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Post by cindyupnorth on Nov 4, 2020 2:13:42 GMT
This is what I was going to say too. If you are going through life feeling that tired all the time, can you afford NOT to? It would be worth contacting your insurance company just to see what it would actually cost, I think now some places let you do the test at home where the cost might be less. On the flip side of that coin, what would feeling really good and being fully rested on a regular basis be worth to you? Getting a CPAP has been truly life changing for DH and all of his friends who have one. That is true. I just know my insurance doesn't pay for anything. And my deductible is pretty high. I had to go thru a bunch of heart cardiac tests a few yrs ago, which I think was caused by my anemia going thru menopause, and that cost and arm and leg. |
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tincin
Drama Llama
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Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Nov 4, 2020 3:22:12 GMT
I feel your pain. I’m tired all of the time as well. I suffer from a low thyroid and all the tests say it’s normal. No answers to be found after a multitude of tests.
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Post by lancermom on Nov 4, 2020 3:48:14 GMT
I could have written this post too. My doctor ran every test. Nothing. I complain every year. My MD gave me antidepressants, they didn’t work. Tried ADD meds, nope. She sent me to two therapists, one said I was fine, no need to go back. The second asked if I knew why I was there. Nope! She said, I don’t either. Talked to my MD, next month said I was well adjusted and said if I want to going to have someone to talk to I could go, but she didn’t feel I needed help.
So now I feel like a lazy lump. I work in healthcare too. I can be on and going, but once home and on weekends, Hame the remote let me watch Netflix.
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Nov 4, 2020 5:46:50 GMT
I feel tired quite often.
Partly from lifelong chronic insomnia.
My energy level plummets if I don't drink water regularly. I think I get dehydrated easily. If I slack on my water intake at all, I become very sluggish and tired.
The same goes for eating(but more so from lack of water). I try eat more smaller meals instead of the traditional three meals a day.
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Post by dewryce on Nov 4, 2020 6:02:46 GMT
No, it’s not just you, I feel you. Personally I’d check my thyroid (and in range isn’t necessarily optimal for you so go by symptoms), anemia (maybe aim for even better levels), go for a higher Vitamin-D level unless you are in the high range, and get a sleep study done. That’d be my first priority. Fish oil is good to take at night, as is magnesium IIRC. Zebra-type things to look for would be fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome. They’re fairly similar but fibro has a larger pain component. Is thinking too much an issue, do you lay down and can’t turn off your brain? Depression, anxiety, mania can all have a big impact on your sleep. I’m sorry, I have a combo of many of these and I know it’s miserable. What I wouldn’t give to wake up one morning with even a glimpse of energy!
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ModChick
Drama Llama
True North Strong and Free
Posts: 5,079 
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Post by ModChick on Nov 4, 2020 6:07:41 GMT
Yes. You’ve just described my life. I always think there must be something wrong but years ago I had a full work up and nothing wrong besides IBS and migraines. I remember being young and going to sleepovers and getting angry at the other girls because they wouldn’t let me sleep. I’ve been tired my entire life as well.
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Post by dewryce on Nov 4, 2020 6:11:41 GMT
I'm usually tired and something always hurts. I probably have fibromyalgia but I'd rather continue to do whatever I can to remain active rather than give in. I bounce around from healthy eating to unhealthy, so i can't really blame diet because nothing changes. I exercise routinely and have a trainer I meet with once a week. I sleep whenever possible, since i work 3 12hr night shifts per week and am often sleep deprived. I try to limit the ibuprofen i take but I'm so tired of hurting. Still, i just keep going because it beats the alternative for me. And i really enjoy getting outside and being active in nature, that's very healing for me. All that rambling aside, i use Ambien to sleep at night when I'm home so i can say least get some good sleep. I also usually spend a day recovering on the couch. I'm 48 and probably too old for long night shifts! But the pay is good. I'm looooove ibro, so there's that also. I have a lot of aches and pains. I try to use ice and heat, but my go to med when hurting is definitely ibro. After reading I’m going to recommend a good rheumatologist to check for autoimmune disorders like the fibro/cfs I mentioned above and repeat the suggestion for a sleep study. If you have sleep apnea and aren’t treating it you are likely doing so much damage to your body, your heart in particular. It’s a silent killer. Have you ever seen a sleep specialist? A good one? Tried any sleep medications? My sleep doctor doesn’t like to give people with apnea sleep medication, and they don’t work for me anyway. But for some people,it can be a lifesaver. If anyone prescribes Ambien please, please, please don’t take it until you are literally in bed. It can be fun to watch people be Ambien-drunk...my DH crawled to bed one night. Another time he broke and almost fell through our second story window. |
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Post by dewryce on Nov 4, 2020 6:14:43 GMT
I feel your pain. I’m tired all of the time as well. I suffer from a low thyroid and all the tests say it’s normal. No answers to be found after a multitude of tests. I hate that so many doctors only treat by lab numbers. Just because your thyroid is in the normal range doesn’t mean it’s a good level for you. Have you checked to see if you have any other hypothyroid symptoms? |
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Post by prapea on Nov 4, 2020 6:22:12 GMT
Don’t laugh or think I am being stupid when I ask this...do you get dreams when you sleep? Dreams that are lengthy? Dreams that you remember?
