Mind weirdly still ...I don't like it

[STEM_Dad]

I'm getting over to the flu. The last two days were the worst if.

Today, I'm feeling well enough to go to work (taking generic DayQuil to control my symptoms).

Driving in to work this morning, I could tell that my brain was feeling different somehow, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

I've been sitting at my desk a while, and I realize that what's do different is that my brain is so quiet this morning. (I normally have thoughts going all about, very active.) It's also only going about 90% of normal speed.

Now, my brain is so still and quiet, but it doesn't seem serene... it's like a forced quiet. It seems like I can only move one like l line of thought through my head at a time.

IT'S SO BORING!!!

Do you think that this is what being "neurotypical" feels like? I sure hope not.

I hope it passes quickly, and that tomorrow I can feel like MY normal again.

~~~~~

Flu season is upon us. Stay healthy, everyone.

[Tythrop]

Are you saying that you think it's the Day Quil that's making you feel different ? Do you take adhd meds too ?

[STEM_Dad in reply to Tythrop]

I'm saying that I think it's the flu that messed with my normal brain functioning.

My mind was working well below capacity the last couple of days, when the flu was at it's worst. Now that I'm starting to recover bodily, my brain is only about 95% normal. But the usual buzz of brain activity just isn't the same.

[Tythrop in reply to STEM_Dad]

Ah I get it. trangely, after reading your nnote, I Googled the meds you stated and added adhd in. It see.s that some cough suppressant meds and antihistamines are ised to treat adhd .

[STEM_Dad in reply to Tythrop]

I know that Sudafed used to contain pseudoephedrine, but the formula was changed because it kept getting stolen from pharmacies (reportedly for the manufacture of illicit drugs).

But I remember that it always made me feel funny, gave me that weird "medicine head" reaction my making my sinuses feel tingly. (I haven't found as good of a decongestant since, but don't miss that side effect. I remember thinking, "If this is what being 'high' feels like, then COUNT ME OUT!")

[STEM_Dad in reply to Tythrop]

I'm feeling much better, much more myself at the end of the day.

The flu symptoms are a little lighter, but mostly I'm glad that my brain activity feels normal again.

[Schilddruse]

It's probably Covid-19 not "flu" - there's a lot of Covid-19 about, but very little influenza at the moment.

Unfortunately, LFTs are unreliable especially with these newer variants, so in the absence of a negative PCR test, you can't exclude Covid-19.

There's a great deal of research now about the capacity of the Covid-19 virus to cause neurological damage; hopefully yours will be shortlasting, but an infection has been estimated to typically add about 10 years' aging in terms of cognitive decline.

I hope your symptoms resolve soon and you get your "normal active" brain back - sounds much more fun than what you're experiencing at the moment. You have my sympathy. 💜

..

[STEM_Dad in reply to Schilddruse]

My brain is back to normal.

I should have taken a COVID-19 test, just to know. I know for sure that I had it twice. The first time, it landed me in the hospital with pneumonia. The second time (7 months after the first and after I'd gotten the COVID-19 vaccine), it was like a mild cold.

Thankfully, my yesterday afternoon, my brain was much more normal, and still is this morning.

I still have the cough, but most of my other symptoms are gone or almost gone.

[Schilddruse]

That's really good to hear!

The vaccine is indeed very effective at reducing the severity of initial illness, but long-term underlying issues (neurological, cardiology etc) seem to be a more difficult nut to crack. Hopefully at some point in the future , we'll get a sterilising vaccine. In the meantime, NPIs such as cleaning indoor air through ventilation and filtration and using high-quality masks are our best way forward.

[Mamamichl]

I think this is what neurotypical is, but think about always having this kind of thoughts, even since birth and only knowing this without our usual thoughts. Although boring to us. It’s easier for them to stay calm.

[STEM_Dad in reply to Mamamichl]

Perhaps it's easier for them to stay calm, but the quietness was disquieting to me. 😋I'm so glad it's over!

[AuntieSquirrel23 in reply to STEM_Dad]

I do not know how to maneuver or navigate when it gets eerily quiet!

[Mamamichl in reply to AuntieSquirrel23]

I usually play music to make sure there’s noise.

[Burhanerdem]

Did something happen last 2- 3 days before you started to feel your brain messed up?

[STEM_Dad]

I was getting over the flu at the time.

While I had the flu, my inattentiveness was worse than usual. It was just that one day as I was almost over the illness that my brain was just so weirdly still.

I think I might have still experiencing the withdrawal from being on an SSRI for months. I weaned down over a 2 month period starting late August and ending about mid October.

* I experienced other mild, but weird effects while in withdrawal from the SSRI (mostly that I'd get a strange tingling sensation in my arms, shoulders, and lower throat after I ate breakfast and lunch ...every day for about 4 weeks, then it stopped).