[ECHOES]

I'm not often a person with a high energy level, but I keep having these periods of fatigue where I just want to do absolutely nothin'. I sleep a lot and even quiet activities like reading or needlework, both things I enjoy, don't appeal to me and make me tired after a short time if I go ahead and do them.

There is tired, really tired, and then this fatigue. I MUST sleep, but I don't wake up and feel the energy is back, that I have been restored.

I eat fairly well, don't smoke, don't drink. But I am overweight and don't exercise beyond normal daily tasks. It doesn't seem like it's just lack of exercise but it could be so today I bought a used treadmill and will begin using it daily.
Hauled it home, unloaded it from my car, hustled in inside my apartment, (reassured the cat), then hello naptime; just woke up, still dragging...

[pegasus]

((((((((( ECHOES ))))))))))

It would be worth going to your Doc and having a blood test to find out if there is something else going on.

[ECHOES]

Thanks for listening to my whine, Pegs

I don't currently have a doc, but will be seeing a new one on the 20th

[rainbow_rose]

i totally get what you are describing... you are not alone in this ... wish I had some kind of answer.

((((((Echoes)))))))

I had something similar going on a could of winters ago, and I finally went to the doctor and had a ton of blood work done and everything was completely normal. It turned out it was depression (which I had never had before and totally didn't recognize). I started Wellbutrin (which works quickly) and was better within a few days. SUCH a relief.

I really, really hope you feel better soon!

[doglover5]

I was having similar issues, with being sleepy and having absolutely no energy at all. I would literally trade just about anything for sleep! To the point where if left alone, even though there were other things i wanted to do, i needed so much sleep i'd only wake up for food! Checked my blood work & everything was fine- I was eventually diagnosed with a sleep disorder (hypersomnia). Everyone kept telling me "oh you just need to be exercising!" It was sooooo frustrating! I was like "I can't exercise if I can't stay awake to do so people!!" I'm now on a stimulant (vyvanse) usually used for ADD/ADHD and its the only thing that allows me to function on a "normal" or socially acceptable amount of sleep.

I hope you get everything figured out!

[notz]

I can only share what my experience is & I'm not saying this is true for you. When I do the sleep/fatigue thing, I'm usually avoiding something.

[ECHOES]

I saw a new doctor on the 20th. I think she suspects sleep apnea. I was dx'd with that a long time ago, used a CPAP for a long time. Then I lost weight and didn't need it anymore. I've gained weight now. About 6 months ago I attempted to use the CPAP again but it is old and needs at least a new mask, but at the time I didn't have a doctor.
Anyway, she mentioned a sleep study. But I have a $2,000 deductible and no free money to pay upfront. I really just want to lose the weight but I realize that sleeping well might help that. So maybe before the end of the year I will have enough saved for a new sleep study, and possibly a new CPAP.

I am hypothyroid, have been for years and am pretty good about getting the daily med in for that.

I had lab work done last Friday so maybe that will show something.

At the moment I have a cold sore and all that goes with that (flu-like symptoms, for me).

And, yes notz, I have also found that I didn't know I was trying to suppress something when I was fatigued, but I noticed the flow of energy that came with the relief of talking about something in therapy. Thanks

Will be interested in what, if anything, the lab results have to say.

[sunrise]

ECHOES, it sounds like it might be the sleep apnea again. I have OSA and my symptoms before I got CPAP sound very similar to yours. I was exhausted all the time. I would not feel refreshed at all after waking up in the morning. I fell asleep multiple times each day, sometimes while driving. The CPAP made a big difference for me. I just got some new masks for my machine and they don't cost too much. So if your old CPAP is working, maybe you can get by on just getting new masks. I lost my health insurance at the end of the year so I stocked up on supplies in December. If your CPAP still works, could you just buy one mask and try it out? It can't really hurt to sleep with a CPAP if you don't have sleep apnea, and if it helps you, then great. Maybe your doctor can advise.

