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Combatting lethargy/spaced out feelings


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I've had HPPD for a couple of years but am only just beginning to take action with doctors (thought it would go away). The worst thing for me is feeling tired/lethargic all the bloody time, when trying to focus on a task not being able to concentrate, head feeling tense, spaced out etc (so I guess dp/dr are my real issues?). I feel like I am ready for a long sleep whenever, I find it quite a battle not to put my head down and fall asleep.. And yes, I make sure not to get too much or too little sleep at night (7-8 hours), I eat well, exercise etc. Any advice on not feeling spaced out all the time ? Meditation can make me feel more spaced out... I'm a musician and need to put in many hours practicing a day, and achieving 1-2 in a daze simply doesn't cut the mustard.

Cheers,
S

PS: Being referred to neuro + drugs specialist, but for the meantime? Every minute counts.

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Some have difficulty sleeping ... so you are blessed on that one!!!

 

Whether HPPD is a "brain injury" or not (a topic often met with fear), sleeping a little extra is important for brain injuries.  Not so much a long night, but taking brief naps during the day.  Don't fight it.  Give yourself 8-9 hours at night and a couple 15 min naps during the day.  Have you tried naps?  I've made mistakes with this one and will relate in detail if you wish.  The goal isn't getting well instantly - cause that isn't going to happen with a couple naps - it is simply to rest the brain so it can 'heal'.

 

HPPD brains are hyperactive (or quaintly stated "Cerebral Disinhibition").  You mention you don't have much anxiety ... is that correct?

 

 

Attention/focus issues are common with HPPD.  For some its kind of like ADD/ADHD.  Dopamine increasing meds may help ... you don't know until you try.

 

It seems that the visuals you've reported elsewhere might respond best with Klonopin, which typically can make you spacier.  Ironicly, a little Klono or Gabapentin actually help me in this regard.  But at this point, how long have you been free of recreation drugs?  The whole 2 years?  If not, that is an obvious one.  Also limiting alcohol, which you've already done.

 

 

Is there anything that changes your fatigue?  Exercise?  Coffee (couldn't resist throwing that one in)?

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Modafinil helps me with lethargy, but I rarely use it as it makes me anxious sometimes. Also seems to make math easier.
It helps me with motivation. Remember, always do your own pharmacological research and make choices based on your own findings :)
However, discuss it with your doctor first. IME they rarely like it when you start using novel medications unknown to them.

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Some have difficulty sleeping ... so you are blessed on that one!!!

 

Whether HPPD is a "brain injury" or not (a topic often met with fear), sleeping a little extra is important for brain injuries.  Not so much a long night, but taking brief naps during the day.  Don't fight it.  Give yourself 8-9 hours at night and a couple 15 min naps during the day.  Have you tried naps?  I've made mistakes with this one and will relate in detail if you wish.  The goal isn't getting well instantly - cause that isn't going to happen with a couple naps - it is simply to rest the brain so it can 'heal'.

 

HPPD brains are hyperactive (or quaintly stated "Cerebral Disinhibition").  You mention you don't have much anxiety ... is that correct?

 

 

Attention/focus issues are common with HPPD.  For some its kind of like ADD/ADHD.  Dopamine increasing meds may help ... you don't know until you try.

 

It seems that the visuals you've reported elsewhere might respond best with Klonopin, which typically can make you spacier.  Ironicly, a little Klono or Gabapentin actually help me in this regard.  But at this point, how long have you been free of recreation drugs?  The whole 2 years?  If not, that is an obvious one.  Also limiting alcohol, which you've already done.

 

 

Is there anything that changes your fatigue?  Exercise?  Coffee (couldn't resist throwing that one in)?

 

Many thanks for your detailed response! Well I do have difficulty sleeping sometimes, as with many, visuals are pretty intense at night..

I would like some more detail on naps. I've tried napping, but this is the thing, I find it really difficult to cap it at 15-30 mins. I go into a really hazy trance and it can take me 1-2 hours to revive myself. And when I get up I can be in a more exaggerated haze/spaced out/groggy zone than the usual. So it's a tough one.. I guess I have to get really good at getting up as soon as my alarm goes off.. but please provide some more insight if poss.

