Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 18, 2024, 11:31:17 pm

Login with username, password and session length


Members
Stats
  • Total Posts: 772783
  • Total Topics: 66296
  • Online Today: 328
  • Online Ever: 5484
  • (June 18, 2021, 11:15:29 pm)
Users Online
Users: 0
Guests: 214
Total: 214

Welcome


Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS.  Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning:  Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.

  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

  • Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators of these forums. Click here for “Do I Have HIV?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

  • We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are true and correct to their knowledge.

  • Product advertisement—including links; banners; editorial content; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from POZ.

To change forums navigation language settings, click here (members only), Register now

Para cambiar sus preferencias de los foros en español, haz clic aquí (sólo miembros), Regístrate ahora

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: Brainfog  (Read 13665 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Ant

  • Member
  • Posts: 18
Brainfog
« on: March 16, 2007, 04:52:29 am »
I know this has been mentioned before but sometimes it drives me crazy, not that I wasn't a little beforehand.

The feeling of walking down the street like you are a couple of steps behind your physical body, whooshing noises in the head, tinnitus, aching neck and bad headaches. Fortunately there are no voices in my head so that is something to be thankful for.

I get this recurring problem, thought it might be the efavirenz but changed a while ago and have the brainfog again or is this recurring sinus problems. Been checked out by the doc and nothing shows.

Praise to the person that came up with 'Brainfog' it is the best descriptive way to describe the feeling....
'Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.' Soren Kierkegaard

Offline Matty the Damned

  • Member
  • Posts: 12,277
  • Antipodean in every sense of the word
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2007, 06:39:27 am »
Praise to the person that came up with 'Brainfog' it is the best descriptive way to describe the feeling....

Matty the Damned thinks "AIDS Daze" is better.

MtD

Offline RapidRod

  • Member
  • Posts: 15,288
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2007, 06:48:44 am »
Matty, does that mean "AIDS Daze" = AD, combined with with ADHD = "One fucked up individual?" ;)

Offline scud44

  • Member
  • Posts: 393
  • I am watching you
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2007, 07:23:48 am »
My whole life is surrounded by head noises and dizziness - I was on Efavirenz and the put me onto Abacavir instead and the noises have become worse - I am going to Sydney next week to see a specialist neurologist to see what he thinks - The last time I saw him , he discovered a benign brain tumor - great help that was - the town where I live can't supply the medical attention I need so I have to travel about 1000kms to sydney for help. bloody expensive and unneccesary.
Yes I can understand it being called Brainfog and I hope no one else has the symptoms I have - If they persist - I will take a short cut off this earth
CD4 = 110 - 30 July 2007 - 10%
VL = 139000 - 30 July 2007
CD4 = 252 - 6th August 2007
VL = 16400 - 23rd August 2007
CD4 = 240 - 23rd August 2007
VL = 400 4th Sept 2007
CD4 = 96 - 4th Sept 2007
CD4 = 120 18th Sept 2007
VL = 386000 19th Nov 2007
CD4 = 160 19th Nov 2007
CD4 = 110 10th Jan 2008
CD4 = 311 29th Jan 2008
VL = <50 29th Jan 2008
CD4 = 148 2nd April 2008
VL = 110,000 2nd April 2008
June 2010 and nothing has improved

Offline DanielMark

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,475
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2007, 07:29:27 am »
Hey Ant,

There is also the shorter version of a brain fog episode called the Brain Fart (aka a Senior Moment, well known to those of us who are of the baby boomer set). For example, you go into a room and suddenly don’t know why you did that.

Daniel
MEDS: REYATAZ & KIVEXA (SINCE AUG 2008)

MAY 2000 LAB RESULTS: CD4 678
VL STILL UNDETECTABLE

DIAGNOSED IN 1988

Offline dtwpuck

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,013
  • дано мне тело, что мне делать с ним?
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2007, 07:38:02 am »
I get it sometimes...  I feel like I am an observer in my own life, looking through the wrong end of a telescope.

Drives me nuts. 

Brainfog's a good word. 
Floating through the void in the caress of two giant pink lobsters named Esmerelda and Keith.