I have thyroid issues, always low on b-12 and vitamin D and all that jazz. Even with taking medication and even when my levels are “normal”, I used to feel always tired. I have insomnia or I am just tired all the time.
So I started keeping track of my sleep patterns (without getting a sleep test). I noticed that the days I sleep good and wake up not so tired are the days when I have nice long dreams that I even remember when I wake up. May be because that means I am getting good REM sleep those days.
I am just throwing this there because I feel shitty most days due to my health issues.
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MaryMary
Pearl Clutcher
Lazy
Posts: 2,975
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Post by MaryMary on Nov 4, 2020 6:48:16 GMT
I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t exhausted. My body always hurts. But, I have Ehlers Danlos, so that’s all typical.
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Post by dewryce on Nov 4, 2020 7:54:42 GMT
I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t exhausted. My body always hurts. But, I have Ehlers Danlos, so that’s all typical. Can I ask what made them look at EDS for you? I have hyper-mobile joints and ages ago when I looked into it I seemed to have many of the signs including PPROM. But I also have psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia and I don’t recall any testing related to EDS my rheumatologist might have done. How were you diagnosed?And, most importantly, are there treatments for you or is it just a ‘good to know’ thing to understand your symptoms? I know heart defects are a possibility but I’ve had a heart CT and echo for other reasons and all seems fine there. |
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MaryMary
Pearl Clutcher
Lazy
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Post by MaryMary on Nov 4, 2020 15:04:22 GMT
We first looked at it because my sister saw a Facebook post from one of her friends talking about stretchy skin/hypermobile joint symptoms of EDS and realized she had all of the same symptoms. She mentioned it to me, and I told my daughter who has had unexplained joint pain and crazy health issues since she was a kid. Anyway, she looked it up and said, “I think this is what I have.” So I started looking at all the health issues caused by EDS and was like... “are you kidding me? This is all me, too.”
My daughter and I saw a genetic counselor who told us she thought we had EDS based on our hypermobility and health issues. Our doctors diagnosed us based on the genetic counselor. There’s not really much that can be done other than physical therapy and prevention, but knowing what is wrong had been helpful and super validating. I always thought I was just a lazy slob... crushing fatigue is a hallmark of EDS.
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Post by dewryce on Nov 4, 2020 15:16:47 GMT
Thanks MaryMary! I’m sorry you both suffer and hope your other children missed the needed gene(s). I have several things I need genetic tests for, I’m just afraid if I get them, with health insurance issues being up what they are, I could really be shooting myself in the (insert painful joints of the day). So I need to determine if the PT would be worth it. Seeing as I’m married to an OT I should probably get his opinion  I so completely understand the validating part. I first felt that with my bipolar diagnosis and then all the fun stuff that came after that. But especially the fibro and Psoriatic arthritis. The understanding really does help, doesn’t it? |
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Post by bc2ca on Nov 4, 2020 17:44:58 GMT
My diet is ok. We eat just typical food. Nothing really healthy, but nothing really bad either. We usually eat better in the summer, Lots of fresh fruit and veggies. For dinners usually I will do a protein and a veggie. Like chicken legs and roasted broccoli. Or like this wkend, it was ribs and baked potato. I do tend to snack a bit too much once home. and I could lose some wt, but I've been this wt for awhile. Exercise. I do not do any extra exercise, being that is what I do all day. I'm a PTA at a hospital. So I am literally walking or exercising with someone all day long. I am just too tired to do anything more when I get home. Esp now with the time change. It's pitch dark by the time I get home. I know I should do more. I have a lot of aches and pains. I don't really understand describing your diet as "nothing really healthy"? I haven't had life long fatigue like you, but definitely age related sluggishness, aches, pains and sleep issues. Some of mine are related to autoimmune disease and by following Whole30 it became really clear dairy, gluten and nightshades are real problems for me. Have you tried an elimination diet to see what might be triggers for you? While being on your feet and walking around all day puts you ahead of someone who has a desk job, it really doesn't replace dedicated exercise where your heart rate is elevated, muscles fatigued and stretched. Yoga is super easy to do at home following Youtube videos like Yoga with Adrienne. If a sleep study is not an option right now, a simple way to track your sleep is with a Fitbit. It's been eye opening for both DH & I to at least have a look at how much time is spent in REM, deep and light sleep and how often we are awake during the night. |
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,382
