have those episodes since 2008, hypoglycemia or reactive hypoglycemia
Try eliminating gluten
Hey guys, thanks for the responses.
I’m currently still waiting on my blood tests. In the meantime I’m following a ‘candida diet’… I figured I haven’t got much to lose as it’s a low carb diet, gluten free, and I’ve still got quality sources of protein. I’ll gradually introduce anti-fungals and probiotics if the blood tests don’t reveal anything.
I’ve ordered some acetyl-carnitine, and glutamine. I have some alpha-GPC and L-Tyrosine left. So I’ll try and use these to clear my head before my next competition. Which happens to be the British university’s champs in the olympic stadium!
Obviously it’s all rather frustrating, as the candida overgrowth theory isn’t fully understood by doctors, and it’s a shot in the dark. But I took two courses of Flucloxacillin, which didnt clear up an infected cut (it eventually cleared itself)… This antibiotic is known for causing thrush in various places, which is candida fungus.
I second this post. Insulin has a mind numbing effect. Energy may seem normal, but mentally and emotionally you can still feel numb. Do you carb load before workouts or eat a lot of high glycemic carbs in general? For kicks, try a low glycemic diet for at least 10 days. Don’t worry if your initial energy levels drop off. Stick with it for 10 days and see what impact the low glycemic diet has on mental faculties. If it improves, then you will need to learn to monitor carb intake more closely.
I’ve tried to eat only low GI carbs for years, most of the time.
I’m swaying towards the conclusion that this is a virus, my blood tests came back good, but my glands are up in my neck and im getting a couple of tell-tale aches I associate with colds and flu. But I’ve had the fog for over two weeks now, I’ve not had a virus with this shelf-life since I had mumps as a teenager.
The ‘fog’ I describe is odd also, my cognition doesn’t seem to be that badly affected. But it’s a spaced feeling, much like when you first get out of bed and your vision isn’t focused in. Very odd. Hopefully it’ll run it’s course. But in the meantime I’m eating as healthily as possible and keeping my legs ticking over with the odd grass acceleration and some light full squats.
I would in the meantime keep everything aerobic, avoid the extra stresses La+ produces.
Problem is, I only really feel ‘alive’ atm when I’m trying some training. Obv at a reduced volume. I’m going back to the docs tomorrow.
Anyone got a recommendation on ALCAR dosage?
Ok so I went back to the docs today. Had a look down my throat and said it’s inflamed and will be the cause of the fuzzy feeling i’m experiencing. It’s a lingerer and will clear up gradually. Which can’t come soon enough, as I’m lining up for the 100m in the Olympic stadium on Friday!
If you are still feeling this way, you might want to try contrast showers or some other means of alternating hot and cold. It’s probably only going to be a short term fix in your case, since you have a viral issue, but you might find that it helps give you a short term boost immediately in concentration/intensity immediately following the therapy. Make sure the cold is very cold and being applied especially to temperature sensitive areas such as the plexus and neck. You want your heart rate to spike up and then come right back down once heat is applied. And, particularly if you are using a whole body method of temperature contrast, make sure to check muscle tonus before any high intensity work. Just a suggestion.
Update time.
I’ve still not shook off this illness, although the fog has eased momentarily on a couple of occasions. I’m going in for more blood tests tomorrow as the doc wants to test for mononucleosis (glandular fever).
I managed to compete in the Olympic stadium last week, hit a brick wall at 30 and held on for an 11.15 clocking… which isnt too bad considering how I feel. Reaction time was 0.17, it’s usually 0.12-13
I’m not feeling too much fatigue, and strength training is going quite well. I have initial trials for the GB bobsleigh team on the 26th, and have been aiming to put size on for subsequent push trials, and have put on 3kg in as many weeks.
The doc told me the worst thing I can do is to stop training… I’m not sure how training effects a lingering virus, I know intense training is impossible with fully-fledged mono. But training doesn’t seem to have made my illness any worse.
I’ve taken all you’re suggestions into account and more are welcome.
Cheetah.
ALCAR - I take 1.5G Twice a day with caffeine 
You need to test for Vitamin D, B12, Folic Acid, TSH, FT3, FT4, Potassium, Sodium, Iron and all of the usual athlete screens…
Go get em this season Ben ! Good luck !
I experienced “brain fog” for years and along with a few other things the doctors thought I might have MS. In the process of all this I discovered I was magnesium deficient. Basically when I take magnesium it’s like I’m living in a whole new world. Hard to describe it. I can read for hours at a time, my sleeps are better, and my training is better. Here’s a quick link that may help. http://www.charlespoliquin.com/ArticlesMultimedia/Articles/Article/255/How_I_Replenish_Magnesium_Levels.aspx
Esp during summer, i need upwards of 3 x more Magnesium just to keep going. Otherwise i run out of steam and feel Bla… for days.
What kind of dosages are you guys taking for magnesium? Thanks.
That question is answered in the link I gave above.
I take Zma every night. And my drinks contain 300mg of mag per drink.
Thanks for the replies guys. I take 400mg of magnesium every night along with 5-10 sprays of magnesium oil. My glands are still up so my body is obviously fighting something. Glandular fever screen came back negative.
Although the fog remains, I performed well at the British Bobsleigh combine. 45m - 4.94s, 0-15m- 1.99, 0.30m- 3.51, 15-45- 2.95. Standing long jump 3.33m. These are all PR marks so hopefully whatever I’m experiencing isn’t affecting my performance as it once was.
I’ll keep you all updated and also start a log noting my Bobsleigh progress. You might be interested to know the Fasuba is now part of the British navy and is also trying out this year.
Cheetah
Here are the 3 characteristic manifestations of hypermagnesemia (excess Mg2+ in the blood):
decreased reflexes
mental obtundation (brain fog)
muscle weakness
Have you told your docs about the Mg supplements? Lots of times these things are overlooked.
I understand you aren’t experiencing the weakness but your toxicity may be sub-acute and only 2/3 symptoms showing. The treatment for Mg2+ toxicity is IV calcium so maybe you could try taking some calcium for a day and see if it helps.
Hmmm, this is interesting because I try and use a lot of mag because it’s helped my neural tension in the past. I do however miss the odd night, but I’ve been pretty consistant for a while and have only been using the mag spray for maybe 3 months. I’ll try calcium and maybe drop the mag dose and see what it does.
My brain fog has had good days and bad days recently. But it doesnt seem to be hindering my power or acceleration anymore. I can only guess at the cause, whether it viral or environmental.
Meanwhile I had GB bobsleigh push training last weekend. I pushed the fastest time of the development squad and have set up a new training journal http://www.charliefrancis.com/community/showthread.php?22278-Road-to-Sochi-2014&p=243147#post243147.
I’ll post any progress on my brain fog here though, thanks for all the advice so far.
Cheetah