Offline scud44

  • Member
  • Posts: 393
  • I am watching you
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2007, 07:43:23 am »
Amyl helps
CD4 = 110 - 30 July 2007 - 10%
VL = 139000 - 30 July 2007
CD4 = 252 - 6th August 2007
VL = 16400 - 23rd August 2007
CD4 = 240 - 23rd August 2007
VL = 400 4th Sept 2007
CD4 = 96 - 4th Sept 2007
CD4 = 120 18th Sept 2007
VL = 386000 19th Nov 2007
CD4 = 160 19th Nov 2007
CD4 = 110 10th Jan 2008
CD4 = 311 29th Jan 2008
VL = <50 29th Jan 2008
CD4 = 148 2nd April 2008
VL = 110,000 2nd April 2008
June 2010 and nothing has improved

Offline ACinKC

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,994
  • Bring it VIRUS! #2 Ranked In-crowd Member!
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2007, 10:46:47 am »
Yesterday I thought I lost $220.  I went through EVERY pair of pants and all my shirts and my car, my house I MEAN EVERYWHERE looking for it.  I remembered putting it in my pocket on monday.  And thats the last I remember it.

Today I come in to work, flip a page on the dayplanner I use here and BANG there it is.  I STILL dont remember taking it back out of my pocket and placing it on my desk.

Brain fog.
LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT A
RIDE!!!

Offline racingmind

  • Member
  • Posts: 236
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #8 on: March 16, 2007, 11:08:21 am »
After I was first diagnosed, I told my ID doctor that I was experiencing "brainfog" (Yes, strangely I used that exact term as well).  He didn't really address it because I was newly diagnosed and obviously full of anxiety, anger, sadness and all the other things that come along with finding out you have been infected.  I did have some sinus issues at the time as well.   Eventually, the brainfog feeling diminished and I begain to feel "normal" in the head again.  I don't know if meds can cause this feeling....but for me it seemed to be mental trauma/exhaustion that caused it at the time. 

As always, when in doubt, mention it to your doctor... :)
Tested Negative: 5/06
Tested Positive: 9/06 
9/06: CD4: 442 (28%) VL: +100,000
10/06: CD4: 323 (25%) VL: 243,440
11/06: CD4: 405 (28%) VL: 124,324
12/06: CD4: 450 (29%) VL: 114,600
1/07: CD4: 440 (27%) VL: 75,286
3/07: CD4: 459 (30%) VL: 44,860
5/07: CD4: 353 (24%) VL: 50,852
7/07: CD4: 437 (29%) VL: 39,475
9/07: CD4: 237 (32%) VL: 372,774
10/07: CD4: 324 (27%) VL: 115,454 
Started Atripla: 10/07
11/07: CD4: 524 (?%) VL: Undetectable!
2/08: CD4: 653 (35%) VL: undetectable
5/08: CD4: 822 (40%) VL: undetectable
8/08: CD4: 626 (35%) VL: undetectable
12/08: CD4: 619 (36%) VL: undetectable
3/09: CD4: 802 (38%) VL: undetectable
7/09: CD4: 1027 (43%) VL: not tested
10/09: CD4: 1045 (43%) VL: undetectable

Offline Ant

  • Member
  • Posts: 18
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #9 on: March 16, 2007, 12:15:45 pm »
The other day I phoned my friend on my mobile then started to look through my CD's and totally forgot I dialled her until I heard a small voice saying hello hello hello! :P
'Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.' Soren Kierkegaard

Offline thunter34

  • Member
  • Posts: 7,374
  • His name is Carl.
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #10 on: March 16, 2007, 01:29:24 pm »
After I was first diagnosed, I told my ID doctor that I was experiencing "brainfog" (Yes, strangely I used that exact term as well).  He didn't really address it because I was newly diagnosed and obviously full of anxiety, anger, sadness and all the other things that come along with finding out you have been infected.  I did have some sinus issues at the time as well.   Eventually, the brainfog feeling diminished and I begain to feel "normal" in the head again.  I don't know if meds can cause this feeling....but for me it seemed to be mental trauma/exhaustion that caused it at the time. 

As always, when in doubt, mention it to your doctor... :)

It seems to me like a lot of doctors are somewhat dismissive of this concept altogether.  They don't seem very receptive to hearing that some of these meds might be having psychological ramifications of the people taking them...I mean, beyond something like Sustiva that is too documented to be dismissed.  I think it is a lot like mental issues in general- somewhat "invisible", so easier to disregard.
AIDS isn't for sissies.

