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Original poster

Fatigue

23 replies

Absofsteel2 · 18/09/2023 16:38

Someone please give me some ideas on what to do about this fatigue. I'm tired all the time. I manage about 7hrs sleep a night.

Early nights just don't work for me. If I go to bed early I just lie there and end up getting to sleep later than usual.

I tend to get a ok night's sleep, sometimes I don't feel too dreadful in the morning but usually I'm just shattered all day. My hair falls out a lot, hard to know how much is normal though. I don't really brush my hair much so every hair wash produces a big handful of hair.

I work term time only so I was hoping that the summer would recharge my batteries but it hasn't worked this year.

I've started taking magnesium again which definitely helps me sleep better.

I do a fair amount of exercise - parkrun, yoga, pilates, walking in and out of work.

I'm on hrt. I've just given up dairy, too soon to tell the difference but my sinuses are much clearer. I take vit D spray, menopause vits ( but admittedly not very consistently).

Last blood tests in the spring / summer looked quite thorough, had nothing to report with iron, vit D , b12 etc.

I was tired for a year after having COVID, but felt better in January. It's all come crushing down again.

Please, any ideas on what to do.

OP posts:
LizzysDrippings · 18/09/2023 17:16

Last blood tests in the spring / summer looked quite thorough, had nothing to report with iron, vit D , b12 etc.

Get a copy of the results and look at the actual figures.
Ferritin under 70/80 can cause hair loss and fatigue but will be marked as normal as low as 15/20 depending on the labs reference ranges. vitamin B12 in the lower range of ‘normal’ can also cause fatigue and hair loss, as can vitamin D.
Did they check your thyroid at all?

Original poster
Absofsteel2 · 18/09/2023 17:28

Hi thanks so much for your reply. I always get a print out, so just got it out-
Serum ferritin levels 38.1 ug/L
Vit B12 436.0 Ng/L (211-911)
Vit D 77.9

Believe it or not, that is the highest I've ever seen my ferritin, it's usually 10-12 and I feel like shit and they tell me it's normal.

I used to take floridix but after a few months it upset my stomach so much I had to stop. My ferritin went up to 12!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Absofsteel2 · 18/09/2023 17:28

Hi thanks so much for your reply. I always get a print out, so just got it out-
Serum ferritin levels 38.1 ug/L
Vit B12 436.0 Ng/L (211-911)
Vit D 77.9

Believe it or not, that is the highest I've ever seen my ferritin, it's usually 10-12 and I feel like shit and they tell me it's normal.

I used to take floridix but after a few months it upset my stomach so much I had to stop. My ferritin went up to 12!!

OP posts:
lifeturnsonadime · 18/09/2023 17:30

Have you had your thyroid checked?

Original poster
Absofsteel2 · 18/09/2023 17:43

Thyroid wasn't checked last time but it definitely has been checked before and was apparently ok. The symptoms are very long term. I've also been checked for diabetes as I'm always thirsty as well.

OP posts:
MissisBoote · 18/09/2023 17:46

For starters, stop exercising where is raises your heart rate. If you're potentially for long covid, then additional activity is the last thing you want to be doing. For now just gentle stuff.
Sympathies - ongoing fatigue is an absolute ball ache.

Errolwasahero · 18/09/2023 18:32

Hi, sorry you’re going through this it’s rough! Have you considered/looked at ME/CFS? Levels can often look ‘normal’. Try not to push it when you feel fatigued, it can make you worse. It’s like you have only so many ‘spoons’ of energy and if you use them up you’re in deficit and your body can’t cope. Long covid has a lot of similarities and may well be the same thing.

LizzysDrippings · 18/09/2023 18:40

Try this type of iron, it has more bioavailability and apparently works better than prescribed ferrous fumerate.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08SKKL9TS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Maybe a couple of B12 injections (around £15 in salons/Beaty places) would give you a boost too, levels are set really low in the U.K. compared to other countries.

Not all magnesium is equal and, if you take a multivitamin, there are certain supplements in them that block absorption of magnesium so it’s best not to take within a couple of hours of each other.

