I am thinking about seeing the GP but would appreciate input in case it is so obvious what is wrong and so I don't make a fool of myself at the surgery.

[TheOriginalFAB]

Me - female, age 39 years.

Problem - almost constant tiredness which I have had for years. Some nights I find it hard to drop off and don't wake up rested, sometimes due to very vivid dreams. Weight gain of 1 stone since my baby was 2 months old (almost 6 years ago) and the same few pounds coming off and going on no matter what I do.

Blood pressure - very low.

Blood glucose - okay.

Blood tests for thyroid - normal according to GP, not bothered that two tests were done in 10 days making one normal and one a problem.

I also have migraines and fibromyalgia.

I am on duloxetine and amitryptaline as well as taking some vitamins.

I don't drink or smoke.

Whenever I have had blood tests they have always come back normal.

FAB, ask for a neurologist.

FAB - Are your fibro symptoms active right now? Because what you're describing to me is when my fibro flares up -- which it is doing as I write this. Fatigue, aching limbs, feeling like I've run a marathon in my sleep, headaches. Stress related for me. I'm walking 3 miles a day: I've found exercise, and yoga, can make a dramatic difference.

Just my 2c.

Hope you feel better soon fab

I had bad pain in my arm last night which I hadn't had for a couple of days. I feel fine in the morning and get things done and then flake out after lunch. I was up at 5.30 this morning to get DS1 to school and definitely plan on a nap later. My bottom eye lid is still flickering and I can see it in the mirror but I am not worried I am really ill, just fed up of feeling 99 instead of 39.

Thanks for the good wishes for feeling better.

Sorry, FAB, didn't mean to imply that there's anything wrong with anti-d's. It's just that taking 2 different types can have some nasty effects and that a medication review should hopefully mean you can take fewer tablets with fewer side effects

I don't know what your diet's like, but I find reducing the amount of ingredients (especially chemical additives) that go in my food help with my anxiety and depression. Lots of cooking from scratch which can be a bugger, but stuff like porridge, raw veg, fruit, rice cakes instead of bread blah blah is pretty easy

Mind you, I've just gone drug free (3rd week ) and am only coping by doing lots of exercise to get the endorphins going! I'm not sure if that would work for fibromyalgia...

Purple - I know you didn't .

I am quite fussy about cooking and cook 99% of all we eat from scratch. The raw vegetables sound nice but I only can think of mushrooms and carrots that I can eat raw. Maybe cauliflower too.

Peas are awesome raw! Especialy grown yourself (i have a balcony and lots of pots and a dp who likes running round with the watering can every day!)

Nuts, seeds, dried fruit?? I'm hopeless at snacking so find it easier to sprinkle on cereal for breakfast.

I do love my chocolate, and pizza, and biscuits... But they only make me feel better for about 10 minutes. Healthy stuff doesn't give me the buzz, but it makes me more stable iyswim?

happy dances because its youth club tonight which means i can have chocolate

I love roasted and salted cashews but suspect they would put weight on me. When I had my blood pressure done I was told to eat more salt (I only eat it when hidden in food as don't ever use it) so maybe I can allow myself some nuts now and then .

That sounds like very dodgy advice to me, and would take it with a pinch of, well, salt...

i meant the unsalted variety you get in health food shops fairly cheaply, btw mmmmmm honey roasted cashews, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries/blueberries etc chuck 'em in a yoghurt and call it pudding

I must say I was very surprised too.

I will ask my GP next week when I see him.

I have very low blood pressure and looked into this. Unfortunately studies show that eating salt does not raise your blood pressure unless you already have high blood pressure. In fact there are some groups whose blood pressure high or not, is unaffected by salt. You really need to make sure you get referred to a hormone specialist and a neurologist. And do not let them give you medicine without completely understanding what it does and what the side effects are and make sure you let them know what you are taking already and ASK if it will interfere. Don't assume they will have made themselves familiar with your notes or really paid attention to what you are already taking. Even here in the usa where doctors are under much stronger threat of malpractice lawsuits, I find I have to do this.

I tried it (under medical supervision) in 1996 for 6 months or so

It had no effect at all & it tasted horrid

It isn't really what I want to do but I feel it is only a matter of time before I actually go dizzy and out cold.

FAB if you have fibromyalgia, there is a big overlap with CFS/ME - this would explain your fatigue and also your normal blood test results. If you are getting up at 5.30 to get your DD to school, I'm sure that won't help. Slowing down a bit might help. Is there a different GP at the practice you could see?

Getting up so early was a one off. I find it hard to go to sleep some nights and have to take tablets twice a week to help that. The hospital doctor felt my dreams are so vivid I am not getting proper sleep. I take 1/2 a tablet each time and he said to take a whole one if it doesn't work. I have started having the dreams again on the tablet nights but am a bit scared to take a whole tablet.

There isn't another GP surgery as tbh we are on our 3rd one after negligence with our children.

I am hoping the GP next week can help as I haven't seen him before for this. I once saw another GP to get blood results than the one who had ordered them and he was not happy I did that. I told him I did it as I had to wait 3 weeks to see the original doctor. Somehow he got me an earlier appointment. I hope the GP next week doesn't feel the same.

You're entitled to see whoever you want. If you don't want to see the original doctor, you don't have to! I've seen about 5 different Dr's since I changed surgery this time last year, the receptionist ticks me off a bit (she's very nice) but we can't help it because I work shifts. I just make sure I know, and often write down, what the relevant information is. You can also ask for a double appointment, so that you have time to fully discuss your concerns. You're entitled to a second opinion too, so original doc has no right to get stroppy unless he thinks he's screwed up!

These are all rights, by the way, and are in a code of practice somewhere

looking at the dose of amitryptiline you're on, I would say its for pain not as an AD. My DD has CFS/ME and is on the same dose of nortryptiline (similar) as the ami didn't agree with her for pain. She also had terrible sleeping problems and melatonin was prescribed by her consultant at the time and has been very effective. GPs can be funny about prescribing it though.

I told my original GP that I didn't know why the hospital doctor had changed my AD's and he said he didn't either.

GP number 2 is the one who ordered blood tests and didn't mind that I had seen someone else as I could see them quicker.

GP number 3 was the one who told me off and who I haven't ever had a good appointment with.

GP number 4 was fantastic with DD which is why I wanted to see him. I have booked a double appointment to discuss my constant tiredness and breast changes.

1 is a knobend who should have found out, or got you onto something that actually works!

2, meh...

3 make sure you don't see that twunt again

4 Hope he's as good with grown-ups as kids

Good luck!

Thank you.

How are you feeling FAB?

Hi KatyMac,

I currently have a throat that feels like it has razor blades in it which is making talking difficult.

Been to GP today. Told to take tablets every night for 2 weeks and then cut down. Have to go for a breast scan too.

How are you?

Tired

Tired & achy

Tired achy & pissed off

Nothing changes really, I tried some B12 supplements - but I felt awful when I missed one, much worse than normal; so I stopped taking them

But I'm wondering if I should start again

I take agnus castus and notice when I have missed a few so I understand. It is a bummer when you feel grotty. I am looking forward to tomorrow when the kids are going to my PIL and I can have some peace to clean the house.