Need advice - Chronic Fatigue Message Board

Golden Girl · 10-19-2003, 02:11 PM

My story is, I am a 45 year old female suffering from fatigue for 5 years. I have seen my regular Doctor, his Physician Assistant, OBGYN, Nurse Practioner, and our company Doctor. The following tests have been done:
1) Thyroid - many times
2) B12 deficiency
3) Anemia
4) Menopause
5) Hormone levels

All came back normal-I was told at one time I was just depressed and was given Paxil. Took it for a little while but stopped when it was not doing any good. ( I took it even though I knew I was not depressed) I have been using Progesterone Cream for about 2 months and can tell a small difference.

I am scheduled to see a Rheumetologist in a couple of weeks, I still don't know why. The nurse just said I didn't HAVE to go if I didn't want to.

Has anyone had similiar experiences or any suggestions? I am not overweight and am very healthy other than the fatigue.

AliceBlueBelle · 10-20-2003, 09:20 PM

Often Rehumetologists are the ones to diagnose chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia. Sometimes it is good to get a different perspective. Often it is just a roll of the dice as to whether or not the trip and tests will be worthwhile. The Rheumy I was sent to was the first doctor to test me for hepatitis C. I had been sent to him because my RA factor was slightly elevated. Everything else was 'normal'. Apparently I have had it since 1967 when I received a transfusion. A test for it wasn't developed until 1992. At least now some of my 'odd symptoms' finally make sense.

You might also want to get copies of your blood tests from the labs that processed them. Often many things can be borderline normal. The doctors usually just give them a glance to see if anyting is outside the normal zone. Some borderline tests are not a problem, others might indicate the need for some specific med or treatment. Sometimes it takes a combination of irregular tests to mean anything.

alice