I am not sure whether my fatigue is physical or mental, or if it's something I should go back to the Drs about.

Brief history - about a year ago I went on SSRI meds for 6 months, I had low mood and fatigue. The Dr said the SSRI would not only improve my mood but would give me a boost of energy. Well the mood did improve but the boost of energy never came. When I saw my GP about coming off SSRI I explained the energy was still low, at the time I was out of work and could not understand how someone not working could be so tired - she said looking for work was tiring.

I came off the SSRI and was okay in my mood, I got a pt job and have been there 5 months. The fatigue still persists, although it comes in waves and some days are better than others.

A typical day for me would be awake at 6am, work 7am-12pm. A few hours sleep in the afternoon. Bed 10pm. Does this sound normal? I feel like I'm sleeping my life away. I also have migraines (sleeping is often all I can do with them).

Previously to the fatigue I was pretty fit, running, swimming - I have declined in my performance significantly and not enjoying it anymore as it feels so much harder.

In addition I am clumsy/badly co-ordinated and having a lot of mishaps which I put down to tiredness. Also my libido is non-existent (previously healthy).

Part of me wonders if this is just middle age decline and that is why I'm reluctant to go back to Dr, also she seemed dismissive last time.

Any experiences of dealing with fatigue?

[Skeezyks]

Hi prefabsprout: Oh yes... fatigue is something I've pretty-much always struggled with to one degree or another. Of course, at this point, part of it is age-related. But fatigue is nothing new to me. No matter how much I would sleep, I'd still feel exhausted much of the time. I don't know what has caused it. I've had a life-long struggle with depression & anxiety & I have to believe that wears on a person.

I read an article in our local newspaper a while back that talked about how the number of hours sleep a person gets is not all there is to feeling rested. What's also important is that a person gets down into the deeper levels of sleep for sufficient lengths of time because it is at these deeper levels that both physical & mental healing occurs. Unfortunately, the article didn't say anything about how to get down into those deeper levels of sleep.

Have you had your bloodwork done recently? Where they test for thyroid issues, vitamin deficiences and anemia? Do you get sunshine or take cod liver oil or vitamin D? Also, are you staying away from sugar and processed foods but getting nuts, healthy oils, some proteins and vegtables? You are starting work early, are you either eating breakfast (such as a vegtable omelet) or bringing a substantial snack (at least 300 calories)? Obviously, it could be something else besides these things but they would be where I would start. Though the clumsiness makes me think you should start trying to figure it out. At least since you get off at noon, it shouldn't be that hard to get into a doctor. You know you should make an appointment tomorrow. I hope you get this figured out....

Originally Posted by Hopingtrying

Have you had your bloodwork done recently? Where they test for thyroid issues, vitamin deficiences and anemia? Do you get sunshine or take cod liver oil or vitamin D? Also, are you staying away from sugar and processed foods but getting nuts, healthy oils, some proteins and vegtables? You are starting work early, are you either eating breakfast (such as a vegtable omelet) or bringing a substantial snack (at least 300 calories)? Obviously, it could be something else besides these things but they would be where I would start. Though the clumsiness makes me think you should start trying to figure it out. At least since you get off at noon, it shouldn't be that hard to get into a doctor. You know you should make an appointment tomorrow. I hope you get this figured out....

My bloodwork was last year, the one thing that came back was Vit D insufficiency so I am on supplements for that (told for the rest of my life).

As far as diet, generally it's good but the holidays have been less so. I always have breakfast (homemade oat granola) maybe I could try eggs. One problem is my company is supposed to give me a goodwill 15 min break (not required by law because it is only a 5 hour shift) but in practice we are so busy I rarely get it, so by time I finish it is almost 6 hours since I last ate - that isn't ideal. It is also a very physical job so I am hungry by then.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Skeezyks

Hi prefabsprout: Oh yes... fatigue is something I've pretty-much always struggled with to one degree or another. Of course, at this point, part of it is age-related. But fatigue is nothing new to me. No matter how much I would sleep, I'd still feel exhausted much of the time. I don't know what has caused it. I've had a life-long struggle with depression & anxiety & I have to believe that wears on a person.

