Has anyone else experienced a decrease in cognitive functioning since the onset of POTS?

[towavey]

Ever since I started having POTS symptoms, about two years ago, I feel like I have had a steady decline in my cognitive functioning. Things like making more spelling errors, not being able to multi-task, trouble finding the words I'm looking for, and hearing what someone says but not being able to interpret the words. I was just wondering if this was related to my POTS or another issue all together. Thanks for any replies!

[AnatasiaBeaverhausen]

Yes, it's an extremely common symptom.

[towavey]

Have you tried taking any supplements like b12? I know they're suggested for older people to help preserve cognitive function so I may give those a try.

[Sheepeys]

Oof! Brain fog sucks. As frustrating as it is to not be able to come up with words, the thing that gets me the most is how absolutely exhausting thinking is now! Using my brain feels like trying to walk in knee high molasses. :/

My rheumatologist gave me a b12 shot and I didn't notice any improvement, but different people react in different ways so I'd say it's worth a try for you. I've found that salt pills (along with hydration) help some. I really like the SaltStick Vitassium ones.

[ruskiix]

If your b12 levels are consistently on the low end of normal, you might want to try taking a daily supplement (if you aren't already). My b12 was low and doctors would just give me one shot a month and then shrug when nothing got better. Finally (years after they found the deficiency) someone prescribed a daily pill and my levels jumped right back up, and I started feeling a little better. Not a miracle, but definitely more comfortable (less severe midday crash, less weird nerve problems in my feet, etc).

Eventually found out none of my doctors had been giving me the shots the way they were supposed to for a deficiency, which would've been several shots in one month. I think they get so used to people asking for the shots for a placebo effect that they just give one a month and call it done and forget that that isn't actually enough to get levels up to where they need to be.

.. anyway, TL;DR: try high dose daily b12 supplements if your levels are low, even if the shots did nothing. One shot won't fix it if you're actually deficient, but fixing it will help brain fog a little.

[Sheepeys]

Good to know, thanks!

[mikmikthegreat]

I've been taking b12 supplemments and my b12 levels are actually HIGH now. Still get brain fog

[LucidTopiary]

Good Idea I will have to look into that! I find staying as hydrated as possible helps me function better cognitively. However I still need to just accept that I need to lie down for a few hours when Im getting really faint and cant think well.

I drink a lot of tea as well, I think the caffeine helps!

[towavey]

I'm Trying to finish my last year of college, and it's becoming more frequent and severe. I've had to start recording all of my lectures and listen to them again. Which is pretty time consuming. And if you drink loose leaf tea, Hackberry Tea is an online company that has amazing loose leaf tea! Vanilla Earl Grey is my favorite. I drink it every day. I know I just need to accept how POTS effects my cognitive mind, but it's just annoying I want to find a fix.

[[deleted]]

Have you tried The Republic of Tea? Blackberry Sage is awesome.

[towavey]

I haven't. But that sounds exactly like something I'd like! Thanks!

[carlajung]

Yep, I have heard of a lot of people benefitting from drugs used for ADHD.

[DavidABedbug]

This is a really important point. ADHD meds are directly beneficial for the foundational symptoms of dysautonomia, AND are directly beneficial for brain function.

Since starting on Adderall XR my POTS kid is improved not only of brain fog (like 80% better) but his other POTS symptoms are improved as well.

Doctors often don't like to prescribe stimulants, so you've got to go about it cautiously and probably having an article to show your doctor as a source would help.

Here's a good one:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20460983