Offline aupointillimite

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,233
  • FUS DO RAH!
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #11 on: March 16, 2007, 02:31:13 pm »
The other day I phoned my friend on my mobile then started to look through my CD's and totally forgot I dialled her until I heard a small voice saying hello hello hello! :P

Sometimes I'll call people and forget who I'm calling.

They pick up, "Hello?"
Me: "Hello... yeah... uh... who is this?"
"You're an idiot, Benj."

About 80% of the time, it's when I'm doing one of my infamous drunk dials... so I try to not worry about too much.
Your tastebuds can't repel flavor of this magnitude!

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #12 on: March 16, 2007, 02:33:42 pm »
I've had brain fog my entire life, so it pre-dates any HIV
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline Jeffreyj

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,403
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #13 on: March 18, 2007, 07:48:01 am »
Sometimes I can't remember taking my meds, having done so 5 minutes prior. Gawd I hate that but it happens all the time. I take double doses all the time I'm sure of it! No wonder I feel like I just drank Drano most of the time!
Positive since 1985

Offline J.R.E.

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #14 on: March 18, 2007, 07:55:46 am »
Sometimes I can't remember taking my meds, having done so 5 minutes prior. Gawd I hate that but it happens all the time. I take double doses all the time I'm sure of it! No wonder I feel like I just drank Drano most of the time!



I am the same way Jeffery. When I take my meds, I have to immediately right it on the calendar, that I took the AM and the PM dose. I can forget an hour later, if I don't write it down. I thought I had mentioned this in another thread, or perhaps it's brainfog hitting again. We must have a few threads going regarding brainfog !  :-\



Ray
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline milker

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,034
  • Protected phone sex
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #15 on: March 18, 2007, 11:06:58 am »
Well I've experienced this brainfog all my life, before hiv and before meds, so how bad is that gonna be when i'm on meds  :o :o :o :o :o

It's usual for me (more than twice a day) to be in a room or in the kitchen and stop there and wonder "why the f* am I here" or "ok i'm in the kitchen what was I supposed to get?" I can't go shopping without a shopping list or it's going to need 10 trips to get everything I need.

Is that what you experience? Or is it different?
mid-dec: stupid ass
mid-jan: seroconversion
mid-feb: poz
mar 07: cd4 432 (35%) vl 54000
may 07: cd4 399 (28%) vl 27760
jul 07: cd4 403 (26%) vl 99241
oct 07: cd4 353 (24%) vl 29993
jan 08: cd4 332 (26%) vl 33308
mar 08: cd4 392 (23%) vl 75548
jun 08: cd4 325 (27%) vl 45880
oct 08: cd4 197 (20%) vl 154000 <== aids diagnosis
nov 2 08 start Atripla
nov 30 08: cd4 478 (23%) vl 1880 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
feb 19 09: cd4 398 (24%) vl 430 getting there!
apr 23 09: cd4 604 (29%) vl 50 woohoo :D :D
jul 30 09: cd4 512 (29%) vl undetectable :D :D
may 27 10: cd4 655 (32%) vl undetectable :D :D

Now accepting applications from blowjob ninjas™

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #16 on: March 18, 2007, 11:15:04 am »


I am the same way Jeffery. When I take my meds, I have to immediately right it on the calendar, that I took the AM and the PM dose. I can forget an hour later, if I don't write it down. I thought I had mentioned this in another thread, or perhaps it's brainfog hitting again. We must have a few threads going regarding brainfog !  :-\



Ray

Look, I do this too but I really don't think it's connected with HIV.  Rather it's simply an anal retentive obsessive compulsive trait I have.  My mother does the same thing with her calcium ostheoperothic (sp?) pills.  It's just something that's VERY EASY to do when you take medication daily.

I don't write it down, but I've definitely gotten better with it over the years, and certainly it's not a daily occurrence.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline Andy Velez

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 34,126
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #17 on: March 18, 2007, 11:17:22 am »
How about looking for your eyeglasses when they are in your hand or resting on your head. 
Andy Velez

Offline Grinch

  • Member
  • Posts: 325
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #18 on: March 18, 2007, 11:18:02 am »
Sometimes I can't remember taking my meds, having done so 5 minutes prior. Gawd I hate that but it happens all the time. I take double doses all the time I'm sure of it! No wonder I feel like I just drank Drano most of the time!