I read an article in our local newspaper a while back that talked about how the number of hours sleep a person gets is not all there is to feeling rested. What's also important is that a person gets down into the deeper levels of sleep for sufficient lengths of time because it is at these deeper levels that both physical & mental healing occurs. Unfortunately, the article didn't say anything about how to get down into those deeper levels of sleep.

Yes it would definitely be helpful to know how to get into the deeper sleep - I appreciate your sharing this thanks Skeez and I'm sorry you battle with this too. A & D is very wearing, mine is much improved but the fatigue is left.

Posting again almost 3 months on.

I upped the ante, pushed the exercise a bit more, I have largely cut the afternoon naps out but I am still really tired and athletic performance is even worse than when I first posted.

Bit of a vent really

Prefab-How many days a week do you work 5 hour shifts? I feel like a 5 hour shift plus a workout and I bet you go shopping for groceries, fix dinner for your H everyday--well, that sounds like a full day. Do you workout everyday? Perhaps 4 days a week is enough for tougher workouts and then just walk like I do the other 3 days?
What kind of SSRI were you taking before? I take Bupropion and I notice that it has a good effect on my libido. I guess I am lucky in that I mostly feel energetic sleeping six hours nightly about 80 percent of the time while rarely napping. However, I cannot do as much physically as I used to. I am probably not a good comparison as far as physical activity due to my age (53) and my injury. Though concerning an SSRI, once you start, it can be tough to stop.
Also, I know how little sunshine you get in the winter where you are. Today is the first day of Spring! Whenever it is not raining there, I recommend that you get some sunshine. Sunshine does wonders for my mood. Coffee and chocolate can be helpful too! And maybe try the doctor again? I hope you feel better soon.

The funny thing is they cut my hours at work so I am working 4 hour shifts now 5x week (occasionally 6 which I dislike), but even on my week off I am tired. Pretty spot on about my daily activities - I am chief cook and bottle washer (we eat well) and I do exercise most days (run, swim, bike, gym)

I was on Zoloft but have been off it for over 8 months now, bit wobbly coming off but did it in a month.

I don't know if I am depressed - my mood feels okay, just tired.

Coffee and chocolate sound good but when I'm tired I give into sugar craving too easily (trying to cut back) - Spring also sounds good. Not sure about Dr, they don't seem to do anything or care, not that I blame them, they see so many really ill people - someone who can't run as far or as fast as they used to isn't really a concern to them.

[*Laurie*]

Fatigue is miserable. My first thought upon reading your update is that your depression might manifest as a very physical depression. In all my years of being in the mental health system I've noticed that for some people, depression is a very physical disorder. The challenge is that (in my experience, anyway) psych meds (except stimulants) cause tiredness. So if one is depressed - tired...and on anti-depressants - tired.

I'm on several meds and I sleep at least 10 hours every night, plus I often have to lie down during the afternoon for half an hour because I feel exhausted. I go to bed by 9:30 - I feel like going to bed at 8, but I don't allow myself to.

If I worked the schedule you're working I would be exhausted.

I wish I had some great advice for you, I feel so bad for you. All I can think of is trying an antidepressant and hope that after a few months of treatment you feel less tired.

Thanks Laurie, that really is valuable to read about physical depression. So perhaps I still have it. I actually feel more hopeful, because awful though it is depression can be treated (with varying success).

[BlueEyedMama]

Back in 1998 when I was DX with lupus it was the profound fatigue that lead to tests which eventually led to lupus. I was treated for depression as well but much like you my mood increased but the fatigue level remained severe. I also have thyroid issues which can cause mood changed, severe fatigue, joint pain etc...

If I were you I would bring it up once more with the doc and see what she says. It might be depression rearing it's ugly head once more but it also could be something physical like in my case.

I wish you all the best and am sending you as much energy as I can muster. *hugs*

Have posted about this on another similar thread but coming back to this original one.

I got back to my GP like people suggested and got bloodwork done, my haemoglobin is under half what it should be - on the day I had my blood taken and went out for dinner, went for one drink afterwards with my husband and just about fell asleep in the bar which I felt lousy about (this was 8pm!). It kind of crept up on me but looking back I can see how abnormal my fatigue was.

I have high dose iron tablets now and hopeful I will be back to normal in a few months.