I would say I have mild anxiety. I often feel a bit uncomfortable when talking to people, even friends, but I am usually fine on my own (I live alone). Occasionally I have anxious thoughts at bedtime which keep me awake, but I don't consider my anxiety to be a big issue.

I've been free of recreational drugs for the two years, except one MDMA slip up a couple of months ago (really bad idea, things had been getting quite good). I use various Benzo's when things get really bad, but not often... certainly more medicinal than recreational.

I usually feel particularly spaced out after exercise and it doesn't generally seem to improve the lethargy. Coffee sometimes lifts it in a sort of way, but in the past has made my visuals particularly intense. I have found that sometimes using a benzo when things get really bad have (despite the relaxing effect), have given me the ability to perform tasks that I couldn't get my mind together to do. Even for 3/4 days afterwards, less lethargic and spaced out. Lorazepam has been the most successful for me in such an instance.. having taken one after things get really bad, intense visuals etc. it has actually reduced visual symptoms to 0% for me at the peak of its effect. But visuals back the next day, a bit less, then gradually they get back up to normal. Obviously I don't really want to get into long term Benzo use though so I only use them on the really rainy days.

Sometimes when I have underslept (2-6 hours) I have been able to function much better the next day. It's like I've tricked my mind out of HPPD termporarily. A user reported similar things in another thread. But, someone responded, possibly you, reiterating the importance of sleep.. so I have kept to sleeping well, but it is certainly interesting...

 

Modafinil helps me with lethargy, but I rarely use it as it makes me anxious sometimes. Also seems to make math easier.

It helps me with motivation. Remember, always do your own pharmacological research and make choices based on your own findings :)

However, discuss it with your doctor first. IME they rarely like it when you start using novel medications unknown to them.

 

Okay, thanks. Never heard of Modafinil, of course will do my own research. Does it make you feel less spaced out like I was talking about? If it makes math easier sounds potentially promising as an aid to help my practice of music.

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Hmm it depends I guess. Just spaced-out in a different way. Haven't used it in a while so I can't really say.
One thing I did notice, is that Selegiline somehow made my guitarplaying better. But that's a long shot.
Besides, Selegiline has Amphetamine metabolites, one of the reasons I quit using it.

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Hmm it depends I guess. Just spaced-out in a different way. Haven't used it in a while so I can't really say.

One thing I did notice, is that Selegiline somehow made my guitarplaying better. But that's a long shot.

Besides, Selegiline has Amphetamine metabolites, one of the reasons I quit using it.

 

Cool! ,,. someone else who has tried Selegiline.  Liked it very much with no problems.  However, it was weak compared to Sinemet or Wellbutrin.  Still have an old bottle but haven't persued because, 1) doctor moved and new ones scared of it (being MAO class, though 'safer' MAO-B), 2) It limits trying any meds that affect norepinepherine or serotonin.

 

Selegiline is curious because it is amphetamine and opposite-amphetamine at the same time.  It is used in some countries to help Parkinson's in early stages and in USA with Sinemet in later stages.

 

What symptoms of your HPPD did it help?

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Modafinil helps me with lethargy, but I rarely use it as it makes me anxious sometimes...

 

Haven't tried Modafinil, but have tried Nuvigil - caused anxiety problems.

 

 

 

Lorazepam has been the most successful for me in such an instance.. having taken one after things get really bad, intense visuals etc. it has actually reduced visual symptoms to 0% for me at the peak of its effect. But visuals back the next day, a bit less, then gradually they get back up to normal

 

Have you tried Klonopin?  It seems clear that benzos help your HPPD a lot, which is the most common.

 

The fact that benzos have given me the ability to perform tasks that I couldn't get my mind together to do. Even for 3/4 days afterwards, less lethargic and spaced out, seems to support the concept that the brain is in hyperdrive but in 'neutral', wasting energy - "cerebral disinhibition".  So finding ways to quiet hyperactivity is key to resolving HPPD ... that and time and environment to heal.

