Tired of Being So Tired! - Chronic Fatigue Message Board

mmandd1 · 12-04-2001, 11:17 AM

Hello!
I am reaching out to others for help and advice as I can't seem to help myself. I am 51 years old and have been experiencing a debilitating fatigue for years now which has not been diagnosed. My family doctor told me "it's all in my head" and for a while, I thought he was right. He had me believing I could overcome the fatigue with exercise and mind over matter, but it has just gotten worse over the years. I have achy joints, TMJ, pins and needles in my arms and legs, insomnia and horrible sleep patterns (which have been helped by taking a 0.5mg tablet of Klonopin before bedtime), low grade fever, go hot and cold at different times, have noticed my speech slurring at times, have difficulty chewing and swallowing, have "brain fog" with trouble remembering things and can hardly function anymore. If I do have some energy and overdo it, I pay the price for the next few days. Help! I used to be so active..people called me perky and energetic. I miss that soooooo much!
I've been on Prozac for 5 weeks now (have tried other anti-depressants that just didn't seem to do any good) so I am hopeful that perhaps things will improve, but so far, nothing. I am post-menopausal and am on estrogen and have tried things like Ginko Biloba, and other herbal supplements that I thought might help. I just want my life back!!
I've been reading some of the other posted messages on Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia and am thinking of seeing a Rheuatologist to have further tests don. Can anyone let me know of some of the tests they had done that helped to diagnose their CF/FMS or a problem with their immune system? Thank you for any help you can give me. Any replies are appreciated and will be answered. I just need to talk! Thanks again, Marty.

orion · 12-06-2001, 05:12 PM

I suggest you have hormone tests done for prolactin, thyroid (TSH), IGF-1 (growth hormone), cortisol, and blood sugar. These simple hormone tests might pinpoint a major but simply fixed problem.

Low thyroid is often associated with fatigue, weight gain, brain fog and depression. Elevated prolactin will identify a possible brain problem that might be causing a thyroid problem. Similarly abnormal growth hormone or cortisol can be associated with the symptoms you describe.

I added in sugar because diabetes can also cause these symptoms.

[This message has been edited by orion (edited 12-06-2001).]

mmandd1 · 12-06-2001, 05:38 PM

Thank you, Orion, for the information. I have made a copy of your reply and will see about having these tests done. One more question, is a Rheumatologist the correct doctor to see if your family doctor isn't supportive? Thanks again for caring and giving me a direction to go in.
Marty

orion · 12-07-2001, 07:36 PM

Zack, I assume any good doctor would already have done the basic blood work including liver and kidney functions. But most often they don't do thyroid or other hormones at all. A complete blood panel is the first step for sure.

I don't think the rhumatologist will do much since you don't seem to have many symptoms that he could deal with. But it can't hurt.

[This message has been edited by orion (edited 12-07-2001).]

bitterglitter · 01-03-2002, 11:49 AM

What about someone with the same symptoms only 21 years old? Shouldn't I be at peak health?
I am sleepy and EXHAUSTED seriously ALL the time. My mental clarity has basically been going down the tubes, I trip over words and can't think of things to say, and things end up coming out all confusing. I used to not be this way at all. I am a very intelligent person who annunciates very well, but you wouldn't know that anymore.
I have gained a lot of weight in the past year, about 80 pounds. And it's not because I got lazy, I was working out all the time, and was still gaining wieght rapidly. Now, I am too tired to even think about starting a workout.
I have had my thyroid checked but the test came back "normal". Anyone have any ideas?