The Fatigue

Terytha
Terytha Posts: 2,097 Member
edited December 21 in Motivation and Support
It always happens. I make some positive changes in my life, feel better, get healthier, and then...

The Fatigue.

I slept 8 hours last night, and all weekend, but I'm shaking with exhaustion and having micro sleeps. I feel dead on my feet.

I hate being sickly. I hate it so much. I just want to feel OK.

Replies

  • LyndaBSS
    LyndaBSS Posts: 6,964 Member
    I feel your pain. I have multiple medical issues and the symptoms can drive me batty.

    <3
  • Westieok
    Westieok Posts: 13 Member
    I understand completely. You have to remember this requires self love. Caring for yourself by resting is not a bad thing. Some of need to add exercise a little slower. Maybe this will help https://www.healthline.com/health/spoon-theory-chronic-illness-explained-like-never-before#1
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,692 Member
    Have you had a brain injury?

    I ask because I know fatigue is a big part of the life of a person with brain injury.
  • Samantharavenclaw84
    Samantharavenclaw84 Posts: 161 Member
    You probably already have but I'll ask anyway, have you looked into any possible thyroid issues, autoimmune issues? I have Fibro, suspected RA and a messed up thyroid. The exhaustion is insane.
  • Joanna2012B
    Joanna2012B Posts: 1,448 Member
    There are many things that could be the cause. I would say a visit to your doctor might be in order. If you are eating, hydrating and sleeping well there is something else going on. I know when my iron levels drop I feel the same way.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    I feel you
    sometimes, i can get extreme fatigue. but i do have hypersomnia.

    it might not hurt to check in with the dr
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    I don't know your history, but it seems you might have some ongoing health issues? Have your iron and (more importantly) ferritin levels been checked lately, in addition to what others have asked?
  • floofyschmoofer
    floofyschmoofer Posts: 209 Member
    I have a lot of fun diagnoses that make fatigue a constant for me but what's even better is that any deviation from my "norm"/daily routine-- even a POSITIVE one!-- can be absolutely exhausting. First off, consider seeing your PCP if you haven't yet. Could be something as simple as some level being out of whack. Could be something is going on that medication can help fix.

    If it turns out you're like me and just need spoons (look up the spoon theory if you aren't familiar) I cannot recommend a good quality B12 vitamin enough.
  • csplatt
    csplatt Posts: 1,206 Member
    I found that adding 100-150 calories back to my deficit helped with exhaustion and I still lost weight
  • Samantharavenclaw84
    Samantharavenclaw84 Posts: 161 Member
    Terytha wrote: »
    I have been going to the doctor regularly for years. There is "nothing" wrong with me, and all of my symptoms will go away if I lose weight. Also I definitely don't have a thyroid problem even though I have a goiter. That I have every symptom of it is irrelevant, it's all in my fat head that needs to lose weight.

    So sayeth every doctor ever. I've seen so many.

    Fat people don't get medical care.

    I'm sorry that has been your experience. have also had doctors tell me "if you just lose the weight", the look on their face when I explain my records showing the same symptoms from 105 pounds to 150 pounds is kind of nice. They start to backpedal fast and then actually listen to me and symptoms. I was also lucky to find an awesome care team last year and that has helped so much. Can you get a second opinion?
  • floofyschmoofer
    floofyschmoofer Posts: 209 Member
    Terytha wrote: »
    I have been going to the doctor regularly for years. There is "nothing" wrong with me, and all of my symptoms will go away if I lose weight. Also I definitely don't have a thyroid problem even though I have a goiter. That I have every symptom of it is irrelevant, it's all in my fat head that needs to lose weight.

    So sayeth every doctor ever. I've seen so many.

    Fat people don't get medical care.

    That has to be the most frustrating thing. I get it a lot, too, though I haven't been able to afford a true doctor visit in years. I only go when I'm too sick to go to work. I had ONE doctor back in my home state of NC who actually listened to me and didn't just hear "you're overweight, eat a salad and you'll be fine."

  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    Terytha wrote: »
    I have been going to the doctor regularly for years. There is "nothing" wrong with me, and all of my symptoms will go away if I lose weight. Also I definitely don't have a thyroid problem even though I have a goiter. That I have every symptom of it is irrelevant, it's all in my fat head that needs to lose weight.

    So sayeth every doctor ever. I've seen so many.

    Fat people don't get medical care.

    i'm sorry for that - my thyroid issues were ignored for years because my bloodwork was normal...until i wasn't - but i had to really fight to get a referral to an endo and even basic diagnostic tests (ultrasound and then a fine needle biopsy to actual diagnose that my goiter was a tumor...not trying to scare you, just sharing experiences)
  • Terytha
    Terytha Posts: 2,097 Member
    Samantharavenclaw84 wrote: »
    Terytha wrote: »
    I have been going to the doctor regularly for years. There is "nothing" wrong with me, and all of my symptoms will go away if I lose weight. Also I definitely don't have a thyroid problem even though I have a goiter. That I have every symptom of it is irrelevant, it's all in my fat head that needs to lose weight.