Since you suspect you have sleep apnea again, perhaps you could get an abbreviated sleep study that will be cheaper. When I had my sleep study done, they hooked me up to a zillion things and measured all sorts of stuff. When I met with my sleep doctor to go over the results, he ignored most of the data. I kept asking him well what about this page and graphs, and he kept saying, oh they don't really tell us anything, they're not sensitive enough tests. I felt so pissed off I had to suffer through that horrid sleep study with all thesewires and tubes in me and then he said well that data's useless. At least he could see all the sleep interruptions, but beyond that, it was so wasteful and invasive. So if I ever get a sleep study done again, I will only be hooked up to those things that give data they can use. Such a waste of money otherwise (it's a racket for the doc, I think). That's my rant!!

I am glad to hear you are going to a new doc.

For me, depression and lack of sleep are deeply intertwined. I am not sure which comes first. But if I feel myself missing sleep for too many days in a row, I start getting depressed. If you are feeling down, you may feel better if you can find a physical cause for your lack of sleep and remedy it.

[ECHOES]

Thank you sunny for your thoughts on the sleep study. When I last priced one, 2 years ago it was an enormous amount of money.

I had bloodwork done a week ago. My TSH is high - 7.235. So that medication dose has been upped to 150 mcg. Worse, my trigs are up again, to 780 so I'm starting Lipitor today. (Just irks me to no end how that company will not let this drug go generic, and how the FDA continues to allow this to go on for so long! anyway..)
Cholesterol way up also - 347.
A few other things were a little off, MCH was high, WBC was low, a few others at minimum level of normal.

So, low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, increased exercise, weight loss is my goal. I don't want to be on medication and losing weight will help bring my numbers down and help with the OSA. When I lost weight a few years ago due to illness, I stopped using the CPAP because I really didn't need it since my anatomy changed.

Bloodwork will be done again in 2 months. I hope to be feeling better by then too

[ahiru]

I'm in the same situation. I feel like the work day has been insanely stressful - but I do absolutely nothing, when I get home I just feel like lying down without doing anything worthwhile (possibly watch a film just to relax, and eating of course - if possible lying down as well).

my girlfriend convinced me to do some walking, we tried and went loads of time, but each time (around 40') it feels like I'm dragging myself even more... no will whatsoever to go outside and walk..... I just want to stay home and think of nothing at all..

[ECHOES]

ahiru, have you had a physical check-up recently? Maybe something is going on that is contributing to how you're feeling? Stress is draining, that's for sure.

If walking hasn't helped you feel better, I think you might want to consider seeing a doctor for a check-up.

Since I began the thyroid medication at the increased dose, I feel better. I also think I was trying to get by on not enough sleep, and the stress added to that was just too much.

I hope you feel much better soon!

[ahiru]

Originally Posted by ECHOES

ahiru, have you had a physical check-up recently? Maybe something is going on that is contributing to how you're feeling? Stress is draining, that's for sure.

If walking hasn't helped you feel better, I think you might want to consider seeing a doctor for a check-up.

Since I began the thyroid medication at the increased dose, I feel better. I also think I was trying to get by on not enough sleep, and the stress added to that was just too much.

I hope you feel much better soon!

thanks! yes I'm doing a blood test soon to check on those possibly related things (diabetes/triglycerides etc). my shrink says due to some mood changes and depression scenario I get tired in such a way that is overwhelming. but will check if it's something physical just in case.

[Fresia]

Originally Posted by ECHOES

.... I'm starting Lipitor today. (Just irks me to no end how that company will not let this drug go generic, and how the FDA continues to allow this to go on for so long! anyway..)

It has been astounding how long Lipitor as been branded but it is due to the company being bought out, changing hands, and transfer of the patents to extend it. Annoying to say the least. However, it is now available in a generic: Atorvastatin Calcium. Check with your pharmacy or call around. I especially remember when Walmart announced it would be carrying it. Perhaps this will help for costs but I don't know how much it is though, hopefully much less.

Hang in there meanwhile. I know how frustrating the fatigue is. (((((Echoes)))))))

[Travelinglady]

I, too, am just dragging. I just got a sleep test last night and will get the results in about a week. I sure hope that's the main issue, because most everything but sleep apnea has been ruled out.

There is now a "home" monitor that can be used for a night to see if sleep apnea is occurring. I did that first and scored in the "red" zone. It's my first time with sleep apnea, so then I was sent to the clinic to sleep, to see what is going on in detail. I would think that would be a lot cheaper than going into the sleep clinic for a night.