Thats why I have to use one of those damn weekly pill keeper boxes.  I load it up on Sunday and then when I forget if I took my meds it I look at my computer to see what day it is....I can't remember that either... and if there are pills for that day I take them.

My short term memory really is all fucked up.  I've gotten to the point I check my "sent" box before I email anyone at work.  I've made the mistake of composing an e-mail 3 or 4 times before.  Lucky I don't vacillate on view points very often, otherwise I might be for something before I was against it....

It really is possible to come up with ways to overcome these little issues.  My latest is to never shut the front door behind me unless my keys are in my hand, and to always have back up meds stashed in my car and luggage prior to going anywhere.
Because I can't remember my work address or phone number I have my business card taped to the base of my monitor and I always carry them for reference.  PDA has everyones phone numbers as does my cell phone.  All my log ins are kept in an encrypted file so that I only have to remember one master password. 

  It's a bit more work but life does go on with brain fog.

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #19 on: March 18, 2007, 11:29:19 am »
How about looking for your eyeglasses when they are in your hand or resting on your head. 

Yeah, I do that all the time.  And it gets worse with age.  However, lately I've gotten really good with my keys and they ALWAYS stay in a bowl made of jade in my dining area.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline egello

  • Member
  • Posts: 907
  • cb
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #20 on: March 18, 2007, 11:53:08 am »
so,,, does this mean that us with brain fogs are not as "smart" as rest of the normal population? Can we really be standing in equal capacity or intellectual and critical level as those people who don't experience brain fogs or memory loss?

mine is getting worse and worse...
1/29/07 14 T, 300 k V, 1.8 %
2/22/07 197 T, 247 V, 6.8 %
3/27/07 164 T, <50 V, 5.4 %
5/28/07 177 T, <50 V, 8.2 %
7/28/07 214 T, <50 V, 9.6 %
10/3/07 380 T, <50 V, 10 %

Offline J.R.E.

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #21 on: March 18, 2007, 08:18:11 pm »
Look, I do this too but I really don't think it's connected with HIV.  Rather it's simply an anal retentive obsessive compulsive trait I have.  My mother does the same thing with her calcium ostheoperothic (sp?) pills.  It's just something that's VERY EASY to do when you take medication daily.

I don't write it down, but I've definitely gotten better with it over the years, and certainly it's not a daily occurrence.


That could very possibly be true, but that doesn't explain the momentary loss of .... you know um, um,...   uh ........uhhh, ok no... uh, ohhh,.. ummmm, oh yeah thought, when you in  um, uh,..... conversation.


Ray
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline Grinch

  • Member
  • Posts: 325
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #22 on: March 18, 2007, 09:33:06 pm »
so,,, does this mean that us with brain fogs are not as "smart" as rest of the normal population? Can we really be standing in equal capacity or intellectual and critical level as those people who don't experience brain fogs or memory loss?

mine is getting worse and worse...
I don't believe so.  My issues are strictly short term memory.  Rarely is cognitive thinking effected.  As proof I'm carrying a 4.0 GPA in network security while working full time plus.  Memorizing on the other hand.....  yiikes lets just hope I don't have a class that requires memorization.

Bottom line is we're sick, we just have to adapt. 

Offline Lis

  • Member
  • Posts: 604
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #23 on: March 18, 2007, 10:03:26 pm »
I love you Grinch!!! no use in any of the worry.. Just GET ON WITH IT!!!

lis
(who has her share of AIDS haze)


poz 1986....

Offline budndallastx

  • Member
  • Posts: 463
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #24 on: March 18, 2007, 11:27:51 pm »
I prefer to call it  "A Blonde Moment ..."

Sometimes we all experience these lapses of memory, whether it's pre- or post- HIV or meds.  Its' just part of the way the brain funcitions.  We forget people's names, who we dialed, our wallets, keys, etc.  It's nothing to get worried about unless it is begins to happen more and more frequently. 