 

 

Well I do have difficulty sleeping sometimes, as with many, visuals are pretty intense at night

 

Kind of like your CEVs are a night light that keeps you awake.  Is that the main thing?  or do you have too much thinking?  Anxiety?

 

I would like some more detail on naps. I've tried napping, but this is the thing, I find it really difficult to cap it at 15-30 mins. I go into a really hazy trance and it can take me 1-2 hours to revive myself. And when I get up I can be in a more exaggerated haze/spaced out/groggy zone than the usual. So it's a tough one.. I guess I have to get really good at getting up as soon as my alarm goes off.. but please provide some more insight if poss.
 

A couple things about naps. First my experience ... and a big mistake.  Always slept good 8-9 hours.  After injury, sleep a lot more and took naps.  Then a doctor suggested not napping.  So I did and then lost the ability to sleep at all which took a year (of hell) to get better, but not very good.  Later, 4 different docs familiar with brain injuries said it is vital to rest when the brain feels tired --- whoops, learned that the hard way.

 

The way napping helped me was that once I slipped into a dream then when waking up it literally 'reset' fatigue and cognition (but not visuals).  While not as good as when getting up in the morning, could start functioning again.  It took about 20 minutes.  It is best (for anyone) not to nap a long time (like an hour or more) because it will make you groggy for some time afterward.  You seem to be locked into 'grog'.

 

Another related problem has been that with cognitive problems the brain would freeze up, no longer could do the task, get confused, tired, and a headache if I pushed it.  Naps would reset this.  But also found I could do other tasks that didn't require the function that was jammed.  This increased daily productivity but also contributed to not being able to sleep.  It was better for the brain/body to nap when 'jammed'.  This is hard to balance because I hate to so unproductive.

 

Wonder if your Sometimes when I have underslept (2-6 hours) I have been able to function much better the next day. It's like I've tricked my mind out of HPPD termporarily just tires out the brain so it is too worn out to be hyperactive???

 

 

The second thing is to learn a little about the locus coeruleus.  These are a couple little blue dots that are 'switching stations' for brain 'modes'.  These don't choose 'modes' ... that is done in the executive center.  But like a huge bank of relays, 'modes' are facilitated. 

 

These spots are blue because they use 90% of the brains norepinepherine (NE).  The 3 major modes of attention are: off (sleep), attention (concentration/focus), and vigilance (alertness).  That is why they have DA + NE drugs (like Nuvigil) to treat narcolepsy.

 

Other 'modes' include our moods (happiness, sadness, rage, ect...).  This is behind the idea of treating emotion/mood disorders with SNRI meds which are both seratonin and NE, such as Effexor.

 

The relivance to HPPD is that the hyperactivity often pushes people into vigilance-mode, thus anxiety, attention and sleep problems.  Vigilance IS hypersenstivity which is hyperactive, pushing the amydgala and instictual responces from the ambient visual system.  This seems to explain the experience of jamming then resetting-with-sleep as the brain not being able to regulate self (even though there is evidence it tries) - again disinhibition.  It shows how the brain can make 'snow' and CEVs - trying to make something out of nothing.  "Idleness is the devil's tool" ... how about racing the engine in idle?

 

As a side point, members should read Oliver Sacks latest book, Hallucinations.  While not talking about HPPD, it will give a good understanding how our visual systems do such complex things.

 

 

Overall, looking at your posts, it would seem your fatigue/spaciness is just more of the typical stuff with HPPD of things not regulating properly ("cerebral disinhibition").  It is hard to say what to do, but there are these points, 1) Try to train the brain in healthy habits and 'processing'.  2) You get help with benzos so perhaps occational use can help your 'training'.  3) See if you can get a dopamine increasing med such as Sinemet to try - these sometimes provide fuel for 'regulation'.  4) Some report help with Keppra. 

 

So, while a bit condenced - - - gave you lots of homework, lol

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ool! ,,. someone else who has tried Selegiline.  Liked it very much with no problems.  However, it was weak compared to Sinemet or Wellbutrin.  Still have an old bottle but haven't persued because, 1) doctor moved and new ones scared of it (being MAO class, though 'safer' MAO- B), 2) It limits trying any meds that affect norepinepherine or serotonin.

