. Is that all he did??? Is there anyway they can tell what is causing the problem if it isn't something simple like in the ear. What else can it be anyway? I am fed up of these feeling now and I only feel good when I am lying down in bed or if I take my day really gently. I feel like my brain just wont keep up with movements although I dont get vertigo (spinning) just weird space out, off balance, drunken kind of feelng. Martin |
Re: Foggy feeling.... Hi Martin: Have you seen an ENT? When mine did the ENG/caloric test on my ears he said its purpose was to help determine whether the dizziness was coming from the ear or more of a central cause. If you have read some of the posts on the boards you will find that inner ear problems are anything but simple. But many times with testing and a lot of guesswork they can give you a diagnosis although it may take several months and lots of patience. Usually the first place to start is with an ENT though. Good luck. Elisabeth |
Re: Foggy feeling.... I am pretty sure mine would be a central cause as I have ME/CFS. This is probably what started it off. But what can they do to help if it is a central cause? My symptoms have reduced somewhat in their severity since it started 6 months ago but it can suddenly come on and like today I have been feeling really odd, like a poisoned feeling in my head. Do you know what I mean? I can only get rid of it when I am busy doing something or if I am driving my car for some reason. Also lying in bed is ok too. I have been on antibiotics for over a week now but they have not really done anything. What is an ENG test? Do you think I have vestibular neuritis? This doc I went to see thought whatever it was had affected the nerves which control balance. Is that the vestibular nerve then? Some people with ME take betahistidine, I dont know if anyone on here takes that. Also does this effexor help as some people have said they were on that. I took one ages ago though for anxiey (this was before I had any balance problem) and it made me have stomachache Martin |
Re: Foggy feeling.... ah these messages got all screwed up... the exercies i've been doing involve just looking at a business card and focusing my eyes on one word while i move my head up and down and side to side.. i'm going to talk to to the doc when i go back soon and try to understand all of it better... |
Re: Foggy feeling.... sorr i was testing something, board seems to be acting weird.. i see my previous post now.. |
Re: Foggy feeling.... Hi Martin: An ENG test is a series of tests usually involving tracking (lights) with the eyes, and then the ear canal is stimulated using either water or air. Electrodes are fastened onto the face to track eye movements. This test is done to see if there is vestibular damage, although it is certainly not complete and perfect. It can make some people very dizzy/nauseous, others aren't affected as badly. As for the "poisoned" feeling you have,not quite sure what you mean, but some of the things I have felt is, brainfog (unable to focus) anxiety coming out of nowhere, just general malaise (something's wrong but don't know what) lots of fatigue, etc. etc. Besides the feelings of swaying/movement. I'm sure with your experience you have seen a neurologist but maybe if you visit an ENT and they do some testing, you may want to try and see a neurotologist to pinpoint what is going on if they recommend. I think it would certainly be worth checking out... Inner ear stuff can overlap with neurological stuff (i.e. MAV) where the two conditions kind of play off each other. But you may have something going on separately with your ear too... Hope you feel better and also if you read some of the information archive stuff it can give you a lot more complete info. than many doctors will bother to do! God Bless, :) Elisabeth |
Re: Foggy feeling.... greetings i have had similar symptoms to yours for about 5 years which included blurred vision with difficulty focusing. i have had a cat scan which was neg and my dr thinks im swinging the lead, ive tried one or two different idea which have proved negative, i am now on a strict diet to see if food intolerences are to blame apparently yeast / sugar intolerence can cause confusion and muddled thought i will let you know if i have any success but be assured you are not alone with your symptoms good luck |
Re: Foggy feeling.... I have had this feeling you have described after a very severe bout of vertigo -4 months ago. MRI, CScan, blood work, eye exercises (looking at word on plain background then busy background while moving head up/down side ways-eply mauvner-sitting on the bed 30 sec lying down on right side looking up ayt 45 degree angle then same for the left-been on antibiotics-nothong helps. I had to quit my job-of 22 yrs-couldnt drive-car stop-I felt I was still moveing lol. While driving as the sun shimmers thru the tree brings on the light-headiness/brain fog and confusion-shiny waxed / buffed floors (as in a store), busy wallpaper-or carpet patterns set me off- at times I feel like Im 10 feet tall-other times 3 feet! Brain fog-drunk feelin-difficult concentrating , walking on marshmallows etc.. My primary physician gave up-told me anxiety-1st neurologist says-ear rocks-will go away eventually-may take 6 months or so gave me valium then increase it to 5mg 2x day-still no help. Last neurologist said I was suffering from migraines (without the headache) due to menopause (MAV) wants me to take Depakote a seizure medication-not really ready for that. Some people have said taking antihystimine like benadryl helps-I havent tried that because I take High blood pressure pills. If anyone finds out how to relieve this PLEASE LET ME KNOW- |
Re: Foggy feeling.... Pat, Call your local pharmacist to ask what medications are available that you can take that will not contradict with your blood pressure medication. I am sure there are antihistamines that you could try that will not interact. Also, if your doctor is thinking this may be migraine-related (and it well could be), ask your doctor about a medication called Amitriptyline. It's an older anti-depressant medication that also has been used widely to treat other symptoms, one of them being migraine and vertigo associated with migraines. It can't hurt. I do get very good relief mixing plain aspirin with Liquid Benedryl. Maybe you can find something else comparable. xo |
Re: Foggy feeling.... wowweee you get relief from the foggy head feeling we are explaining from aspirpin and liquid benedryl? i'm gonna ask my dr. next time i go back if he can give me any drugs or recommomend anything... |
Re: Foggy feeling.... "ear rocks"... umm did the doctor know the proper name for this? Calcium deposits, etc... there are manuevers - I believe someone mentioned the Eply manuever to move those, uhh.... "rocks" around. |
Re: Foggy feeling.... Hi Schao, I think I share the same symptoms as you and now I know that its not just me going crazy. I've had a similiar problem on and off for the past 10 years. I would find that the symptoms would last for a good few weeks and then seem to clear for a few weeks after. The symptoms would return and the pattern would be repeated. However, in the last two or three years or so things have been getting worse and now I feel like this most of the time. In summary, the symptoms include: - fullness in the ears; - muzzy and foggy feeling; difficulty to concentrate and take in what people are saying; - a feeling of physical detachment and physical entrapment; - stuffy nose; - swollen neck and glands; some times a sore throat; - burning and itchy ears; - fatigue - generally withdrawn and not wanting to do much. - pressure in the head. - sore eyes and pasty complection (feeling of being washed out). I have noticed that the symptoms worsen at night when it gets dark and also in damp humid weather. I some times get relief on a clear and sunny day. The frustrating this is that I feel like two different people - happy, relaxed and confident when my head is clear; and withdrawn, meloncholly, introspective and nervous when the symptoms reappear. I have very recently had ENT surgery to correct a badly deviated septum and things have improved a bit. My sense of smell has come back which has helped my memory. Over the years, I have tried many, many things including homeopothy, Eastern medicine, acupuncture, change of diet (e.g. excluding dairy), nasal steroid sprays, salt water spays, antibiotics, antihistomene; cognitive therapy and most recently surgery. I know there's an answer out there and let's keep trying to find it. I have been diagnosed by my ENT specialist as suffering from eustachian dysfunction and I'm sure that if I can clear my ears then they would be OK. I tried some acupuncture once and it sometimes gave temporary relief. One time after a session I could breath extroidinarily well through my nose and my ears seemed to clear - it felt like I could feel the air rushing though my ears. I felt a million dollars. Rest assured, I will let everyone know if I find something which helps. |
| All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:12 PM. |