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Nov 5, 2020 2:18:25 GMT
I feel your pain. I’m tired all of the time as well. I suffer from a low thyroid and all the tests say it’s normal. No answers to be found after a multitude of tests. I hate that so many doctors only treat by lab numbers. Just because your thyroid is in the normal range doesn’t mean it’s a good level for you. Have you checked to see if you have any other hypothyroid symptoms? I’m on thyroid meds now. My fingernails are brittle, my hair is still falling out, my skin is always super dry, I feel like these should be better if my meds are right. |
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Nov 5, 2020 2:28:26 GMT
My husband just talked to his doctor about a sleep study. The cost is about $4000 and they want the part that won't be paid by insurance paid up front. cindyupnorth have you had your iron levels checked? |
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Post by dewryce on Nov 5, 2020 3:11:23 GMT
I hate that so many doctors only treat by lab numbers. Just because your thyroid is in the normal range doesn’t mean it’s a good level for you. Have you checked to see if you have any other hypothyroid symptoms? I’m on thyroid meds now. My fingernails are brittle, my hair is still falling out, my skin is always super dry, I feel like these should be better if my meds are right. I agree, I’d say your levels need to be adjusted. Do you see an endocrinologist? First, old or new doctor I would highly recommend asking about their philosophy treating levels versus symptoms. Not all doctors are willing to look past blood levels. Some only worry about T4 levels and don’t pay attention to T3 levels. Good luck I hope you are doing better soon! |
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,382
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Nov 5, 2020 3:17:19 GMT
I’m on thyroid meds now. My fingernails are brittle, my hair is still falling out, my skin is always super dry, I feel like these should be better if my meds are right. I agree, I’d say your levels need to be adjusted. Do you see an endocrinologist? First, old or new doctor I would highly recommend asking about their philosophy treating levels versus symptoms. Not all doctors are willing to look past blood levels. Some only worry about T4 levels and don’t pay attention to T3 levels. Good luck I hope you are doing better soon! Thanks. I’ve been trying to get in to see my family doc but their office was flooded and they’ve been closed for weeks. I’m going to try again tomorrow. I heard they temporarily relocated until their office is done. |
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Post by mymindseyedpea on Nov 5, 2020 10:07:21 GMT
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Post by gypsymama on Nov 5, 2020 10:48:19 GMT
chronically exhausted... i have arthritis, psoriasis, fibromyalgia... and yep, had Mono... in junior high. i really feel like i haven't been the same since. I know i wouldn't be the same as i was when i was 12, but i think my fellow mono people know what i mean. had one doc tell me i have fibro, every doc since then either acts like they didn't hear me, tells me they don't believe in it, or tells me once my anti depressants work right i'll be fine. i take all the meds they give me, get regular bloodwork and i'm just tired... this year with corona and trump etc... has not helped but i was exhausted long before this. hope you can figure out something that helps you!
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Post by cindyupnorth on Nov 5, 2020 18:39:39 GMT
No, it’s not just you, I feel you. Personally I’d check my thyroid (and in range isn’t necessarily optimal for you so go by symptoms), anemia (maybe aim for even better levels), go for a higher Vitamin-D level unless you are in the high range, and get a sleep study done. That’d be my first priority. Fish oil is good to take at night, as is magnesium IIRC. Zebra-type things to look for would be fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome. They’re fairly similar but fibro has a larger pain component. Is thinking too much an issue, do you lay down and can’t turn off your brain? Depression, anxiety, mania can all have a big impact on your sleep. I’m sorry, I have a combo of many of these and I know it’s miserable. What I wouldn’t give to wake up one morning with even a glimpse of energy! Nope. I defeintly do not have Fibro, or CFS. I have just general body, in my 50s ,work a full time job aches and pains. |
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Post by cindyupnorth on Nov 5, 2020 18:41:21 GMT
Don’t laugh or think I am being stupid when I ask this...do you get dreams when you sleep? Dreams that are lengthy? Dreams that you remember? I have thyroid issues, always low on b-12 and vitamin D and all that jazz. Even with taking medication and even when my levels are “normal”, I used to feel always tired. I have insomnia or I am just tired all the time. So I started keeping track of my sleep patterns (without getting a sleep test). I noticed that the days I sleep good and wake up not so tired are the days when I have nice long dreams that I even remember when I wake up. May be because that means I am getting good REM sleep those days. I am just throwing this there because I feel shitty most days due to my health issues. Yep, I do have dreams, and long ones that I remember. There are certainly some nights I don't, but in general, I would say I do. |