 

Selegiline is curious because it is amphetamine and opposite-amphetamine at the same time.  It is used in some countries to help Parkinson's in early stages and in USA with Sinemet in later stages.

 

What symptoms of your HPPD did it help?

Hehe my doctor wasn't particularly fond of that decision either. Also, do some intensive research on dosing. Sublingual doses equate to way higher bloodplasma levels than oral, and that might cause a cheese-reaction with wrong calculation. Personally, the whole remembering what you can't eat thing, just doesn't work when your cognition is muck. That's also part of the reason why I discontinued. Allthough there is a balance between MAO-B and MAO-A inhibition, dosage wise, I just hate to screw around with it.

I can't recall that well what it did for me. I didn't take it for more than a few days. I was in a particularly anxious phase at the time, and I just couldn't stand the constent "Maybe the amphetamine metabolites will throw me into a psychosis (I've had an amphetamine psychosis once before, worst experience of my life), or perhaps I'll eat some cheese and die" thoughts. However, after the first few days that somewhat subsided, and I remember sitting on the couch and being quite content with things. And somehow, I was able to focus more on playing guitar. Less derealization I suppose. I was more absorbed in what I was doing, came up with some random new tune, it flowed better, etc. It did nothing for the visual aspects though.

If you are interested in Selegiline, there is a newer (better) version. Rasagiline does not metabolize into either enantiomers of Amphetamine, and poses more neuroprotective potential.

Sadly it is also more expensive, about 150% of Selegiline's (Jumex) price. Partly the reason why I never gave it a shot.

 

Modafinil helps me with lethargy, but I rarely use it as it makes me anxious sometimes...

 

Haven't tried Modafinil, but have tried Nuvigil - caused anxiety problems.

Nuvigil has been reported to exhibit more anxiogenesis than Modafinil. Maybe one of these days I'll try Modafinil+Phenibut combo, see what that does. Armodafinil has been reported to be slightly "cleaner". Either way, if your anxiety-prone, you're gonna notice. I do remember just going through Khan Academy Math in light speed, and I felt great about it.

Also, when I'm feeling particularly spaced out, or my mind is stuck in gears, low-dose Phenibut does allow me to do a task that might otherwise be a mission.

Anyways, trying to stay on-topic here: in your off-time, do some research on nootropics, see what appeals to you. Depending on the severity of you issues, some might help with the lethargic headspace. *cranks the skull* Sulbutiamine is one I haven't tried myself, but I believe it is good as a shortterm treatment for lethargy.

Good luck :)

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Yea, the pharmacology of Selegiline can seem freaky.  But somehow it doesn't harm like amphetamines.

 

As far as the MAO thing goes, Selegiline is prescribed at 10mg per day.  It is strictly MAO-B, but the spillover to MAO-A is around 35-40mg ... so they have a large safety margin.  The problem is that while it has a short half life, it irreversably binds to things so the brain has to make new ones, which takes about a week to fully restore.  During that time, if you take anything with SA or NE, these levels will skyrocket.  Once I took 5mg three days after a pediatric dose of amitryptaline (10mg).  Heart raced for a full day ... not fun. 

 

Of course the MAO-A people can get that with hard cheese or wine.  On a DP forum, some have reported success with MAO inhibitors, but good luck getting a doc to prescribe that !

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Modafinil helps me with lethargy, but I rarely use it as it makes me anxious sometimes. Also seems to make math easier.

It helps me with motivation. Remember, always do your own pharmacological research and make choices based on your own findings :)

However, discuss it with your doctor first. IME they rarely like it when you start using novel medications unknown to them.

 

 

Get down the gym.... Sounds odd, but the more you work out, the more energy you seem to have.

 

 

Hmm it depends I guess. Just spaced-out in a different way. Haven't used it in a while so I can't really say.

One thing I did notice, is that Selegiline somehow made my guitarplaying better. But that's a long shot.

Besides, Selegiline has Amphetamine metabolites, one of the reasons I quit using it.

