Suffering with overstimulation, brain fog and fatigue

[Chans11]

Hi all

I am after some advice on a few things ive suffered with since having my daughter in 2021 - I have been suffering with overstimulation, brain fog, fatigue and body aches.

I have been doctors for bloods and every time it comes back with a Vit D deficiency which I am taking over the counter supplements for (not low enough for prescription). I have got to the point now where i’ve really had enough of it. I wake up exhausted before I’ve even started the day and find it really hard when my daugther plays up as feel my head is just going to explode. I eat well but thinking whether there is a certain diet that may help with my symptoms? Or anything else I can try i.e yoga. Has anyone suffered the same?

As wel as having a baby in 2021 I also lost my father whilst 7 months pregnant and found the 1st year of raising a baby and grieving extremely difficult and believe my brain hasnt been the same since

Any advice greatly appreciated

Have you grieved for your father? If you haven't processed it yet that could be a contributing factor.

Do you need to increase your Vit D intake further? How are your iron levels?

Then there's the usual suggestions - depression, anxiety or PPD. Is a consultation with another GP a possibility if you feel you're being fobbed off? The death of a parent while pregnant and then caring for your baby are both major life changes, it's normal to be thrown off kilter.

I hope you feel yourself soon.

There are various over the counter strengths of Vit D, however you do need to take it with Vit K for better absorption. For comparison a healthy person needs 1,000 iu in the winter months only so somebody deficient needs 3,000 to 5,000 iu every day (with vit k).

So what strength have you been taking? With or without vit k? And what were your other vitamin and iron levels at that time?

EDIT - stress can deplete your vitamin levels quite quickly so even if you think you have a good diet it might not be enough under times of stress.

Thyroid?

I'm sorry you've had such an awful time. The first 2-3 years after a major bereavement can be seriously hideous. Add into that pregnancy and caring for a baby... Well, that level of prolonged stress would account for those symptoms.

How much time do you get outdoors currently? And exercising?

I wouldn't claim it will magically make everything better, but gradually building up some form of gentle exercise like yoga can help with mood and energy levels. It might give you a bit of a focus too. Even if you just start with a gentle 5 minutes every day or every other day until it becomes habit.

Sunlight, even being outside for less than half an hour on a cloudy day, can help too. Not as a one off but again building it into your routine until it becomes habit.

How old are you? Could you be peri-menopausal?

What else did they check with your bloods - did they check for anaemia and your thyroid levels?

I'm wondering whether Vit B12 might help with the fatigue and brain fog. In fact, having just read up on it, I think I might start taking some myself!

You need to get enough sleep, drink enough water, eat a balanced diet and get outdoors, even if you feel knackered and don't want to - the fresh air and exercise will help you sleep better.

I had exactly this and it was coeliac disease, triggered by my pregnancy.

You need to ask the GP to test your bloods for coeliac

I was going to say B12. You've described my symptoms and I also had sore joints, tingling in arms and feet as well as struggling to remember family members' names. I thought I had early Alzheimers (my brother was diagnosed at 60 and died earlier this year)

My GP did a blood test and it showed very low B12 as well as some other poor results. The cause was coeliac disease (which I'm very grateful for as the GP was convinced I had bleeding tumours- although coeliac is horrible)

Hi all

thanks so much for your messages. I am now looking into the possible coeliac route (currently have Ibs) as i suffer with horrendous bloating aswel which I know can be a symptom of that also.

i didnt know about adding in Vitamin K with the vitamin D so will start that asap.

I have had my tyroid checked and all OK - I am 33 and dont believe i am going through pre menopause.

i am going to start introducing yoga and light exercise to my lifestyle to see if that helps and make sure i walk outside everyday.

I really hope I start to see an improvement soon!

Sounds like ME.

There'd be other things to rule out first, but honestly, ME, or perhaps long covid, would fit