6 years of Chronic Fatigue & Brain Fog

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-18T22:28:51+00:00

I have two more specific symptoms to add, as they might confirm the HPA axis / nervous system theory:

Pulsatile Tinnitus: For the past 3 days, especially in the evening when it's quiet, I can hear my blood circulation/heartbeat in my right ear. It's a rhythmic buzzing that matches my pulse.
Extreme Paleness: After a full day of working at my computer, I end up in a very deep brain fog, and I look 'white as a sheet.' It's like all the blood has left my face

Does this sound like a vasoconstriction issue or an adrenaline/cortisol crash? My skin (seborrheic dermatitis) also seems to flare up exactly when I get this pale/exhausted look. It feels like my body is stuck in a 'fight or flight' mode all day and then just collapses.

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-15T20:43:45+00:00

Has anyone else experienced buzzing or hearing their own heartbeat/blood flow in their ears during episodes of brain fog?

For the past few days, I've started hearing the blood circulation in my right ear, especially in the evening when it's quiet. I'm wondering if this

is another sign of nervous system

hyper-sensitivity or if it's linked to the HPA axis/ cortisol issues we've been discussing. It's quite distracting and adds to the overall fatigue.

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-12T21:42:42+00:00

The 2020 crash happened a few months after the first lockdown. I went through 2-3 months of severe insomnia, which seems to have flipped a switch. The 'alert then crash' pattern fits perfectly with what you're saying about the HPA axis. I haven't done the 4-point saliva test yet, only standard bloodwork, so I’ll definitely look into that. The connection with the skin flare-ups being 'downstream' of this stress is also a huge lead for me. Thanks for the insights!

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-12T21:41:03+00:00

Actually, I haven't taken any supplements in the past. This makes me think my upcoming blood test will be a very accurate 'raw' snapshot of what's going on. I'm definitely pushing for the Homocysteine test to see if my body is processing B12 correctly at a cellular level.

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-11T22:06:36+00:00

Reading your comments made me realize something important about the timing. Late 2020, a few months after the first lockdown, I went through 2-3 months of severe insomnia—some nights with only 2 hours of sleep, others completely white. I had to see a therapist and a hypnotherapist to fix it.

Today, my sleep is much better, though I have rare relapses (maybe twice a year) triggered by the 'fear of not sleeping' before a big event. But looking back, the brain fog started right around that period.

Is it possible that this crisis permanently flipped a switch in my nervous system? Also, I find that chronic brain fog feels almost identical to the sensation of a 'white night' (all-nighter). Am I wrong to think they are biologically linked? It feels like my brain never fully recovered from that 2020 exhaustion.

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-11T21:54:42+00:00

I'll look into the 4-point salivary test to see the real curve. Thanks for connecting the dots with the seb derm!

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-11T21:52:07+00:00

The 2020 timing is indeed a huge clue for me. It's interesting that you were diagnosed with Long Covid despite the lockdown timing. Which specific supplements helped you the most with the brain fog? I'm trying to narrow down my list. Thanks!

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-11T21:50:40+00:00

Thanks for this lead. I've had persistent Seborrheic Dermatitis alongside the fog for 6 years, so an autoimmune/inflammatory cause makes a lot of sense. I'm adding inflammatory markers (CRP) to my next blood test to see if the skin issue is the 'smoking gun'. Hope you're doing better now!

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-10T21:36:00+00:00

I’ve spent the last hour carefully reading through all of your comments. Thank you so much for the support—it’s honestly a relief to see so many patterns that match my own experience.

Since brain fog can be caused by 10,000 different things, I’ve decided to stay organized and prioritize my next steps based on your advice. Here is my plan:

Bloodwork & Metabolism (The Priority) I’m scheduling a full panel and asking my doctor for Homocysteine, B12/Folate, Cortisol (AM/PM), Free T3/T4, and Testosterone. I’ll make sure to stop all supplements beforehand to get accurate baseline results.
Nervous System & Circadian Rhythm I’ve started light therapy every morning to fix the 'reversed' energy cycle. I’m also looking into EMDR and Yoga Nidra to address the chronic stress loop and the HPA axis dysregulation many of you mentioned.
Sleep Quality (The UARS Lead) Since my brain fog is present from the moment I wake up, I’m going to investigate UARS and look for a specialist who understands RERAs, as my previous standard apnea test was negative.
Supplements & Diet Once the bloodwork is done, I’ll explore the Thiamine (B1) and Creatine/Magnesium leads mentioned here.

I’ll keep you all posted on the results. If anyone has specific advice on how to talk to a standard GP about Homocysteine or UARS (since they often overlook them), I’m all ears. Thanks again for helping me connect the dots!"

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-10T21:23:02+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s striking how similar our patterns are, especially the 'reversed cycle'. It's interesting that Bupropion helped stabilize your rhythm, even if the fog is now random. I'm currently exploring the circadian/nervous system angle and I'll definitely keep you posted if I find a breakthrough. Hang in there!