 

 

Modafinil helps me with lethargy, but I rarely use it as it makes me anxious sometimes...

 

Haven't tried Modafinil, but have tried Nuvigil - caused anxiety problems.

 

 

 

Lorazepam has been the most successful for me in such an instance.. having taken one after things get really bad, intense visuals etc. it has actually reduced visual symptoms to 0% for me at the peak of its effect. But visuals back the next day, a bit less, then gradually they get back up to normal

 

Have you tried Klonopin?  It seems clear that benzos help your HPPD a lot, which is the most common.

 

The fact that benzos have given me the ability to perform tasks that I couldn't get my mind together to do. Even for 3/4 days afterwards, less lethargic and spaced out, seems to support the concept that the brain is in hyperdrive but in 'neutral', wasting energy - "cerebral disinhibition".  So finding ways to quiet hyperactivity is key to resolving HPPD ... that and time and environment to heal.

 

 

Well I do have difficulty sleeping sometimes, as with many, visuals are pretty intense at night

 

Kind of like your CEVs are a night light that keeps you awake.  Is that the main thing?  or do you have too much thinking?  Anxiety?

 

I would like some more detail on naps. I've tried napping, but this is the thing, I find it really difficult to cap it at 15-30 mins. I go into a really hazy trance and it can take me 1-2 hours to revive myself. And when I get up I can be in a more exaggerated haze/spaced out/groggy zone than the usual. So it's a tough one.. I guess I have to get really good at getting up as soon as my alarm goes off.. but please provide some more insight if poss.

 

A couple things about naps. First my experience ... and a big mistake.  Always slept good 8-9 hours.  After injury, sleep a lot more and took naps.  Then a doctor suggested not napping.  So I did and then lost the ability to sleep at all which took a year (of hell) to get better, but not very good.  Later, 4 different docs familiar with brain injuries said it is vital to rest when the brain feels tired --- whoops, learned that the hard way.

 

The way napping helped me was that once I slipped into a dream then when waking up it literally 'reset' fatigue and cognition (but not visuals).  While not as good as when getting up in the morning, could start functioning again.  It took about 20 minutes.  It is best (for anyone) not to nap a long time (like an hour or more) because it will make you groggy for some time afterward.  You seem to be locked into 'grog'.

 

Another related problem has been that with cognitive problems the brain would freeze up, no longer could do the task, get confused, tired, and a headache if I pushed it.  Naps would reset this.  But also found I could do other tasks that didn't require the function that was jammed.  This increased daily productivity but also contributed to not being able to sleep.  It was better for the brain/body to nap when 'jammed'.  This is hard to balance because I hate to so unproductive.

 

Wonder if your Sometimes when I have underslept (2-6 hours) I have been able to function much better the next day. It's like I've tricked my mind out of HPPD termporarily just tires out the brain so it is too worn out to be hyperactive???

 

 

The second thing is to learn a little about the locus coeruleus.  These are a couple little blue dots that are 'switching stations' for brain 'modes'.  These don't choose 'modes' ... that is done in the executive center.  But like a huge bank of relays, 'modes' are facilitated. 

 

These spots are blue because they use 90% of the brains norepinepherine (NE).  The 3 major modes of attention are: off (sleep), attention (concentration/focus), and vigilance (alertness).  That is why they have DA + NE drugs (like Nuvigil) to treat narcolepsy.

 

Other 'modes' include our moods (happiness, sadness, rage, ect...).  This is behind the idea of treating emotion/mood disorders with SNRI meds which are both seratonin and NE, such as Effexor.

 

The relivance to HPPD is that the hyperactivity often pushes people into vigilance-mode, thus anxiety, attention and sleep problems.  Vigilance IS hypersenstivity which is hyperactive, pushing the amydgala and instictual responces from the ambient visual system.  This seems to explain the experience of jamming then resetting-with-sleep as the brain not being able to regulate self (even though there is evidence it tries) - again disinhibition.  It shows how the brain can make 'snow' and CEVs - trying to make something out of nothing.  "Idleness is the devil's tool" ... how about racing the engine in idle?