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Post by cindyupnorth on Nov 5, 2020 18:42:41 GMT
If a sleep study is not an option right now, a simple way to track your sleep is with a Fitbit. It's been eye opening for both DH & I to at least have a look at how much time is spent in REM, deep and light sleep and how often we are awake during the night That's a good idea. I got my dd's fitbits for cmas. I could probably borrow one of them for a wk. It would be interesting. |
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Post by cindyupnorth on Nov 5, 2020 18:44:04 GMT
Have you checked into chemical sensitivities? What kind of personal care items do you use? Do they contain toxins? What kind of things are you surrounded by at home? Some people for example cannot tolerate the odor and VOC's emitted by carpet. Engineered wood and luxury plank tiles also emit VOCs. Paint, same thing. Some people find that they feel much better after their mercury fillings are removed. Basically , there could be soooo many reasons for your issues. I'm one of those people who research everything I bring into my home. I try to balance cost vs safety. I can't always afford the best option but I try to limit chemicals where I can No, have not looked in to that at all. I do have hayfever, but that's about it for allergies. I'm not overally sensitive to things. |
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Post by cindyupnorth on Nov 5, 2020 18:45:23 GMT
My husband just talked to his doctor about a sleep study. The cost is about $4000 and they want the part that won't be paid by insurance paid up front. cindyupnorth have you had your iron levels checked? Yep. My prev internal med Dr was really good, and she tested me out on like everything. This was when I was having anemia, so she ran all the tests. yea, 4000$, So I would be paying like 2,000$ out of pocket for something like that. |
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Post by cindyupnorth on Nov 5, 2020 18:47:35 GMT
chronically exhausted... i have arthritis, psoriasis, fibromyalgia... and yep, had Mono... in junior high. i really feel like i haven't been the same since. I know i wouldn't be the same as i was when i was 12, but i think my fellow mono people know what i mean. had one doc tell me i have fibro, every doc since then either acts like they didn't hear me, tells me they don't believe in it, or tells me once my anti depressants work right i'll be fine. i take all the meds they give me, get regular bloodwork and i'm just tired... this year with corona and trump etc... has not helped but i was exhausted long before this. hope you can figure out something that helps you! I have to admit, I'm not a fan of the fibro dx. I feel it's a garbage can dx. something Dr's just label you with. It's often more a chronic pain issue, or mental health issue. |
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Post by dewryce on Nov 5, 2020 20:03:21 GMT
chronically exhausted... i have arthritis, psoriasis, fibromyalgia... and yep, had Mono... in junior high. i really feel like i haven't been the same since. I know i wouldn't be the same as i was when i was 12, but i think my fellow mono people know what i mean. had one doc tell me i have fibro, every doc since then either acts like they didn't hear me, tells me they don't believe in it, or tells me once my anti depressants work right i'll be fine. i take all the meds they give me, get regular bloodwork and i'm just tired... this year with corona and trump etc... has not helped but i was exhausted long before this. hope you can figure out something that helps you! Darlin‘ have you seen a rheumatologist? There are some that aren’t great about fibro, but it would be so worth it for you to find one that is. No doctor should be dismissive of your health condition! |
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Post by gypsymama on Nov 5, 2020 22:35:07 GMT
chronically exhausted... i have arthritis, psoriasis, fibromyalgia... and yep, had Mono... in junior high. i really feel like i haven't been the same since. I know i wouldn't be the same as i was when i was 12, but i think my fellow mono people know what i mean. had one doc tell me i have fibro, every doc since then either acts like they didn't hear me, tells me they don't believe in it, or tells me once my anti depressants work right i'll be fine. i take all the meds they give me, get regular bloodwork and i'm just tired... this year with corona and trump etc... has not helped but i was exhausted long before this. hope you can figure out something that helps you! Darlin‘ have you seen a rheumatologist? There are some that aren’t great about fibro, but it would be so worth it for you to find one that is. No doctor should be dismissive of your health condition! I have... he gave me arthritis meds. i guess i'm just so used to being tired that i don't think about it that much |
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Post by dewryce on Nov 5, 2020 22:47:08 GMT
There are medications that can help a little with the fibro pain. And some vitamins as well. For example, magnesium can help with muscle pain, and my Dr also recommended CoQ10. I hope you’re able to find someone that can help!
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Post by Miss Lerins Momma on Nov 6, 2020 1:50:15 GMT
Have you ever had a sleep study done? You may have sleep apnea
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