Odetta Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 I am bipolar, and take 200 mg lamotragine, 40 mg generic geodon, and 100 mg trazadone, a cocktail that works very well for my moods. But it leaves me with brain fog. I am normally very organized, pulled together, prepared, etc. Now, with meds, I have turned scatterbrained and forgetful. I joke about it to my boss, calling it a short term memory issue when he looks frustrated that I can't remember the simple instructions he gave me yesterday. Even my husband - the most scatterbrained person I know, has noticed the difference. I plan and make recommendations for people's money, recommendations that come from analysis of many variables. If I can remember them all, I can make a good plan. I am also in a master's level course that is kicking my butt because I can't remember all that I need to remember. This from a person that aced her way through school and college with a double major. Please tell me there is a solution for this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfranco92 Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 I'm schizoaffective, but when I was diagnosed as bipolar 1, pdoc told me that the brain fog is apart of the illness and is a side effect of the medication (she said this applies to those with sza too). Concentration, attention span, motivation and memory all suffer from MI and medication. I don't know what you can do to help. For those without a psychotic disorder, my pdoc said ADD meds could help with concentration and what not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gearhead Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 This is not a permanent solution, but it generally buys me a few hours. Get in the shower, or stick your head under the tap, and alternate between water as hot as you can take it and as cold as you can take it. Go back and forth, a minute or so on each (for Pete's sake, don't scald yourself, it doesn't have to be that hot), two or three repetitions usually works best for me and I end on cold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 I understand about brain fog due to meds as that is an issue that I'm dealing with presently at university. I take Ritalin which helps me with the brain fog and concentration and that is about all it helps me with (pdoc prescribed it as an adjunct to my antidepressants which it doesn't help). But I don't know if your doctor would be on board with giving you a stimulant since you are bipolar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likeabowlof0ranges Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 Hmphh. My pdoc says that brain fog, just should not be tolerated. It's not part of the illness, it's completely a med thing (well in her opinion). She always says that if someone is having brain fog it mostly means they are just a teeny bit over medicated. Probably not what you wanted to hear since it all works well for you. I was on ritalin as a kid, and I hated it. You could not pay me money to take it again, but I think I just had a bad run, probably because I uh don't have ADHD like they thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo77 Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 adderall is what worked for me to get me out of the brain fog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dedoubt Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 I agree with the Adderall comment. Though it doesn't take away all of the fog and memory problems, it definitely helps. My pdoc is willing to prescribe stimulants to people with BP, if they are stable. I've been on it since January and haven't had problems with my mood or psychosis related to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alien Navel Cord Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 I have bad brain fog problems - bad memory, poor concentration... but instead of the meds (which I am sure play a part), I feel that I've actually had this problem since I was a kid, so I am going to ask my pdoc about ADD. Even if it turns out I don't have ADD maybe he can still prescribe me a non-stimulant drug to help combat the brain fog. I work at a job that requires me to focus and move as fast as I can and so far I am failing to do so. My review is coming up soon and I want to show management some positive results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScrambleHead Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 It is possibly due to stress on the liver from meds. Drink more water, try a herbal liver supplement. Get a blood test while you have brain fog. your enzymes might be normal high, if so try get them normal low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notfred Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 You need to bring this to your docs attention and not decide on its cause and treatment via an Internet board. Talk to your doc. The least likely is this has anything to do with your liver. Given that this would seem to have significant repercussions at your job means is deserves a full workup from an expert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 It is possibly due to stress on the liver from meds. Drink more water, try a herbal liver supplement. Get a blood test while you have brain fog. your enzymes might be normal high, if so try get them normal low. Do you have a source that says that brain fog is caused by liver damage? Please link to it, I have never heard this before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScrambleHead Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 Just anecdotal information but going through google search results there seems to be a connection. http://www.liversupport.com/wordpress/2012/06/the-connection-between-brain-fog-and-liver-health/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conchar928 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 have you looked into nootropics, like piracetam? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScrambleHead Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 piracetam is neurotoxic I wouldnt touch it, there are reports of being suffering anhedonia after its use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notfred Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I am in agreement with recommendation for stims. Recent titration of AED's brought on short term brain fog which was relieved as soon as the Vyvanse kicked in in the morning.It is possibly due to stress on the liver from meds. Drink more water, try a herbal liver supplement. Get a blood test while you have brain fog. your enzymes might be normal high, if so try get them normal low. Do you have a source that says that brain fog is caused by liver damage? Please link to it, I have never heard this before. I can tell you from having liver disease if your LFT's are high there are going to be other symptoms hard to miss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 Do you mean symptoms including brain fog? I'm sorry, I'm a little out of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScrambleHead Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 Try drinking a lot more water, 3 litres a day and half a litre of gatorade. See if that helps, I think it is worth a shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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