Slow/ Exhausted/ Hot/ Can't Function ?

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Hi everybody

I have always had major problems with trying to function "normally" and keep on track and I'd be interested to work out what's going on with me and have you experienced anything similar ?

I am not particularly good at understanding myself or picking up on warning signs when my brain is frazzled or I am feeling too hot for example. It's a sort of vicious circle. I work flat out trying to keep on top of my work duties - although I always do things the long way, being thorough and taking ages over writing an email. As a result I feel burnt out and end up feeling like a zombie drowned in inertia, zoned out and unable to say very much.

When I'm exhausted I feel either just flat or grumpy, my body feels all clumsy and my voice goes really monotone and quiet. Also I am physically slowed down and I can't muster the brainpower to do simple tasks. Even the thought of speaking to someone seems like a superhuman effort.

All of these symptoms and feelings are made a lot worse if I am too hot. I don't like the heat or bright light at all (no vampire jokes!), I start feeling really agitated and a bit panicky and the first thing I do is I have to take my shoes off and when I get home the socks as well. The heat can feel like a personal attack.

In this state I feel overwhelmed by any mess like my messy desk at work but I lose the brainpower to do simple things like tidy up or decide what to do next. Oh, if I have several things in my pockets like bits of paper, even that can irritate the hell out of me.

Anyone experiencing anything like this ?

Hi - I hope you are feeling okay today.

Just read your post and thought about a couple of things. Obviously, it may go without saying, but please make an appointment to see a primary care physician/doctor. I read often...and although I am still learning about autism...this sounds like it may be something in addition to that (although it could always be a related disorder). From what I understand now...people who have autism are also at a higher risk for autoimmune issues. Also, from the symptoms you do describe...this could possibly be something related to your immune system malfunctioning during times of higher stress, elements (light and heat), etc.

I'm not trying to scare you too much...just enough to get you to talk with a doctor that will listen about your symptoms. For instance one thing I noticed when Googling your symptoms was MS (Multiple Sclerosis). Now, it may very well not be this...however, it sounds like the way you are feeling definitely needs to be checked into. It may end up being something else minor and/or short-lived. Either way, please keep us updated.

Yep, that all feels quite familiar to me.

At work I called it a "brain freeze". I would be working at my desk, or listening to someone talk, and then become aware that the gears in my head had ground to a halt. And once that happens, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours for it to correct itself. Even then, nothing is to say that it wouldn't happen again after just a few minutes.

Feeling overheated worsens it. Anything over the mid-seventies(F) and I slow down. I keep a few digital thermometers about just so I can double-check whether it is just me or the actual room temperature. I am about 20 pounds overweight, which does not help at all.

Over the years one of the things that greatly helped was arranging to work from home. I can better control the temperature, adjust my clothing more easily, and most, most importantly avoid the large additional drain of interpersonal interactions. Commuting to/from a workplace also requires a big drain on my reserves.

Lostiehere, Marky and Cavernio, thanks for all your comments, it makes me feel better.
I have looked up all sorts of things to do with autoimmune diseases and have decided to go to the doctor. I though of MS at first but it's unlikely as I don't have limb freeze of anything like that. Brain freeze is more my problem.

Also I don't help myself by getting too little sleep. Everything seems so much less stressful after a good sleep

all the best

Neil

Lostiehere, Marky and Cavernio, thanks for all your comments, it makes me feel better.
I have looked up all sorts of things to do with autoimmune diseases and have decided to go to the doctor. I though of MS at first but it's unlikely as I don't have limb freeze of anything like that. Brain freeze is more my problem.

Also I don't help myself by getting too little sleep. Everything seems so much less stressful after a good sleep

all the best

Neil