[unicornlady]

Hi all,

This is my first new thread (other than the welcome post in the general forum) so bear with me.

For context, I’m taking Lithium 600mg 2x/day, Levothyroxine 100mcg, Fish oil, and Seroquel 50mg.

I had quite the manic episode, due to the fact that I used a rescue inhaler (because I couldn’t breathe). I’m currently mostly back to normal in terms of mood, but I have the worst case of fog brain. I’ve had this before after manic episodes, but usually I don’t have anything else to do, because I’m so manic I’ve dropped out of college for that term or whatever. This time around, my manic days were thankfully during Thanksgiving break, but I’m going back tomorrow morning. Currently, I’m having trouble reading more than a page of text or concentrating for more than 10 minutes. I went to Walmart and after 20 minutes I got really overwhelmed by all the colors. Everything seemed too bright. My head feels like it’s full of cotton or Jell-O. I can do useful work for 10-20 minutes at a time, but then I can’t even comprehend what’s going on or speak in full sentences.

Part of the problem is, it seems like my brain was overstimulated by the brief and intense mania. I really don’t seem to be having any mood issues currently. Just cognition issues. When I’ve really experienced these cognition issues before, it’s been in the context of major depression. It seems weirdly out of context.

Does anyone have any advice for how to recover from this? I have 2 weeks of school (starting tomorrow) that end in final exams, and it would be nice to be able to concentrate. I’m not against making arrangements with professors, but I have already had to do that for physical health reasons this semester, and I don’t want to be that annoying student.

I just don’t know if my brain will be able to recover in time!

Hoping someone has a helpful hint of what to do - mood seems fine, and meds seem fine, so I'd rather not mess with the meds I'm already taking.

~unicornlady

[gayleggg]

I would start with making a list of the things you need to do and then break them into smaller steps, so it's not too overwhelming. Then concentrate on getting one thing done at a time. It helps me stay on track. The notes help you focus.

[Homeira]

Make sure you eat and take some supplements. Drink a lot of water, get some fresh air. Sometimes a good strong cup of coffee! These things seem to help me a little bit when I feel like that. But I really dont know what will make it clear up completely. Wish I knew. I tend to think it is part of my illness. Who knows, maybe its the meds I am taking. I struggle with brain fog a lot. BP really has taken a toll on me in terms of my endurance.

[~Christina]

Yep make that list as Gayle suggested, Break up your work sessions, take a walk , run or just pop on some music and dance around, can help burn off the excess energy or mania and boost you if your in depression land.

Go hour by hour, Keep your eye on that finish line its getting closer and closer.

Welcome to PC,,,, I'ts a great place to post , find support, rant and rave.

[BipolaRNurse]

Always keep a small writing pad or Post-it notes with you. It helps a lot to actively write things down that you need to remember. I've got brain fog something fierce due to my BP and the meds being used to treat it, so you are definitely not alone! Also, the members above gave you some really good ideas. Try them and see what works for you.

[Standup2me]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

Always keep a small writing pad or Post-it notes with you. It helps a lot to actively write things down that you need to remember. I've got brain fog something fierce due to my BP and the meds being used to treat it, so you are definitely not alone! Also, the members above gave you some really good ideas. Try them and see what works for you.

I do the same thing. I am totally lost without my lists

[unicornlady]

The fog is finally lifting - it gets better each time I get a full night of sleep. I've been surviving by concentrating on one thing at a time, writing everything down if I want to remember it, and adding a multivitamin. Taking long walks has been helping me even out. It's been essential for me to concentrate on the task at hand and not get upset by everything I have to do in the future. Also, if I'm trying to write an email, and I can't make it coherent, I just leave it as a draft and come back to it later, instead of getting upset.

Thanks for the help everyone! You've made brain fog a manageable problem.