I feel so unwell all the time

[Fern2]

I am 34 years old. Work full time. Never had children. And for the past 5-10 years I spend most of the time feeling unwell. Probably about 60-70% of the time, in bouts of up to 5 days at a time.

I have no quality of life anymore and doctors don't listen to me. Sometimes i've read about things and think 'Wow, that could be it!' but then I go to the doctor, have the tests, and apparently all is 'normal'. Some blood tests are so variable that on one occasion, something is off, but the next time, its fine although there's been no treatment.

When I say I feel ill, its a feeling of not being 'with it'. Of having a fuzzy head, tiredness, dizziness. Achy muscles. Exhaustion but i've slept fine. Like when I speak sometimes I know I can't be making much sense at its worst. Nobody has ever said they notice, but I wonder if I come across a bit strange in the way I am, because of how I feel. It seems to be worse at work, when i'm up and walking about the most. I don't have pain as such but I don't have any energy and really have to push myself.

I do suffer from depression but I have reasons for it which is out of my control so a situation depression. I take anti depressants for this and have done for 15 years.

Tested for but don't have:
Thyroid Problems
Vitamin deficiency
Anemia or iron problems
Blood pressure problems
Basic female hormone problems (have a period every month)
Inner ear or balance problems

At this point i'm starting to say I want a brain scan to check there's nothing wrong with it.

Its just confusing that it isn't all the time that I feel so ill but it is more than would be normal. I don't work with any chemicals or anything which would make me have a dizzy feeling.

Yes likely an issue

From boots theres an iron water you can get - i suggest trying that

Daily strawberries and also dried apricots help iron
Also regular eggs
Iron rich cereal.
Iron rich meat

Following with interest. Sorry to hear you are still unwell, OP

That ferritin reading is seriously low, no wonder you feel rubbish. What's your iron and haemoglobin do you know OP?

Are you vegetarian, op?

I'd seriously up your iron intake

I’d say absolutely yes, based on my own experience. It could be a factor and wouldn’t hurt to get those levels up and see if it makes a difference.

i really really rate Spatone over supplements (the drink). It’s not cheap but worth it I think.

Haven't read everything.
But get tested for coeliac disease. It doesn't always mean stomach or bowel issues. It can mean lack of energy/ pains etc. I am gluten intolerant and have absolutely no stomach stuff..
It's definitely worth checking out. Keep a food diary and see if your symptoms are worse after bread/ pasta/ cereal. Spoke to someone whose sister was diagnosed and so she had to be tested as it runs in families. She was positive she wasn't coeliac but the results said she was. After going on the diet she realised lots of pain she had endured in her body for years was gone.
A blood test isn't enough. You need to get a scope down into your tummy. Another told me she could never understand how she had no energy..thought she was lazy/ depressed and beating herself up only to discover..yes she was coeliac. Doesn't know herself now.

I was going to say I have heard depression can give those symptoms but then you said you have depression. Could it “ just” be that?

As other have suggested, CFS or fibromyalgia. Could also be lupus or Lyme disease. I hope you sort it out.

I bought spa tone but havent used it yet

Did it up your feretin number / did your body absorb it ok ?

I have cfs

Had ebv 2 years ago

My cfs was diagnosed by a private rheumatologist

Hi everyone,

After my results I posted in August, I took it upon myself to start buying Iron tablets (ferrous fumarate 210mg) over the counter at the pharmacy. I have struggled with constipation now and again but didn't want to give up, so have now been taking an iron tablet every morning with orange juice.

Within a couple of weeks, I was feeling great! Felt like I hadn't had that amount of energy for years! Finally things were getting done and I wasn't spending my days off lying about on the sofa due to lack of energy. I thought I was onto something...

Then about a week ago, I had the familiar few days of feeling really unwell. Brain fog, Muscle aches, Dizziness. At one point I was at work standing up and I thought I was going to pass out multiple times. The worse lasted for 5 days. And today I've felt so tired and achy, that despite having a nights sleep I've ended up lying on the sofa this afternoon.

I'm so sad as I started to think i'd cracked it but now i'm back to square one. Still taking the iron tablets every morning. My quality of life is terrible and has been for so long now.

Have u been tested for celiac ?

Have u had your b12 and vit d tested ?

I was going to suggest Lyme disease, but then also wanted to ask have you ever considered it’s the antidepressants? They can cause some very weird symptoms and side effects even after long term use, I know you say you can’t come off them but is it worth looking into changing the one you’re on or slightly altering your dose?

Keep going, I think the iron has helped me too. I started feeling like this again for the first time in weeks too. My period & a cold are to blame. Hoping when those both pass, I’ll go back to feeling great again. Could you be coming down with a cold?

i bet you need to take the iron for much longer until your stores are at maximum.

Could you be dehydrated?