 

As a side point, members should read Oliver Sacks latest book, Hallucinations.  While not talking about HPPD, it will give a good understanding how our visual systems do such complex things.

 

 

Overall, looking at your posts, it would seem your fatigue/spaciness is just more of the typical stuff with HPPD of things not regulating properly ("cerebral disinhibition").  It is hard to say what to do, but there are these points, 1) Try to train the brain in healthy habits and 'processing'.  2) You get help with benzos so perhaps occational use can help your 'training'.  3) See if you can get a dopamine increasing med such as Sinemet to try - these sometimes provide fuel for 'regulation'.  4) Some report help with Keppra. 

 

So, while a bit condenced - - - gave you lots of homework, lol

 

 

Hehe my doctor wasn't particularly fond of that decision either. Also, do some intensive research on dosing. Sublingual doses equate to way higher bloodplasma levels than oral, and that might cause a cheese-reaction with wrong calculation. Personally, the whole remembering what you can't eat thing, just doesn't work when your cognition is muck. That's also part of the reason why I discontinued. Allthough there is a balance between MAO-B and MAO-A inhibition, dosage wise, I just hate to screw around with it.

I can't recall that well what it did for me. I didn't take it for more than a few days. I was in a particularly anxious phase at the time, and I just couldn't stand the constent "Maybe the amphetamine metabolites will throw me into a psychosis (I've had an amphetamine psychosis once before, worst experience of my life), or perhaps I'll eat some cheese and die" thoughts. However, after the first few days that somewhat subsided, and I remember sitting on the couch and being quite content with things. And somehow, I was able to focus more on playing guitar. Less derealization I suppose. I was more absorbed in what I was doing, came up with some random new tune, it flowed better, etc. It did nothing for the visual aspects though.

If you are interested in Selegiline, there is a newer (better) version. Rasagiline does not metabolize into either enantiomers of Amphetamine, and poses more neuroprotective potential.

Sadly it is also more expensive, about 150% of Selegiline's (Jumex) price. Partly the reason why I never gave it a shot.

 

Nuvigil has been reported to exhibit more anxiogenesis than Modafinil. Maybe one of these days I'll try Modafinil+Phenibut combo, see what that does. Armodafinil has been reported to be slightly "cleaner". Either way, if your anxiety-prone, you're gonna notice. I do remember just going through Khan Academy Math in light speed, and I felt great about it.

Also, when I'm feeling particularly spaced out, or my mind is stuck in gears, low-dose Phenibut does allow me to do a task that might otherwise be a mission.

Anyways, trying to stay on-topic here: in your off-time, do some research on nootropics, see what appeals to you. Depending on the severity of you issues, some might help with the lethargic headspace. *cranks the skull* Sulbutiamine is one I haven't tried myself, but I believe it is good as a shortterm treatment for lethargy.

Good luck :)

 

 

Hi guys, sorry for the delayed response... had a couple of serious hypersomniac / spaced out couple of days. Sleeping like 15 hours a day... urrggh!

I have ordered in some Modafinil, that should be here in a couple of weeks.. look forward to seeing how that goes.

I picked up something by Vitabiotics called 'Neurozan' advertised to promote cognitive function. It contains 5-HTP, Phosphatidylserine, L-Arginine, Ginkgo Biloba, Co-Q10.. I wonder if that will help at all. I also picked up some pure 5-HTP. I wonder if that will help. I used to always take it after MDMA and never (maybe once or twice) had comedowns.

I forgot to mention I've been on Citalopram for 3 weeks. GP handed it out without really thinking about it (she thought I was making shit up, classic). It doesn't seem to do much other than perhaps make me feel a bit less anxious (which it's meant to do). I am not sure the worth of taking it.

Visual - I haven't tried Klonopin, no. Still waiting for referrals to psychiatrist / neuro. 

Kind of like your CEVs are a night light that keeps you awake.  Is that the main thing?  or do you have too much thinking?  Anxiety? - Perhaps yes. It's hard to tell exactly what causes my (occasional) ability not to sleep (quite probably the sleeping in the day). Sometimes the CEVs remind me, when I turn the light off 'you have this condition, I wonder if you'll be able to sleep'... which can then lead to anxious thoughts going round and round, and the CEV's affecting the anxiety, back and forth, sort of.. Maybe, I'm not too sure...

