Pain/ exhaustion - advice please...

[Katkins1]

Hi wondered if I could ask for some advice please? For the past 7/8 months I've had severe exhaustion, being sick in the morning, muscle cramps, joint pain, migranes and fever or hot/ cold feelings. I also have fatigue when I do anything, and have problems sleeping. The worst of it is the muscle pain and aches, because the pain is so severe (and gets worse after doing something) and my inability to get up- because I physcially can't. I had a 2 month long psychotic episode, and am recovering so have severe depression. Last two weeks I've had a sore throat intermitently, and flu like symptoms. I thought I had glandular fever. My pain has been so bad that I've not been able to lift my arms, the hoover, or do anything. I also had problems with my periods and migranes that caused vomiting, now I get headaches. The pain is mostly in my arms and legs. I've had it before my psychotic episode and after. I find that if I do something one day or too much in the day then I get very, very tired. I'm also really really pale without make up, and even with it, washed out. I thought it was just tiredness and even the home care team during my episode said I looked exhausted. I'm on an anti depressant that doesn't usually cause these side effects. I had blood tests during my psychotic episode, and they came back clear. My CPN is puttting it down to depression and saying it's psychosomatic, but I'm not so sure.....I did some research in to it because the pain is so severe today (went out last night) that I was thinking I wanted to die and it said a few different things- one of which was ME. A few people have suggested this over time, does anyone have experience of it and can they relate? I think it might be linked to stressors and my mental health, but it feels different. I can't cope with the pain anymore, I'm a Single Mum to a 6 year old and I'm trying to recover as best as I can from psychosis: but I think there might be something else going on as it's been before the episode and after. I'd appreciate any advice or insight as its dragging me down and I want to take painkillers (not to do anything with just for the generalised pain) but I know it won't make a difference.... sorry it's so long and thank you for reading.

[Katkins1]

I'll have a look, thank you. I've been saying it a lot and always moaning about the muscle pains (intense during my episode), but the GP said I'm not better from my depression yet, so they are reluctant to do more bloods. Only I'm wondering if a stessor (bereavement, university final year, just finished) could have triggered something? It's the pain that I'm not sure about. I'm not sure it should be this intense with depression.

[Katkins1]

I've googled a bit of it- made me remeber that after the bereavement I used to go to bed cryning and say 'ouch' to mysef over and over because the pain was so intense. It does say that depression can produce similar symptoms. I get tingling/numbness and the sorest points are the back of my legs (hamstrings) and just inside my elbow- the join in my forearms; though I don't have any other tender spots.They seem to take the brunt of the pain. I get IBS too, but I thought that was just anxious/ depressed and calming down. I also get abdominal pains, pain in my wrists and neausea. It's a wonder I function at all!

[LadySybilLikesCake]

Hi, Kat.

Has your GP done some blood tests? Low Vitamin D levels can cause fatigue, weakness and pain.

I hope you get some answers, it sounds intolerable

[Katkins1]

I had bloods done as part of home treatment, they said a check for everything - iron levels , Vit D , clotting that sort of thing..all came back fine. That was 3 weeks ago, I've had this for about 6 months. It didn't feel 'that bad' before but post doing anything makes the pain worse, and being told it's psychosomatic isn't helpful.

[LadySybilLikesCake]

I think you need to ask for a rheumatology referral. I'm shocked they are saying it's psychosomatic, it's probably because they don't have a clue.

Poor sleep can have a knock on effect as it makes you exhausted during the day, so you sleep, then you don't sleep well at night. It's a vicious cycle which just keeps going round and around. I know it's tough, but try to limit the amount of sleep you have during the day, it should improve the quality of sleep you have at night so it will help.

[Katkins1]

I don't sleep in the day, I have a 6 year old :) I don't think they will refer me, but will try.

[LadySybilLikesCake]

Fingers crossed. It may be worth while trying some vitamin D, zinc and magnesium supplements anyway, just incase they do help.

[Katkins1]

Thank you for the advice. I hope they take me seriously.

[temporaryusername]

Katkins, I'm sorry. I know what it is like to have chronic widespread pain, and it wears you down so much. I wonder if you could put it to your GP that, if there is something more going on then you are not going to be able to recover mentally so well while you're in this pain. Also, a rheumatologist can help with what painkillers may help - it may be that something like Gabapentin or Pregabalin would as they are often used for pain now. Your GP won't have the same expertise to advise.

[Katkins1]

It's so frustrating as they might say it's depression, and it could well be. It's agonising though.

[temporaryusername]

Even if pain is related to depression that doesn't mean it can't be treated - pain signals can be sent from the brain and be real pain even without an obvious external cause. That kind of pain should still be treated - maybe with advice from specialist re drugs like the ones I mentioned above. Don't let them fob you off - tell them yes it may be depression related but a)that could still be treated and b)given the effects on your life you need that to be investigated. I get so arrghhh on here about doctors stonewalling people!!!

I am sorry though. Really hope tomorrow is a better day for you

[Katkins1]

Thank you. I have been crying with the pain today, it's do intense. Even the cat kneading her paws on me is agonising. I don't know what to do though.

[jayney86]

Could be worth having your thyroid checked too. I know of someone who became very depressed & paranoid when their thyroid was severely under active. Hope you get some more sympathetic help soon. Xx

[RockinD]

Yes to getting thyroid checked. More common a cause of psychiatric issues than one might think.

Tests to ask for: TSH, FT4, FT3, TgAB, full iron panel, ferritin, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D.

It's low T3 levels that cause the muscle and joint pain of fibromyalgia.

[Katkins1]

Thank you so much for the replies and suggestions. I will be visiting the Gp soon.