I cancel plans, fail to show up, don’t answer emails, never call. The first 3 are all new for me and concentrated in the past 3 years. [I've never been a phone person. I could explain the possible neurotic genesis of that but it would be really boring.]
Since about early 2005, I’ve had a steadily-worsening fatigue problem. From day-long episodes to week-long episodes to month-long episodes to the current one which has lasted most of this year and gotten worse in stages. Nothing helps, not sleep, not liquid B-vitamins, not rest, not meditation or yoga or exercise—if I walk 6 blocks in one day, it takes a few days to recover, days when I do everything from bed, or do next to nothing while in bed, or drag myself through my obligations on the verge of tears. All tests normal and clear. But if I do 5 things in one day, in or out of the house, I feel it all week.
I need to get in bed right now.
And I haven’t gotten to the whole pain thing.
I’ve been lurking for a while now but want to suggest taking a look at http://www.chronicbabe.com. It’s not so much a site about how to get better or heal, but more a site about how to live the fullest life you can while you battle a chronic illness. Run by Jenni Prokopy who is one of the most positive and affirming people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.
Cinnamon, thank you so much. I’m going there now.
YOU don’t suck. Sounds like your body is sucking the you out of you. Dammit, dammit. If only some sort of test could cut through all the bullcrap you’re enduring right now. ((((((hugs))))))
I know this is a shot in the dark, but have you had your b12 levels tested? If you’re taking supplements you won’t get an accurate result so don’t bother.
The reason I ask is that about 10 years ago I had horrendous fatigue but I wasn’t depressed. I wanted to do things, I just couldn’t. I didn’t have the energy. Dr. did all kinds of blood tests, told me nothing was wrong. Finally I was telling my psychiatrist about it and he remembered seeing someone while he was a resident that had similar symptoms. He ordered b12 testing and mine was EXTREMELY low, scary low. But I wasn’t anemic. That was a red herring because not everyone that is b12 deficient is anemic.
Anyway, started on b12 shots and I felt like a new woman. There is something in my body chemistry that doesn’t allow me absorb enough b12 through digestion or sublinguals alone.
In the years since, I’ve learned that b12 deficiency is extremely common and seriously underdiagnosed. I can point you toward more information if you like.
This thought didn’t occur to me until reading your post tonight because I didn’t realize you have debilitating fatigue as well as insomnia. I know you’ve had lots of people suggest lots of ideas to you, but I would feel bad if I didn’t mention it.
{{{{Big but gentle hugs}}}}
If you haven’t had your heart checked out, you should do so. That’s the way I felt when I was heading into CHF.
Breny B and Greg, thanks. I’ll follow up on both.
My internist is now referring me to specialists, one at a time to see if we can figure this out. I see one at the end of the month [and lucky I got an appointment so soon]. If that doesn’t do it, I move on to the next….
And thanks. I’ve been keeping this under wraps and forcing myself through the days and just can’t anymore.