Yes I am locked in a 'grog'. Napping doesn't seem to reset fatigue but perhaps that's because I find it difficult to revive myself after just say 10-30 mins. I'll have to get better and teach myself.

Thanks for all the detailed explanations. I will be plunging into researching and understanding the more technical explanations. Could you perhaps recommend a book that would be helpful in understanding brain chemistry and how the kinds of drugs/medications we are talking about affect our brain ? I will check out that book on Hallucinations.

 

onedayilsailagain - Thank you for pointing me to nootropics, I will definitely be trying some out :-)

 

Thanks all.

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I haven't read this thread fully but please be careful about supplements and medications that you take, researching things fully rather than going for something on a 'whim'. Us HPPDers can be extra-sensitive to things we put in our body. Additionally, you can very easily and quickly end up spending a lot of money without any end benefit. Try not to try too much at once as well. www.longecity.org/forum/ is a good site for beginner research purposes - but do remember that there are a lot of unqualified people on that website and as such there is a lot of speculation involved. But it is a good resource to start with.

 

Something that should be completely safe and cheap to try, however, is a vitamin-B complex. Also outside of supplements and meds other things to try are keeping a good routine and setting yourself realistic daily to-do lists. My initial HPPD-induced fatigue is mostly gone but I do have other problems that prevent me from getting stuff done. When I have things I need to do I find organisation and structure helps me out a lot (both pre and post HPPD).

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I haven't read this thread fully but please be careful about supplements and medications that you take, researching things fully rather than going for something on a 'whim'. Us HPPDers can be extra-sensitive to things we put in our body. Additionally, you can very easily and quickly end up spending a lot of money without any end benefit. Try not to try too much at once as well. www.longecity.org/forum/ is a good site for beginner research purposes - but do remember that there are a lot of unqualified people on that website and as such there is a lot of speculation involved. But it is a good resource to start with.

 

Something that should be completely safe and cheap to try, however, is a vitamin-B complex. Also outside of supplements and meds other things to try are keeping a good routine and setting yourself realistic daily to-do lists. My initial HPPD-induced fatigue is mostly gone but I do have other problems that prevent me from getting stuff done. When I have things I need to do I find organisation and structure helps me out a lot (both pre and post HPPD).

Sound advice... thank you.

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Reporting back.. I have gotten better at capping naps short, 20-30 mins. Indeed it seems to be bringing me out of the grog. Not as spaced out, but still spaced out, tension in the head, hard to concentrate. But much better than the hypersomniac days ! Onwards and upwards.

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  • 2 weeks later...

My biggest issue was the fatigue and dp/dr too man...the fatigue really makes it impossible to function. I think it's just because my brain wasnt getting deep sleep, or somethin. Keprra has helped me have more energy man, id recommend 6-7.5 hours of sleep and getting out of bed AS SOON AS YOU WAKE UP. Passing out again somehow depletes my energy. Thats essential for me.

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My biggest issue was the fatigue and dp/dr too man...the fatigue really makes it impossible to function. I think it's just because my brain wasnt getting deep sleep, or somethin. Keprra has helped me have more energy man, id recommend 6-7.5 hours of sleep and getting out of bed AS SOON AS YOU WAKE UP. Passing out again somehow depletes my energy. Thats essential for me.

 

Yeah, it's a real arse. Maybe, it seems to me like I go into a seriously deep sleep but I could be wrong. Still definitely a lot of REM sleep going on. Definitely right about getting up as soon as you wake up... does make a serious difference.. but sometimes the brain fog/heavy head/head tension is too unbearable that I can't do anything but put my head on a pillow!

 

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I second that

Yes, I know exercising gives you more energy. But does it really make a huge difference to the lethargy/spaced out/concentration issues associated with HPPD? Not really... whilst of course it will help our symptoms, as will eating healthily.. it doesn't really come any where close to resolving this complex disorder. 

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