Also, there are new versions of the CPAP machines. I don't know their different prices.

I do know that increased weight is associated with sleep apnea. I have gained recently.....So, I wouldn't be surprised if your sleep apnea hasn't returned.

Hope all will be resolved soon, dear one!

[ECHOES]

Originally Posted by Fresia

It has been astounding how long Lipitor as been branded but it is due to the company being bought out, changing hands, and transfer of the patents to extend it. Annoying to say the least. However, it is now available in a generic: Atorvastatin Calcium. Check with your pharmacy or call around. I especially remember when Walmart announced it would be carrying it. Perhaps this will help for costs but I don't know how much it is though, hopefully much less.

Hang in there meanwhile. I know how frustrating the fatigue is. (((((Echoes)))))))

Thank you Yes the generic is only $45 instead of $150. That is still a chunk of money and it should be a Walmart $4 Rx by now, but all those sneaky little maneuvers were done to prevent that. BUT - I can afford the $45 much easier, so I'm glad for that!

[ECHOES]

Originally Posted by PAYNE1

I, too, am just dragging. I just got a sleep test last night and will get the results in about a week. I sure hope that's the main issue, because most everything but sleep apnea has been ruled out.

There is now a "home" monitor that can be used for a night to see if sleep apnea is occurring. I did that first and scored in the "red" zone. It's my first time with sleep apnea, so then I was sent to the clinic to sleep, to see what is going on in detail. I would think that would be a lot cheaper than going into the sleep clinic for a night.

Also, there are new versions of the CPAP machines. I don't know their different prices.

I do know that increased weight is associated with sleep apnea. I have gained recently.....So, I wouldn't be surprised if your sleep apnea hasn't returned.

Hope all will be resolved soon, dear one!

PAYNE, I hope you feel better soon and that the CPAP works well for you.

If I had decent insurance I am sure I would get the testing done and a new machine, but I just don't have the money this year. Maybe next year, if I still need it!

[Perna]

I see my doctor after blood tests mid-April and am hoping to work on some things now so that my blood tests will be good then :-) I had a no energy/must sleep day day-before-yesterday and thought it was a cold but now I'm pretty much okay so don't know what it could have been. I'm not walking like I wanted to do down here in Florida, just doing a lot of reading. I did get out in the sun today; my last few tests we have been testing for Vitamin D and mine was low and that has made a difference in energy I think. However, I can't find a pill I "like" (and that might have been what messed me up too). I'm only on .75 thyroid and hope I don't have to increase it anytime soon.

[ECHOES]

Perna, my increase in my thyroid med has helped me so much. Why do you not want to increase it if you need to?

Maybe also giving up snacks and eating low fat too has helped.
Like you, I'm not walking (treadmill) quite as much as I wanted to, but I can fix that

I haven't taken Vit D for a while but I honestly didn't see a difference when I did.

[Perna]

I'm not really thrilled with the thyroid thing and how many women seem to be put on it, etc.; it reminds me too much of the other, lets-all-do-hormone-replacement thing back in the 70's-90's and the horrible DES in the 50's? They still don't know that much about menopause, are still treating it like a "disease" and I don't trust them. All the illnesses I have they don't understand but are happy to throw powerful meds and hormones at which then wreck your body's ability to do much. Why the doctor's don't get a clue and "make" you work on your diet and set up exercise classes, etc., or at least offer them I wonder about. They let the whole diet industry make a shambles of that area and then stick their noses in the air.

I was trying to tell my doctor about my wonderful work at Sparkpeople.com and how I'd lost my 45 pounds and it went in one ear and out the other and he handed me a single sheet of paper about a 1500 calorie diet, had nothing to do with what I was saying/bragging about. Recently when he said I needed vitamin D and wrote a prescription we both joked about, "Oh, I'm getting on that bandwagon am I?" as it's the new, "in" thing now it seems. The blood tests in a couple months will test my vitamin B12; I'm going to be doing a lot of liver eating before then He thought my B was low last time and I realized the next day that I'd been out to dinner the night before my blood tests and had 3 beers and alcohol/beer processing needs B vitamins, duh. So, I'm going to live perfectly for a couple weeks/month before I go to the doctor and see what I can see :-)

I have an adrenal mass and we check it every now and then but anything having to do with that adrenal/thyroid/pituitary triangle worries me and in addition to all the diets mess they let the "adrenal fatigue" people make their bucks selling bogus snake oil, etc.