I was going to make another point but forgot what I was going to say ... <sigh>

Tom
Meds since: 11/20/2006
Sustiva / Truvada
12/08/2008 VL:<48 CD4 622 (38%)   
9/8/2008 VL:<48 CD4 573 (30%)
5/2008 VL:<48 CD4 464 (30%)
1/2008  VL: <50  CD4 425(28%)
9/2007   VL: <50  CD4 465 (27%)
6/2007   VL: <50   CD4 443 (26%)
3/2007  VL: <50   CD4 385 (25%)
12/2006 - VL: <50   CD4: 384 (25%)
11/2006 - VL:  22K  CD4: 208 (18%)

Offline budndallastx

  • Member
  • Posts: 463
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #25 on: March 20, 2007, 10:07:44 am »
Here's an interesting article on Yahoo today touching on this subject

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070320/ap_on_sc/the_wandering_mind
Meds since: 11/20/2006
Sustiva / Truvada
12/08/2008 VL:<48 CD4 622 (38%)   
9/8/2008 VL:<48 CD4 573 (30%)
5/2008 VL:<48 CD4 464 (30%)
1/2008  VL: <50  CD4 425(28%)
9/2007   VL: <50  CD4 465 (27%)
6/2007   VL: <50   CD4 443 (26%)
3/2007  VL: <50   CD4 385 (25%)
12/2006 - VL: <50   CD4: 384 (25%)
11/2006 - VL:  22K  CD4: 208 (18%)

Offline egello

  • Member
  • Posts: 907
  • cb
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #26 on: March 20, 2007, 12:38:17 pm »
its interesting because last night, i tried to read something complicated where you have to remember the last few sentences you read in order to fully understand the current sentence. Man,,, my mind started wondering like crazy and didn't know what the heck I was reading.... I just couldn't remember the last paragraph or the last few sentences that might explain the complexity of the current sentence that i was reading....
1/29/07 14 T, 300 k V, 1.8 %
2/22/07 197 T, 247 V, 6.8 %
3/27/07 164 T, <50 V, 5.4 %
5/28/07 177 T, <50 V, 8.2 %
7/28/07 214 T, <50 V, 9.6 %
10/3/07 380 T, <50 V, 10 %

Offline Robert

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,658
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #27 on: March 20, 2007, 01:05:24 pm »
 

Grinch says, "Because I can't remember my work address or phone number I have my business card taped to the base of my monitor and I always carry them for reference. "

I can certainly relate to that only with me it's my HOME address and phone number.  I also have them written down on my telephone.

Like the rest of you, I always put my keys in the same place every day.

Ello, reading has become very difficult. So frustrating.  I'm not sure if it works or not but it sure gives me a sense of accomplishment and that is working crossword puzzles and double crosstiks. 
..........

Offline DanielMark

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,475
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #28 on: March 21, 2007, 04:33:13 am »
A few weeks ago a rental agent on my apartment search asked me over the phone for my phone number. Complete blank. LOL
MEDS: REYATAZ & KIVEXA (SINCE AUG 2008)

MAY 2000 LAB RESULTS: CD4 678
VL STILL UNDETECTABLE

DIAGNOSED IN 1988

Offline allopathicholistic

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,258
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #29 on: December 23, 2007, 08:10:04 pm »
:-[
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20283611/

The AIDS virus damages the brain in two ways, by not only killing brain cells but by preventing the birth of new cells, U.S. researchers reported

The study, published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, helps shed light on a condition known as HIV-associated dementia, which can cause confusion, sleep disturbances and memory loss in people infected with the virus.

It is less common in people taking drug cocktails to suppress the virus, and why HIV damages brain function is not clearly understood.

Offline minismom

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,660
  • Quocumque jeceris stabit
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #30 on: December 23, 2007, 09:34:44 pm »
The article (and thanks for posting it!) referrs to the AIDS virus.  I assume that they mean the HIV virus and got caught up on the semantics.  I still think that this has at least contributed to MOST of mini's neuro-issues.  She has bad "brain fog" for years.  She has another MRI on January 2nd to check for inflammatory demylenization neuropathy.  But, this article sure lends credence (sp?) to the fact that mum is not a town crier.

mum
www.watoto.com
www.MotherBearProject.org
"Whichever way you throw me, i will stand"
"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today...it's already tomorrow in Australia"  Charles Schultz

Offline red_Dragon888

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,845
  • Love and Be Love in Return
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #31 on: December 24, 2007, 05:59:45 pm »
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=I3ba3lnFHik

Off Crystal Meth since May 13, 2013.  In recovery with 20 months clean time.

