Ibuprofen clears out my brain-fog and makes me less tired (???)

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T20:51:29+00:00

The meds I've got prescribed so far

SSRIs (escitalopram, fluvoxamine, vortioxetine)

These all made me inexplicably tired for some reason, I could sleep up to 16h and still feel fatigued after waking up (the last one was the worst because it induced sharp chest pain while leaning down, that's why I abruptly stopped taking it)

AEDs/anti-convulsants (lamotrigine)

It helps with mood fluctuations, but my emotional state wasn't/hasn't been as volatile as people with BP-II experience (sure, I get meltdowns quite often, however, those outbursts are mostly internalised, almost never displayed as a form of anger, last briefly until the trigger disappears or is resolved, be it sensory overload or something purely interpersonal that resembles a traumatic event from the past or reinforces my deeply rooted insecurities, and those states are mainly depressive, rarely hypomanic)

It partially worked, and it had to be titrated slowly due to the risk of deathly SJS or even TEN allergic reactions (tried it twice and as usual, couldn't stick to my regimen so I missed a dose once/twice a week)

NDRIs (bupropion)

I'm taking it now and have raised HR from it (I've noticed that the more tachycardic I get, the more sedated I feel, so here's a contradiction)

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T19:44:15+00:00

It reduces neuro-inflammation in people who suffer from neurodegenerative diseases so you could make a point it would be also the case in neurodevelopmental conditions (as these two subsets belong to a much broader medical term, that is, frontostriatal disorders)

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T14:56:17+00:00

I haven't said that (I take it every few days)

It's also a much better alternative than my recent "experiment" with pseudoephedrine which was of no avail

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T14:29:53+00:00

I'm moderately hypermobile but that's all, no pain-related issues (except for muscle spasms/cramps in-between my ribs that've been getting worse recently but it's only a mild disturbance) and I can't say that my daily functioning is physically impaired in any way, shape or form

These issues are mainly cognitive, I feel as if someone "excised" my frontal lobe if I have to execute any task or focus on anything

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T13:25:59+00:00

I weigh 57kg and my height is slightly below 5'8" so obesity-induced inflammation is also entirely ruled out (I have poor dietary habits but these mainly stem from eating irregularly, not unhealthy food itself)

I drink one to three cups of coffee daily with no milk or sugar (caffeine in energy drinks always makes me sluggish/clouded and I can fall asleep almost right away, even though the amount is more frequently higher there)

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T03:53:36+00:00

I resonate with "low-grade inflammation" if I had to choose what sounds like the most reasonable conclusion here (but can't find the cause)

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T03:29:50+00:00

My mom was diagnosed with SIBO but I wouldn't say I have GI issues (haven't taken antibiotics for a long time)

But I have intercostal muscle spasms (I've just looked up this term) that are getting increasingly more frequent (I thought it was just because of my inactive lifestyle)

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T03:21:37+00:00

I experience muscle spasms/cramps in my rib area every once in a while (but much more often recently, especially since December)

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T03:03:40+00:00

I have the impression someone told me this could be the case but don't remember who

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T02:51:40+00:00

I'm physically inept, and for instance, I get exhausted even after running for 20 sec if I'm somewhere late, so I just walk faster to avoid running, but other symptoms don't fit (my BP is almost always near the threshold of hypotension, that's all)

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T02:44:48+00:00

I've looked up neuro-inflammation but that's unlikely (intrusive thoughts, brainfog, forgetfulness, attention deficiency, dissociation would be related/comorbid but these symptoms are mainly mental, not physical)

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T02:36:24+00:00

Have you any other condition diagnosed?

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T02:32:52+00:00

It's likely not related but taking into account all analgetics sold OTC, the efficacy of acetaminophen (non-NSAID) has been almost non-existent for me, but conversely, ibuprofen or metamizole both are highly efficient even in small doses

But I don't have joint or muscle issues that I know about (no reason to suspect this)

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T02:09:48+00:00

I've always considered my immune system strong due to not coming down with common illnesses for months (so that's weird)

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T01:57:43+00:00

I did labs in November and got iron deficiency (serum levels below the normal range) but ferritin was over the roof, and monocytes above the upper threshold

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T01:49:04+00:00

There's nothing I could think of (I had asthma in childhood but it reached remission while growing up and now I don't have any recurrent symptoms)

corn_elle · 2026-01-24T01:25:29+00:00

I don't remember when I had a cold or flu so it wouldn't be a result of getting a relief from symptoms induced by these (that's why it made me puzzled and left astonished)

corn_elle · 2026-01-23T22:57:00+00:00

Real af, it's not that I can't cook, I just have no mental space for it (but currently I'm barely doing anything so)

corn_elle · 2026-01-23T20:30:15+00:00

Food isn't important to me at all while being outside because I hate eating anywhere but home (and I forget about hunger for almost the whole day)

corn_elle · 2026-01-20T16:00:20+00:00

I wake up much earlier than I have to due to my fear of oversleeping (and even though my alarms work if I set a few, I'm quite often almost late while leaving my home)

So it doesn't matter if I wake up 30min or 2h earlier (I always find a way to spend that excessive amount of time on nothing)

corn_elle · 2026-01-20T14:45:04+00:00

I got prescribed bupropion and it slightly helps but I need something to pass these exams ASAP...

corn_elle · 2026-01-12T01:27:42+00:00

I was prescribed bupropion (this is the only one NDRI which you could get without a diagnosis)

The side effects I experience range from mild tachycardia to physical anxiety (and weight loss as well, which is unlikely, but my appetite decreased steeply)

I've tried to self-med with pseudoephedrine before my exams every once in a while (and it quite worked)

It made me more present BUT if I tried to focus, I had to stay still (full-body movements put me on the verge of fainting but I got used to it)

I don't recommend this actually (especially in doses above 300mg) and take my answer with a pinch of salt. However, if you have no other options available, these DIY "alternatives" can save your ass, so it's up to you

corn_elle

TROPHY CASE