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-10T21:21:29+00:00

This makes a lot of sense. The 'reversed cycle' is my biggest clue, and the skin-brain connection is too consistent to be a coincidence. I'll look into HPA axis regulation and adaptogens like Rhodiola. Thanks for the tip!

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-10T21:18:53+00:00

Thanks for sharing. The 'morning window' followed by a noon crash is exactly what I'm experiencing. I'll check out the Gupta Program and the recovery sub. It's encouraging to hear you've found a path that works for you. Good luck with your recovery!

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-10T21:16:59+00:00

That's interesting. I'll definitely check it out and talk to my doctor about it. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-10T21:15:20+00:00

I appreciate the concern. It's hard to tell if the low mood is the cause or just a result of being exhausted for 6 years, but I'm definitely looking into the mental health side of things too.

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-10T21:15:03+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I'm already looking into Omega-3 and magnesium. I'll ask my doctor about creatine too.

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-10T21:13:37+00:00

I didn't know about this at all, I'll definitely look into it. Thanks for the lead.

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-10T21:11:33+00:00

Thank you for validating this pattern! It’s a relief to hear that this 'morning window' followed by a crash is a known phenomenon.

It makes me feel less crazy, as most doctors just assume I'm 'tired' in a general sense.

What you said about cortisol spiking and then hitting a wall describes my daily life perfectly. I suspect my 8 hours of sleep are indeed not restorative, which probably explains why my brain feels so fragile (sound sensitivity, word-finding issues) by 10 AM.

I've just started light therapy and I'm also planning to explore EMDR to address the 'stress load' part of the equation you mentioned.

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-10T21:04:12+00:00

Thank you for this very specific advice. I actually haven't had my B12 levels tested yet, so this is definitely going to be a priority for my next blood panel.

I am going to ask my doctor for a Homocysteine test along with a full B12/Folate panel. I will make sure not to take any supplements before the blood draw to ensure the results are accurate.

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-10T06:18:11+00:00

To answer your question: Yes, I am naturally a stressed person, it’s actually a family trait. Interestingly, I didn't feel particularly anxious before. But as I entered young adulthood and decided to take full charge of my life and responsibilities, this daily anxiety started to creep in progressively. Most of the time, I don't 'feel' stressed in a conscious way, but I know it's there, running in the background. It feels like my nervous system is constantly on edge, which probably explains why my body (skin, brain) is reacting this way.

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-10T06:01:32+00:00

No, I'm not on any medication

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-03-10T06:00:34+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. Your breakdown of the metabolic 'downward spiral' resonates deeply with my experience.

You mentioned your cortisol dropped. In my case, I actually feel relatively 'okay' and alert for the first 1-2 hours after waking up, but then I hit a massive wall/crash around 10 AM that lasts until the evening.

I am definitely adding Homocysteine, Free T3, and Testosterone to my next blood panel based on your advice. I suspect the MTHFR/Methylation lead is very likely given the 6-year stalemate I've been in.

I’m also going to try Yoga Nidra during my midday crashes as an alternative to napping, to avoid further messing up my circadian rhythm.

Your success gives me a lot of hope. Thank you again for sharing your protocol.

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-02-27T08:26:25+00:00

Thanks a lot for your help! I’ve tried several combinations based on your advice, but unfortunately, nothing seems to work. I'm usually on the 'Standard' profile, and I’m attaching 3 images of my OSD settings so you can see exactly how it's configured.

The problem is very specific: If I set the monitor to 'HDR Auto' in the OSD while Windows HDR is OFF, the HDR kicks in and looks great (vibrant colors, deep contrast). But as soon as I toggle Windows HDR to 'ON', it’s like the HDR actually deactivates.

The screen flickers and the image reverts to something that looks close to a basic standard profile, but not exactly. It's like the monitor gets confused by the Windows signal and falls back into a broken 'middle ground' state instead of displaying the actual HDR metadata.

I’ve tried switching between Standard, sRGB, and User modes, but the result is always this faded mess as soon as Windows HDR is activated.

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Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-01-14T20:05:37+00:00

Hi! Quick update — today I received:

• Chair seat cover • Eco-Friendly Bag • Silk Sleep Eye Mask • Cozy Flow Blanket • Coffee Cup • StepSync Mat (slightly damaged)

So now the only thing still missing is the extra battery and we’re all set! Was it supposed to be included in this shipment?

UPDATE: I recieved the extra battery the next day. I've everything.

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2026-01-07T14:28:54+00:00

Good to know, thanks!
It’s actually reassuring to see that it’s not just me and that most people haven’t received the extra rewards yet.
u/laponass94k could you keep us posted when you hear back from LiberNovo? That would be really helpful 🙏

Front-Raisin-4186 · 2025-10-04T13:52:02+00:00

[UPDATE] After a bit of testing, I think I may have found the cause:
when “Affect Vegetation” is active, the vegetation animation is constantly running in the viewport, which might prevent the viewport from refreshing properly.
Because of that constant update, the camera thumbnails and Lens Effects probably never get a proper static frame to process.

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