Hello,

Is there anyone out there that has an autonomic neuropathy that experiences brain fog on a daily basis? I am continually falling into a state of confusion where I am forgetful and cannot perform tasks at work or helping my daughter with her homework. My vision may be blurred when looking at a pattern when this is occuring.
Has anyone been successfully treated for brain fog?
I also may have orthostatic hypotension, could this be a cause of the brain fog?
What can be done to test for this issue? Wear a heart monitor to see if my blood pressure drops?

Any information is welcome,
Thanks,
N1

Do you check the blood pressure? OI happens with high or low bp though.

It is pooling that is the problem from nerves not sending the right messages.

Hey Sally,

I have my BP checked every time I go to the doc and it is normal. I listed the BP log below.
They have also taken my BP when I am seated an then again when I stand for 3 times to get a sampling when I was tested for Dysautonomia.
But, I think if I would have been lying on my back, have the BP taken then slowly stand up they might catch the orthostatic hypotension?
The brain fog is affecting my work and I do not know what to do at this point.
I was doing really well for about 5 months, and then slowly I began to experience symptoms again. I have several other factors going on as well.
I have not been able to eat as healthy as I was and my stress level is higher than normal.

05/25/12 – 133/73

06/15/12 – 126/78

07/16/12 – 121/83

08/30/12 – 119/83

10/01/12 – 116/65

12/13/12 – 126/84

1/9/13 - 131/88

1/24/13 - 125/88

Can you buy a blood pressure monitor? That is the way to check at home in different positions. The doctor can do it of course and easy at home.

Brain fog can be a sign of many things.

OH is diagnosed when a significant drop occurs after standing. So you have to compare a sitting BP with a standing BP.

Your BP's listed look fine, but are these from the doctors office...when you are sitting? Are you taking your BP at home? If not, consider getting an inexpensive BP monitor from the pharmacy and take your BP at home when you are symptomatic. This means if you have symptoms when you stand, then take it when you stand. It defeats the purpose to have a problem when you stand and then sit down to take your BP. You have to take levels in both positions. See if it has dropped from the level when sitting.

A tilt table is one test done to confirm OH...which measures your BP and heart rate from a laying position to a gradual rise to a standing position. There is also a 24 hour ambulatory BP. A doctor can get an idea if you have OH by simply measuring BP when laying on the examining table, then sitting, then standing. Of course, OH is not something that occurs every time you stand, so it's important to check yourself (sitting & standing) when you are symptomatic...then make a log of ALL the measurements in different positions and the amount of drop. Anything over 20 point systolic drop is a indication of possible OH.

If your brain fog is only occurring during these episodes, then it may be related. But you have to establish if OH is a problem first.

Yes you can figure out if you have OI or OH.

I have not been taking my BP at home. I am obviously going to have to start.
I have had two tilt table tests, one which I passed out and the other did not show anything. After the tilt table test where I passed out, I was discharged and told I have vasopressor syndrome. I would think I have mild OT instead.
The brain fog does not seem to only occur during these episodes.
Something has to be triggering it?

I'm thinking you might have been told it was vasovagal syncope/syndrome. I attached a link. See if this is what they were talking about. It does in fact have triggers from OH, and POTS.

You should get a copy of the tilt table results and see exactly what they found in regards to your BP & heart rate and what caused your syncope/fainting.

You should also get a BP monitor and start taking measurements when you have symptoms and logging them. Most monitors also keep a history of readings. You can take the machine itself and show the doctor the history if there is significantly low BP's upon standing, etc. They also record heart rate.

I would ask for a full autonomic work-up to determine the cause of your passing out. The blurred vision is a common symptom with vasovagal syncope...so your symptoms seem to be related.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasovagal_response

Once they know the reason behind these episodes, there is a few possible treatments.