What is wrong with me?

[mummydinosaurRawr]

Something isn't right, I don't feel like "me" anymore. I don't know what is wrong though, so I don't know which direction to turn for help.

I'm exhausted. Not just tired but really wrung out, running on empty for too long exhausted. I'm tired even if I get a good night's sleep, I'm tired even if I nap. If I try to keep going when I'm tired then I feel dizzy and faint.

My thoughts feel slow and sluggish, it's like my brain is foggy. It takes longer to concentrate, I've lost confidence in my own decision making, I doubt myself constantly.

This isn't new, it has come in waves for the last 3 years. There isn't a time when I feel as energetic as I think I should, but there are definitely some patches that are better than others. It's easy to dismiss tiredness at the moment (baby doesn't sleep well, I'm still getting up multiple times every night) but I don't think it's that simple, and the problems started before pregnancy.

I've been to the GP a few times over the last few years, they send me for blood tests and a few times they've prescribed iron tablets and/or folic acid. The iron tablets help a bit, they don't bring me back up to normal but it's a bit of an improvement. I'm not on anything at the moment but could feel another big droop in energy levels so I got back in touch with the GP. I was sent for blood tests, called for my results this morning and was told that I'm fine, all normal. No further action. Now I don't dispute that the blood results might be normal, but I'm not fine, I feel utterly broken.

This isn't just feeling tired, it's affecting everything. I haven't got the energy to do most of the things that I should do, I am managing the bare minimum each day and it's not fair to my children. This doesn't feel like me, I don't want to be like this. I was a hard working, busy, proactive person, I did things, I loved a challenge and an adventure, now I need to sit down in the shower.

I don't want to be a massive hypochondriac, and I hate admitting defeat, or asking for help. But this isn't normal is it? I can't be a good mum like this, it's not fair on the children. What do I do?

Hi no I had to specially request a b12 test as it wasn’t automatic. The b12 injections made a big difference to me.

You can actually pay for b12 injections if desperate as they are given in therapeutic settings sometimes.

Are you celiac or sensitive to gluten op?

www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-cfs/

I have no medical training but my best friend has a diagnosis of CFS and there seems to be some similarities in your symptoms. Might be worth discussing with the GP.

I’m exactly the same! I’m 40 this year and been suffering for years! I’ve had all the tests time and time again , came back ok, done home blood tests they came back ok, changed diet and taken supplements nothing has helped! I don’t have kids or a particularly stressful life so I’m not exhausted and I don’t suffer with anxiety.

I’m so glad other people suffer with this I thought it was all in my mind! I run my own business so as well as sleeping at night i sleep in the daytime too , I don’t know how I would cope if I had to go into a workplace! I’ve been WFH for years so I suppose I’m lucky I’m that respect but it truly is ruining my life and knowing there appears to be nothing medically wrong with me is really upsetting

Not read the full thread but have you looked at thyroid or autoimmune? Blood results can vary when they are done.

Ask your gp to look into these.

Your symptoms sound like classic autoimmune problems. I have autoimmune problems, I’d been having symptoms for years but they got really bad after last baby. There are groups in facebook if you search autoimmune, you can read other peoples stories and see if they sound familiar.

The problem with autoimmune is they can take years to diagnose and there are over 100 different types. You can’t cure them but they can be managed.

Good luck x

I could have written the OP. I have exactly the same symptoms and have done for 20+ years (I'm now mid-40s and can blame peri but this started long ago). I've never been anaemia when tested but have had low ferritin stores. Iron supplements help a bit but I still don't feel right.

I've recently started taking a vit D plus K spray which has boosted my energy levels a bit. However I think the route is probably hormonal - there is definitely a monthly pattern to my energy levels. I also suspect I have endo (painful, heavy periods, needed ivf to get pregnant) and I know that is linked to fatigue.

Sounds like my Fibromyalgia

Recommend that those with cold extremities and / or intermittent pins and needles in your lower arms and hands, brain fog, exhaustion, poor sleep, mood and/ or concentration google Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (an auto-immune disease) to read about its debilitating symptoms and how to manage them with diet and a range of medications, which are not always available on the NHS unfortunately (but that is another story!). Izabella Wentz has written extensively on this subject. It is also worth visiting thyroiduk.org/and looking at the related Thyroid UK sections of www.healthunlocked.com .

Even when test results apparently deem your thyroid function is within the "normal" range, you still may not feel right. Thyroid tests should only be run first thing in the morning and on an empty stomach (ie water only). You should also stop taking any biotin-based vitamin supplements (eg Viviscal and Perfectil) 7 days before your test and any existing thyroid medication 12 hours before the test. Otherwise, your test results will be skewed.

Many UK GPs and endocrinologists also think that the best way to treat an under-active thyroid is with levythyroxine and not everyone gets on with this medication. Some research is now indicating that this could be for genetic reasons . (Recommend that you only read this article when brain fog symptoms are limited! paulrobinsonthyroid.com/dio1-and-dio2-gene-defects-and-testing-them-for-thyroid-patients-with-suspected-t4-to-t3-conversion-issues/ .)

More generally (ie beyond thyroid issues), Lara Briden's Hormone Repair Manual may also be useful starting point.

Good luck!

Recommend that those with cold extremities and / or intermittent pins and needles in your lower arms and hands, brain fog, exhaustion, poor sleep, mood and/ or concentration google Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (an auto-immune disease) to read about its debilitating symptoms and how to manage them with diet and a range of medications, which are not always available on the NHS unfortunately (but that is another story!). Izabella Wentz has written extensively on this subject. It is also worth visiting thyroiduk.org/and looking at the related Thyroid UK sections of www.healthunlocked.com .

Even when test results apparently deem your thyroid function is within the "normal" range, you still may not feel right. Thyroid tests should only be run first thing in the morning and on an empty stomach (ie water only). You should also stop taking any biotin-based vitamin supplements (eg Viviscal and Perfectil) 7 days before your test and any existing thyroid medication 12 hours before the test. Otherwise, your test results will be skewed.

Many UK GPs and endocrinologists also think that the best way to treat an under-active thyroid is with levythyroxine and not everyone gets on with this medication. Some research is now indicating that this could be for genetic reasons . (Recommend that you only read this article when brain fog symptoms are limited! paulrobinsonthyroid.com/dio1-and-dio2-gene-defects-and-testing-them-for-thyroid-patients-with-suspected-t4-to-t3-conversion-issues/ .)

More generally (ie beyond thyroid issues), Lara Briden's Hormone Repair Manual may also be useful starting point.

Good luck!

Definitely worth getting all the levels checked and maybe start taking some vitamin D anyway
Also worth considering sleep apnoea
but check the Epworth Sleep Score too.