To bother a GP with this

[Vilt]

I am exhausted ALL the time, for no reason that I can think of. I am also very depressed. But I can't tell if I'm depressed because I'm exhausted all the time or I feel exhausted all the time because I'm depressed. I can't remember which came first. Because I'm exhausted and depressed.

Also, not sure if this is related but I have had a period continuously for coming up 4 weeks now. Usually they last 2/3 days. I am 49 so could be peri menopause or plain old menopause.

Not sure if I just need to suck it up.

I think you should see your GP.

None of that is normal. Absolutely see your GP for it. Investigating stuff like this, and getting you on the path to feeling better is what they are there for.

Thank you so much for replying.

It's helpful to hear that it's not unreasonable to take up their time with this. I think being depressed makes it hard to think clearly.

Definitely see your GP. You could probably do with some blood tests as well!

GP job for sure. You're bound to be anaemic and that totally wipes you out. Wishing you well.

Absolutely that's not bothering the GP. Sorry to hear this. How's the iron in your diet?

When I went with similar symptoms, it turned out that I was horribly deficient in B12 and had to have injections to bring my levels up.

I had similar, turned out to have hypothyroidism and severe anaemia.

Word for word, what tiredmum wrote!

Thank you so much everyone. I will call tomorrow to get an appt

Exhaustion, depression and erratic/irregular periods (something your four week long menses definitely is) are all symptoms of perimenopause, so that's definitely a contributing factor.

Definitely see your GP. Just tell them what you told us

Absolutely

Thyroid. B12. Low iron.

There's tons of reasons you could feel the way you do medically.

please see GP asap and do lead with fact that you have had a period for 4 wks, absolutely needs investigating ,make sure you tell the receptionist this when they ask you why you want a consultation....no wonder you are fatigued (I never recommend leading a discussion of symptoms that include significant physical problems with depression!) you are absolutely not wasting their time and it shows that you aren't in the best frame of mind.

Do see your GP. Also are you having treatment for your depression?

@Vilt I'm so glad you posted this - I've been struggling for a couple of months now with extreme exhaustion and, like you, couldn't work out if I was tired because I'm depressed or depressed because I'm tired. I also have been putting off 'bothering' a GP but due to the comments on this thread, am rethinking this. I'm grieving the loss of my best friend and partner since he died in November so wasn't sure if that also had something to do with it. I'm 54 and still having regular periods. Just dont want to be dismissed with 'oh its definitely peri menopause at your age - heres some HRT' without having tests to rule out everything else.

My first thought was hypothyroidism (I really hope it isn't, for your sake). Likely low iron, all could be to do with menopause. B12 supplements could help you in the meantime, you can get some OTC. YANBU to see GP, please look after yourself x

I felt like this a few years ago and I was deficient a vitamin. D maybe? Had high dose tablets and improved massively.

Definitely go.

I kept putting off going to doctors because I thought it was just anemia again and didn't want to bug them (during lock down) got to the point where I couldn't cope so finally went, had a blood test and was diagnosed with a auto immune disorder, I was stupid to not go in the first place and just made myself worse, and ended up on strong medication that might have been avoided or atleast lessened if I'd have gone in earlier. Lesson learned!

I had this a couple of months ago and blood tests showed iron, vitamin d and b deficiency. My mood is starting to lift now that I’ve been taking the tablets.
hopefully yours is an easy fix too, definitely make an appointment.

Menopause is classed as not having had periods for a year, I expect it could be peri menopause related as well as potentially everything else pp have suggested. Have you tried HRT? As that can help with all those symptoms plus protect you from dementia and osteoporosis and cardiovascular issues later on in life. If you haven’t already then have a look at Dr Louise Newsome’s website and Davina’s book. It’s enlightening.