to be envious of those with energy and wonder where mine went.

[sarahsarah34]

I feel permanently exhausted. I go about my life in auto pilot but feel very vacant. I never wake up feeling refreshed in fact I'm not sure I have ever been refreshed. I don't feel depressed I just don't feel much at all.

I work full time but that saps all of my energy so my social life has vanished a bit. My house is in reasonable order and things get done I just have no desire to do above that ever. I have a mini battle every morning to leave my bed and don't wake up naturally really. I set an alarm even on my days off or I waste the day sleeping. Nothing awful has happened to trigger this but I am quite bored of it all now. I feel envious with those chirpy morning people who have full on lives and don't seem worn down!

I know most people will scoff at this, but google 'Soul Loss' and see if this resonates. I was exactly as you describe and came across it online, purely by accident. I was so sick of feeling so 'empty', tired, and unable to be bothered. I decided I had nothing to lose by giving it a try, so I found a local shamanic practitioner and had soul retrieval. It really gave me my life back, the difference is amazing!

suntzu - will you tell us more? That sounds weird, but I'd try anything at this stage.

I was the same until recently - my case was a bit radical (a rare disease which stops the body absorbing nutrients) so it is unlikely to be that but I think the digestive system / gut plays a bigger part than we all realize.
Not sure what to suggest but perhaps take pro-biotics, cut down sugar etc…

Slippery, why be warned? Your depression sounds awful but lethargy absolutely is a symptom too

You could try the Whole30. I've just doNe a month and feel amazing!

That's where I got to! I was just so sick of my non existent life. I was desperate to back to my old self. I had no energy, no interest in life, and generally numb, no feelings. Everything was too much effort. Having been through depression and anxiety previously I knew it was completely different. There was no obvious reason for it either. Like I say, I came across soul loss online by accident, then did a lot more reading and research. Eventually I found a local practitioner and went for it. I didn't really know what to expect, but afterwards I felt really happy and calm. The following days were a little strange, as instead of the usual feeling of being slightly detached/vacant, I felt very 'present, which is hard to describe. I have so much more energy, the normal everyday tasks that seemed so overwhelming are done without a second thought, and the best bit is I spontaneously gave up alcohol and started looking after myself in terms of diet and exercise which was a totally unexpected result! I appreciate it is not a standard answer but it really worked for me, and I went with an open mind.

I have am currently on anti-depressants. Thought I'd see if they made any difference after a month no difference so doctor said I needed a bit longer. I've been on them 6 months now and feel no different so think I can rule that out (unless the tablets are rubbing).

I do feel a bit soul less, looks interesting . What did it involve? I am just so knackered I feel like screaming at my bubbly, bright eyed colleagues who actually go out most nights and still have spark!

Do go back to your GP and ask them to run some blood tests. I am knackered too and have had tests for iron, vit B12, thyroid, vit D, among other things. (I've lost track a bit, I've had a lot of tests)

Hope you feel better soon

MrPorky, only that there's nothing more piss irritating than to have a medico do the "do you think you might be depressed?" head tilt thing when you know damn well you're not - at least, not this time. There's a difference between lethargy and exhaustion.

I had this at 28 y.o. and after a bit of a medical runaround it turned out to be an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). As PPs have said, please get a full set of blood tests done.

Just coming back to this thread because I've noticed something that's surprised me, and it may be true for others who struggle with really debilitating fatigue.

I had a burst of energy last week, like I haven't had in years. I deep cleaned half the house, decluttered and got loads of freelance work done by working into the night (I normally can't function after 7pm, beyond watching TV.)

The difference was that I wasn't drinking. I drink very little. But I do normally have one small (125ml) glass of rose a night on weekdays with dinner, and two or sometimes (not often) three at weekends and social functions.

Two nights ago we went out to celebrate something and I had one beer. Yesterday I was shattered again. So last night I didn't drink anything and today I'm bursting with energy - the kind I've not had for about five years.

One small glass of wine or beer a day isn't usually linked to fatigue, but I'm sure that's been one of the major causes for me, so I'm cutting out alcohol now except for parties.

Anyone know anything about this, or had similar experience? It feels like such a revelation to me. Like getting my personality back. Life had felt a bit fogged for years. On one small glass of wine a night.

A lot is explained if OP is dealing with depression.
I hate blood tests so would go straight to buy iron supplements myself.

Thanks suntzu It sounds fascinating. An old friend of mine is a shamanic healer. I will ask her about it.

MrsMolesworth, you might be very sensitive to sulphites, which are in wine & beer. That could explain it.

Glad you have had a bit more energy.

beryl thank you. That's interesting. had no idea about that.