Offline MitchMiller

  • Member
  • Posts: 672
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #32 on: December 25, 2007, 03:42:38 pm »
Had missed this thread when it was originally posted...
At least I see others sometimes can't remember their phone numbers.  My memory is getting worse.  I am thinking of switching from sustiva to viramune hoping that might help a bit.  I've noticed that it's not necessarily simply remembering things... but it's trying to recall things quickly or when I'm put on the spot.  It's as if the retrieval mechanism is being interfered with.  This happens especially when I'm asked a simple question that usually gets an immediate response.  Sometimes my retrieval mechanism just "jams".  It feels like I'm standing up to try to give a speech in front of an audience when you're completely unprepared.  I call it a "mental white-out"... like trying to find your way in a blinding snowstorm.
I believe there is a physiological basis, but I also believe that many of us don't sleep properly.  Sometimes my sleep is tortured with dreams and simply weird mental disturbances.  I'm often so exhausted at the end of a work week that all I can think about is laying in bed most of the day on Saturday to catch up on as much sleep as possible.  I notice my brain function is definitely improved after about three or four days of maximum sleep.  Also, I notice I omit words in my emails.  It's as if my brain is thinking ahead of my typing and when my typing gets behind, my hands just skip words to catch up to my thoughts.  I always have to reread my emails to be sure they're comprehensible... in fact I just did it in this email.

Offline J.R.E.

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #33 on: December 25, 2007, 08:08:39 pm »
  Also, I notice I omit words in my emails.  It's as if my brain is thinking ahead of my typing and when my typing gets behind, my hands just skip words to catch up to my thoughts.  I always have to reread my emails to be sure they're comprehensible... in fact I just did it in this email.


I hear you loud and clear on that. This is happenning to me more often than I care for. Also noticed my handwriting is getting much sloppier, and skipping letters or complete words. So, it's not only in my emails. I was just mentioning this to Alex the other day in an Email. ( or at least I tried to )


Ray
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline MitchMiller

  • Member
  • Posts: 672
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #34 on: December 26, 2007, 03:57:43 am »
Related to this... I saw a segment on PBS last night where the researcher had a rat's brain wired up ... literally wires inserted into the brain that sent signals that were geometrically mapped on a computer screen.  He could see that while the rat dreams, the same patterns recorded during the rat's day's waking hours were repeated.  It's as if the brain is processing the information from the day.
I also used to always dream like this... where my dreams might be strange but they usually had a recognizable element of something I experienced during the day.  In fact, the day would literally seem to play back serially from morning to night.  When I dreamed about something that happened just before I went to sleep, I felt that I was "sleep satiated."
Now, after being HIV infected and on meds, my dreams are all over the place.  Frequently, there seems to be no relationship to what I've experienced during the day.  I never feel totally rested. 
The segment also demonstrated that simple tests like typing a repeating pattern on a keyboard, could be performed much faster and with better accuracy in the morning (after sleep) vs late in the day.  This all seems to me to lend some credence to the theory that something is screwing up the normal processing of day to day information in my brain and subsequently, I'm always performing below par.

Offline BT65

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 10,786
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #35 on: December 26, 2007, 11:16:18 am »
My dreams are always bizarre.  They're surreal and I usually wake up from them in a bad sweat.  I'm not sure that I do perform hand-eye coordinated things better in the morning or not.  I always take a nap in the afternoon.  My sleep has been awful at night, however.  Last night I didn't get to bed until around midnight, which is highly unusual for me.  I'm usually out no later than 11:00.  Then I kept waking up and finally got up about 6:00 this morning.  So I'm feeling quite drained right now, and all I did was exercise, take a shower and go to the library to get some movies. 

But back to the brainfog... this can be quite troublesome for me being in school when it comes to writing papers or trying to remembers things for exams.  Other students tell me about just sitting down at the computer when they write their papers and typing whatever comes to mind.  I can't do that.  I have to put it on notebook paper first, hand-written and always with a million corrections on it.  Oh well, I don't mind that. 