But mostly I'm pissed because I had too much Levaquin and other antibiotics which altered a bunch of stuff inside I can never get back right again and I'm pissed I'm getting older and things are going to break down, there's nothing one can do about that but we keep forgetting that and keep messing with stuff in ways we shouldn't. Like I was telling my doctor last month, if I lost 100 pounds now, at my age, I'd be all heavy duty skin folds and who knows what problem they'd cause as I'm not about to have the major surgery to remove the excess skin! Yes I can improve my overall health with diet and exercise but at what cost at this point in my life? No way I'm going to spend 5-6 hours a day exercising to keep off 100 pounds, just not my lifestyle at this point, I don't think.

[Travelinglady]

Echoes, can you at least afford a visit to your ENT? I understand there might be some sort of mouth guard that could be helpful if sleep apnea is possibly the problem.

Please keep us informed, and I hope the reason(s) for your tiredness will be figured out soon.

[ECHOES]

Well Perna I can understand your reservations and I respect your ideas.

I've had thyroid issues all my life, so the medication isn't an issue with me, fortunately.
And I don't ever want to feel as horrible as I was feeling a month ago. I could barely get through a day at work.

I think new things are discovered all the time. The Vit D link is something new but I suppose I'd be more enthusiastic if I knew more about the research, how it was done, on whom, and all that.

New things do come to light sometimes. My retina specialist was telling me about beta carotene and how ophthalmologists noticed that patients who were former smokers were developing lung cancers more often when they took beta carotene supplements. So now there are 2 types of "eye" vitamins, one with Vit A and one without, and that is why.
I guess those guys pay attention. I want to say "Good Eye!!" hehe..
http://www.wellnessletter.com/html/d...taCarotene.php

Well when docs ignore our weight loss success it is really disappointing. A few years ago I was pretty sick, and one good side effect was a huge weight loss, over 80 lbs. My (then) doctor never once mentioned it, even though vitals were done at each visit.
grrr.

On a (kind of) related note, I saw a really interesting show on PBS this morning about several places in the U.S. making great strides in reducing health care costs, involving the patient in the treatment decision making process, and reducing the use of high cost prescriptions.

My therapist lost a ton of weight since I've been seeing her. She is over 65. Is she wrinkled? Yep. Does she feel better? Very much. Does she look fantastic even with her wrinkles - you bet!!

[ECHOES]

Originally Posted by PAYNE1

Echoes, can you at least afford a visit to your ENT? I understand there might be some sort of mouth guard that could be helpful if sleep apnea is possibly the problem.

Please keep us informed, and I hope the reason(s) for your tiredness will be figured out soon.

Thank you for your suggestion, PAYNE! I just bit the bullet and called a medical supply place where I bought my last CPAP supplies. They still had all my info and they are getting insurance approval. The cost will only be $92, unless my insurance company discounts that. So that isn't so bad and I'll give it another try and see how it goes.

I was trying to sneak in a nap before a dental appointment and my throat collapsing was just too much, so that motivated me to get some facts before I decided I couldn't afford it. The price is much lower than the prices I saw online, so

[sunrise]

That's good news, ECHOES. I hope you get your CPAP supplies soon and give it a try.

[-jimi-]

Can relate to fatigue. So tired.

I thought it would turn around when the sun started coming back but no.

I seriously don't "do" fatigue and avoid things, I have the real thing as most people do. Real fatigue is horrid. All things you want and need to do... when you try to force yourself to do them is like your whole system is screaming NO!!!

I cover up my feelings with Ritalin when I really have to do something. Then, when the med wears off I totally collapse because I used up too much energy.

Had my iron and B12 tested, within normal range unfortunately. A little on the low side for iron, but shouldn't cause this. Next step is checking my thyroid levels. But I'm not hopeful. I guess I will have to live like this until I die.

I feel for everyone with real fatigue. It's really nothing fun or useful about it.