Did you have EXTREME fatigue?

08-06-2008, 10:52 AM

HI there... I am trying to get some information on the cause of my fatigue.. It is SO EXTREME that even though I sleep 7-9 hours a night, I always wake up un-rested and can't keep my eyes open during the day at work.. I am always dozing off at my desk.. or long car rides, in meetings, etc. I am just so worn-down and look like crap.. My dark circles and sunken in face and pale skin look terrible..
I have been to my ENT regarding my tonsils (which he removed in 2006) and my nasal congestion.. which he has given me nasal sprays that don't work. My nose is chronically congested and my turbinates (at front of my nostrils) are visibily swollen when you look inside my nose. This has been like this for a few years now.
I always fall asleep right away.. I can sleep for HOURS and HOURS! I am always tired.. I don't usually wake up during the night, if I do I fall asleep instantly.. And lately I have been dreaming ALOT.. I can remember my dreams every night. Every morning I wake up my nose is always clogged on one side that I sleep on.. Even during the day when I am awake I always feel a congestion that doesn't go away.

Is it possible I have obstructive sleep apnea?
Did you have EXTREME sleepiness and fatigue ?

Any experiences would be helpful in relaying this information to my doctor..

Thanks

08-06-2008, 11:01 AM

Hi staceymck, I feel the same way that you do, I sleep for 8 or more hours a night but I still wank up exhausted. I do suffer from Fibormyalgia so I think my fatigue has something to do with that. I went for a sleep study about a month ago and I just got my results back today, My doctor said that I only have mild sleep apnea so he doesn't recommend a CPAP. He does want me to go see an ear, nose and throat specialist though. I know you said that you have see one before so I was just wondering what would happen on my first visit? I hope that helps a little.

08-06-2008, 01:02 PM

Hi there!
I have not done a sleep study.. I should probably ask my doctor about that..

At a visit with an ENT.. the doctor will examine inside your ears, nose & throat.. if nothing is visibily wrong or you don't complain of any problems the visit will be short and sweet. If you have problems with your sinuses your doctor will arrange a CT scan for your head/nasal area so he can get a detailed view inside your sinuses.

I had one done, and all I showed was small polyps nothing that seemed to be too obstructing inside my nasal cavities. There are 3 of them btw... at the top of your forehead above your nose, inside your cheekbones on each side and inside your nose.

Good luck, hope your visit goes well!

08-06-2008, 03:17 PM

You might also want to have your Thyroid checked. That can also cause fatigue. There is a lot of good information in the Thyroid section of this board.

08-06-2008, 04:43 PM

Yes, it could be obstructive sleep apnea based on your ent history...but it could also be thyroid problems, medication side effects, and dietary imbalances, specifically electrolyte imbalances.

Don't assume it's only one conditon...you should be screened for all...some of us have learned this the hard way.

Good luck!

Bethsheba

08-07-2008, 06:32 AM

Thanks guys..

I do actually have hypothyroidism.. I was diagnosed in 2002 however, my thyroid has been functioning really consistently since going on natural thyroid hormone.. My blood work is all fine, I am thin and in shape never gain any weight.
I am also on depression meds (Celexa) for about 4-5 months now... So it is really hard to tell where this fatigue is coming from

I posted in the depression forum as well and someone mentioned sleep apnea so I thought I would get some info on that..

It's really tough... my doctor can't even find where my fatigue is coming from... It's very frustrating

08-07-2008, 07:26 AM

Stacey,

Celexa is known to cause sleep problems and fatigue...

Although I have lived with untreated sleep disorders for over 40 years (I'm now on cpap, grin), nothing could compare with the extreme fatigue I experienced as a side effect of medication. If I were in your shoes, I would suggest/demand a change in medication keeping in mind that it may take days/weeks/months for your "normal" to return. If you decide to go this route, do some serious reading about celexa withdrawal. Too many doctors say you can just stop and start meds and we find out later they are wrong.

Good luck!

Bethsheba

08-07-2008, 05:42 PM

Thanks for the info on the ENT specialists staceymck! I wish I could help you more with your fatigue, I hope you can get a sleep study done and see what's going on.

08-08-2008, 09:54 PM

All of the information posted has been good....one other thing to check is your cortisol levels. My doctor had these checked via saliva samples taken at different times during the day (upon rising, for one) and my levels are low, reflective of my extreme fatigue. As Bethsheba and others have indicated, though, medication is a common contributor to feeling tired. I recently started on Celexa to help counteract the meds I take that act as depressants (Ambien CR, Soma, Voltaren, Klonopin, Neurontin, Mirapex, Phenergan). I am tired ALL of the time. But, I don't how much of it is due to the meds, my imbalances, my fibromyalgia, or quality (or lack thereof) of sleep. I am also on CPAP, but I think I need an adjustment and will be taking my machine to the doc next week for that.

Cortisol is vital for "waking" you up in the morning, and if your levels are low, that can leave you feeling tired all the time. Might be worth checking out.

Sending prayers your way for relief....

Blessings,
TexMom

08-09-2008, 04:21 AM

One more thing about Thyroid. Don't assume that because your labs were within the "normal" range that all is well. If you do some research you will find that not all doctors agree on what is "normal". If you have a copy of your latest blood work it would be interesting to know what your numbers are. You say you're on natural hormone so I'm assuming it's Armour. What is your dose?

08-09-2008, 11:22 AM

Thanks TexMom there is a very good possibility of that! I am going to go see my Thyroid doc- he is great with all the hormonal/endocrine stuff.. and I do have ALOT of symptoms of adrenal fatigue! I went through a very chronic period of stress for about 6 months, which is what caused me to hit depression and go on those meds.. I think it could be possible my cortisol levels are low, or possibly took a strain on my adrenals... I will get that checked out!

Love2Fish- I do agree, and for years on Synthetic thyroid I never felt well despite my lab work being "normal"...but I switched to natural thyroid- here in Canada its made by ERFA. And I felt great for about 3 years now.. I don't have my lab work in front of me, but my TSH was on the low end -0.05 (almost considered HYPER-thyroid) but my free T3 and T4- are both in the middle/upper range so I was ok.

Did you have EXTREME fatigue?

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