I do crosswords and play Jeopardy (which can be done online also) to try to keep my brain sharp.  Also always trying to learn new things.  For me, it's very important to keep my brain active.
I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Condom and Lube Info https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/safer-sex
Please check out our lessons on PEP and PrEP. https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/pep-prep

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/treatmentasprevention-tasp

Offline Iggy

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,434
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #36 on: December 26, 2007, 11:23:58 am »
I do crosswords and play Jeopardy (which can be done online also) to try to keep my brain sharp.  Also always trying to learn new things.  For me, it's very important to keep my brain active.

I just started doing three of the daily puzzles in the newspaper (Jumble, Wuzzles and Soduko) and it amazes me how much better my concentration in particular has gotten with just doing these damned things everything before bed.

Offline Jeffreyj

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,403
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #37 on: December 28, 2007, 02:55:48 am »
Was taking a shower ..Did I shampoo yet? ugh....I can't recall...


I hate brain Fog
Positive since 1985

Offline Jeffreyj

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,403
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #38 on: December 28, 2007, 02:56:55 am »
Did I mention I hate brain fog???
Positive since 1985

Offline BT65

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 10,786
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #39 on: December 28, 2007, 07:24:01 am »
Iggy, I know sodoku is really becoming extremely popular.  I don't do very well with numbers and have yet to figure out how I just got an A in my college algebra class.  :D  My brother's girlfriend was trying to explain how to do sodoku and printed me out a puzzle.  I have yet to try it. 
I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Condom and Lube Info https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/safer-sex
Please check out our lessons on PEP and PrEP. https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/pep-prep

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/treatmentasprevention-tasp

Offline aztecan

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #40 on: December 28, 2007, 08:41:08 am »
Iggy, I know sodoku is really becoming extremely popular.  I don't do very well with numbers and have yet to figure out how I just got an A in my college algebra class.  :D  My brother's girlfriend was trying to explain how to do sodoku and printed me out a puzzle.  I have yet to try it. 

Oh Betty, once you do you'll probably get hooked. Tim (Moffie) got me hooked on them when we were in Las Vegas with Jan, RAB, Cliff and the gang.

I do at least one a day, usually two or three. I do them while watching television - or rather, listening to television.

It doesn't involve math, just logic. I find it quite stimulating and I think it has improved my concentration somewhat.

HUGS,

Mark

Edited to add: When the spell check hits Sodoku, it comes up with Sodomy as a replacement. Hmmm.

"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline AlanBama

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,670
  • Alabama: the 'other' 3rd World Country!
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #41 on: December 28, 2007, 12:16:46 pm »
I have also been doing Soduko puzzles....I think brain 'exercise' and stimulation are critical.    Also, it needs to be "new and different" things....for instance, the menial tasks of my job are not stimulating my brain, they are just taxing it!

Alan
"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Offline BT65

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 10,786
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #42 on: December 28, 2007, 05:48:58 pm »
Sodomy eh, Mark?  OK, I'll try it.  It just seems to me that things that involve numbers are harder for me to try to figure out.  But I will try it.  I'll probably get hooked as well. 
I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Condom and Lube Info https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/safer-sex
Please check out our lessons on PEP and PrEP. https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/pep-prep

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/treatmentasprevention-tasp

Offline randym431

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,137
Re: Brainfog
« Reply #43 on: December 29, 2007, 10:43:33 am »
I don’t know about you all, but were no spring chickens any more (quote:Aunt Bee).
I've ALWAYS been spacey i.e. forgetting why I went into a room, not finding the right word I want to use, even driving and suddenly not knowing where I am till I see a landmark.
I can't blame that on hiv, I'd like to, but I had that way before hiv.
Being 54, I think a little thing called aging is coming into play more than anything else.
I know when I turned 40, the body took a turn for the worse. And I did nothing different but turn 40.
Someday they may have meds for aging....well maybe.
Diag Sept 2005 VL 1mill, CD4 85, 3%, weight 143# (195# was normal)
Feb 2021, undetectable, weight 215#

 


Terms of Membership for these forums
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.