    So sayeth every doctor ever. I've seen so many.

    Fat people don't get medical care.

    I'm sorry that has been your experience. have also had doctors tell me "if you just lose the weight", the look on their face when I explain my records showing the same symptoms from 105 pounds to 150 pounds is kind of nice. They start to backpedal fast and then actually listen to me and symptoms. I was also lucky to find an awesome care team last year and that has helped so much. Can you get a second opinion?

    I've had four family doctors, two endocrinologists and one heart specialist in the last 8 years. How many more second opinions?

    Oh, and the heart specialist was really fun. He lectured me about my weight for 10 minutes, called me pathetic and said I was on par with a baby for fitness (I had just been in a serious car crash so that was true in a sense). When I tearfully asked if I was gonna have a heart attack, he told me my heart was strong and healthy as a horse.

    Just had a soapbox to stand on I guess.

    I see my latest endocrinologist again in two weeks. I'll try again I guess. But he was the one who told me to never eat fruit because sugar is evil so...
  • tracybear86
    tracybear86 Posts: 163 Member
    How are you doing mentally and emotionally? Depression can cause mind numbing fatigue. There were times when I was struggling with depression that I could hardly keep my eyes open, I felt like there was something "pulling me under" that I had no control over.
  • Terytha
    Terytha Posts: 2,097 Member
    IsETHome wrote: »
    My 2 cents....If it’s been awhile, Get a male doctor in internal medicine not family practice and ask for a physical. Ask for a full set of labs including vit D and Fasting glucose etc. See a separate OB. Ask if your med plan or work EAP covers wellness coach. Add some general multi vits, stay on MFP and keep going. Get out of the negative story. Fat people do get medical care too....find a better doctor,Try not to do a woe is me....stick to the symptoms with the doctor. Write them down before hand to remember factors. Yes losing weight will help any condition aggravated by weight...and what else..... Also look at your environment for allergens that could make you tired. Ensure pets are not where you sleep, rooms clean and cool. Get rid of dust collectors. Check for molds. get someone else to assess your environment. I have a friend who has a lot of issues and her house is toxic sadly with a pet hoarding husband. Just some ideas.

    I have had SO. MANY. DOCTORS. Seriously. Two left me suicidal so forgive me if I don't agree that more friggin doctors are the answer. And in Canada I don't get to just go to internal medicine. Any specialist appointments must have a referral from a family doctor. Appointments take six months to book.

    Can you give me the benefit of the doubt that in the 20 years I've been dealing with this crap, I've already addressed the obvious? I haven't just been sitting around moping for decades.
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    Terytha wrote: »
    IsETHome wrote: »
    My 2 cents....If it’s been awhile, Get a male doctor in internal medicine not family practice and ask for a physical. Ask for a full set of labs including vit D and Fasting glucose etc. See a separate OB. Ask if your med plan or work EAP covers wellness coach. Add some general multi vits, stay on MFP and keep going. Get out of the negative story. Fat people do get medical care too....find a better doctor,Try not to do a woe is me....stick to the symptoms with the doctor. Write them down before hand to remember factors. Yes losing weight will help any condition aggravated by weight...and what else..... Also look at your environment for allergens that could make you tired. Ensure pets are not where you sleep, rooms clean and cool. Get rid of dust collectors. Check for molds. get someone else to assess your environment. I have a friend who has a lot of issues and her house is toxic sadly with a pet hoarding husband. Just some ideas.

    I have had SO. MANY. DOCTORS. Seriously. Two left me suicidal so forgive me if I don't agree that more friggin doctors are the answer. And in Canada I don't get to just go to internal medicine. Any specialist appointments must have a referral from a family doctor. Appointments take six months to book.

    Can you give me the benefit of the doubt that in the 20 years I've been dealing with this crap, I've already addressed the obvious? I haven't just been sitting around moping for decades.

    we are trying to help you - which unfortunately is hard because you live in different countries to others and it makes it hard to provide inputs that work within your health care constraints
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    I can completely understand the fat people don't get medical care. I've been there. It is impossible to get someone to take you seriously because it is just so easy to blame everything on the weight. For me, a good multivitamin, extra vitamin d (d3) are a must (Northern sunlight just doesn't do it I guess). I hope you can find something that works in a healthcare system that doesn't.
  • corinasue1143
    corinasue1143 Posts: 7,460 Member
    Also I definitely don't have a thyroid problem even though I have a goiter. That I have every symptom of it is irrelevant, it's all in my fat head that needs to lose weight.

    So sayeth every doctor ever.

    I've had four family doctors, two endocrinologists and one heart specialist in the last 8 years. How many more second opinions?

    This is what stood out to me.



    My experience. Doctors were reluctant to even do thyroid tests. Said blood tests didn’t suggest a problem. Finally, my gynecologist told me “Well if they’re not going to help you, you’ll just have to take charge and take care of it yourself. What can I do to help?” I left his office with 3 prescriptions for 3 months each. I kept taking one, stopped the other 2 almost immediately.
    I started really paying attention to everything with soy in it and tried to limit it as much as possible. I started seeking out sources of iodine.

    I am not suggesting you try these things. I am not suggesting they will help you. Many people try to get more soy in their diet, and it works for them.

    What I am trying to say is, you are smart enough to have good ideas about what is wrong, I am sure you have good ideas about how to help yourself. Do your research. If the Doctors are not going to help you, take charge and help yourself!
  • sammidelvecchio
    sammidelvecchio Posts: 791 Member
    I bought a supplement that really helps with my fatigue. It is on Amazon, company is 1 Body and it's called Adrenal Support
  • Samantharavenclaw84
    Samantharavenclaw84 Posts: 161 Member
    Terytha wrote: »
    Samantharavenclaw84 wrote: »
    Terytha wrote: »
    I have been going to the doctor regularly for years. There is "nothing" wrong with me, and all of my symptoms will go away if I lose weight. Also I definitely don't have a thyroid problem even though I have a goiter. That I have every symptom of it is irrelevant, it's all in my fat head that needs to lose weight.

    So sayeth every doctor ever. I've seen so many.

    Fat people don't get medical care.

    I'm sorry that has been your experience. have also had doctors tell me "if you just lose the weight", the look on their face when I explain my records showing the same symptoms from 105 pounds to 150 pounds is kind of nice. They start to backpedal fast and then actually listen to me and symptoms. I was also lucky to find an awesome care team last year and that has helped so much. Can you get a second opinion?

    I've had four family doctors, two endocrinologists and one heart specialist in the last 8 years. How many more second opinions?

    Oh, and the heart specialist was really fun. He lectured me about my weight for 10 minutes, called me pathetic and said I was on par with a baby for fitness (I had just been in a serious car crash so that was true in a sense). When I tearfully asked if I was gonna have a heart attack, he told me my heart was strong and healthy as a horse.

    Just had a soapbox to stand on I guess.

    I see my latest endocrinologist again in two weeks. I'll try again I guess. But he was the one who told me to never eat fruit because sugar is evil so...

    That sounds awful and I'm sorry you had to go through that. I hope that this upcoming visit proves to be successful in you being heard and being taken seriously.
  • timothyrcullen
    timothyrcullen Posts: 5 Member
    Hi Terytha:

    I totally get it! I've had a lot of issues with both weight and sleep. One thing that many people don't consider is the quality of sleep they're getting. Many people don't get referred to sleep specialists and sleep disorders can take years off of life. I would ask your doctor for a referral to a sleep center/specialist and have them perform both a sleep study and Multiple Sleep Latency Test. Just because you're getting eight hours of sleep doesn't mean you're getting enough REM sleep-the most important type. One of the effects of a sleep disorder is that your (rhetorical) serotonin level gets messed up, which in turn messes with your eating habits. You may find that once your sleep issues (if they exist) are resolved, it's easier to lose weight and function during the day. Good luck-

    Tim
  • andielyn
    andielyn Posts: 233 Member
    Hi Terytha,

    I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, so I totally get how the fatigue is real. It is frustrating when doctors don't recognize the fatigue. I'm sorry you haven't gotten an accurate diagnosis yet, despite all the doctors. If you'd like to be friends, add me. That also goes for anyone else replying on this thread that deals with debilitating fatigue or is a spoonie.
  • baconslave
    baconslave Posts: 7,021 Member
    I feel you.
    There's nothing in my bloodwork that says there's ANYTHING wrong with me. I finally found a rheumatologist who agrees with me that I have all the symptoms of Sjogren's even though my bloodwork isn't showing anything. There's nothing that works on Sjogren's anyway, so I'm on my own. I've tried so many supplements. No improvement in symptoms. I have Chronic Fatigue that goes on with it. I also have intermittent fibro, though thankfully it's leaving me alone right now. Nothing helps the fatigue except coffee and a positive attitude. I usually have a fair amount of spoons, so even though it is less than a normal person, I remember that I'm so fortunate on the days I have that many and remain thankful.

    I've given up on doctors. I'm not even going to the rheumy any more. What's the point? There's no med for me since they can't find what's causing the symptoms, and since they can't figure out how to treat Sjogren's anyway, but they can keep charging me and having expensive bloodwork done to look for the nothing, and sympathetically tell me how sorry they are as they take my $$. I just pray that by the time this possibly wakes up in my kids genes that they'll have figured Sjogren's out.
  • floofyschmoofer
    floofyschmoofer Posts: 209 Member
    I commented a while ago but I wanted to come back and mention that my Mom dealt with this for a long time before she was finally diagnosed with Epstein-Barr and later, narcolepsy. I know there a million things that can cause fatigue but it took a long time and a lot of frustration so it's worth googling to see if any of the other symptoms remotely sound familiar.
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