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 18/09/2023 18:47

Fatigue is a really, really common symptom of long covid. It could be that, because yes it really can last months/years, in which case you need to rest, rest and rest some more. You cannot push yourself through it with exercise (and indeed that approach is likely to set you back). Nothing more than walking and gentle yoga.

Learning to meditate might help you sleep (the sort of moving your thoughts through your body and breathing relaxation into each part (called a 'body scan' in mindfulness courses)

Original poster
Absofsteel2 · 18/09/2023 22:13

I would say my symptoms predate having COVID. Not sure about ME/CFS, I can generally drag myself to work. I work in a school so it's pretty full on. I feel ok after a 5k run usually (though I do walk/ run).

I felt better after taking vit D spray but it's back to feeling rubbish again now. Vit D seems ok now from the last blood tests.

I've bought some strong iron tablets, hopefully they will make a difference.

OP posts:
Canyoucheckonme · 18/09/2023 22:21

I feel your pain OP, I could be writing your posts.

I've just had a full blood test last week to see how things are looking as I'm struggling with mood swings and fatigue again. I'm 42 so they're going to check FSH levels too. Got a text today to say my iron levels are on the lower side of normal so to take a supplement... Umm.. I already take Solgar 20mg iron daily! (I gave blood a couple of weeks ago so that won't have helped matters).

I take high strength B12 drops and high strength VitD every morning too.

Just wondering if you're like me and suffer with SAD and emotional overwhelm sometimes too? I nap for an hour or so every day (2hrs today as it was my day off) and sleep for around 8hrs a night.

Anyway, you have my sympathy. It really affects my life some weeks as I'm miserable with it...

Summer2424 · 18/09/2023 22:54

Hi @Absofsteel2
Try Chlorella powder and Spirulina powder from Holland and Barrett.
I mix the two in some water, it really helps xx

Original poster
Absofsteel2 · 18/09/2023 22:56

@Canyoucheckonme hello! Sorry to hear it's shit for you as well. I do think the winter is harder for me, I've had a small SAD lamp for a couple of years. I think it does help me feel less crap but hard to know what it would be like without. I also find life quite overwhelming sometimes, a combination of being an introvert and having some ADHD traits I think. I haven't even done much socialising lately 🤷🏻

I've just seen a post on IG about histamine intolerance which can make you fatigued. I did have problems with hives and histamine intolerance years ago but being pregnant cured it (the placenta makes diamine oxidase which clears up the excess histamine). I'm wondering if it's creeping back.

OP posts:
Original poster
Absofsteel2 · 19/09/2023 21:31

Thanks @Summer2424 I'll have a look, how long did you take them before feeling better

OP posts:
BigSwigs · 19/09/2023 22:27

I get fatigue a fair bit due to an immune suppressant I take especially when it triggers sinusitis. Pseudophedrine Hydrochloride OTC sorts it right out, I also take a daily Benadryl. This really helps with brain fog.

I'm also exploring keeping my blood sugar as stable as possible to avoid energy dips.

smilesup · 19/09/2023 22:48

I was like this. Gave up wheat. Feel about 200 times better. Can't eat even a crumb now though!

Original poster
Absofsteel2 · 20/09/2023 17:10

@BigSwigs I would agree with the blood sugar levels, I used to do the low GL diet and I felt great.

I don't really get headaches so I don't think tyramine is an issue. Glad you have found what works for you though!

@smilesup what made you think about giving up wheat? I definitely feel better eating potatoes and rice over pasta and bread. Not sure if I can justify the effort, it must be really hard not eating any wheat.

OP posts:
Summer2424 · 20/09/2023 17:16

Hi @Absofsteel2
Didn't take long when i started feeling better, a few days x

DysonSpheres · 20/09/2023 18:13

Absofsteel2 · 18/09/2023 17:43

Thyroid wasn't checked last time but it definitely has been checked before and was apparently ok. The symptoms are very long term. I've also been checked for diabetes as I'm always thirsty as well.

Worth getting the actual results from your thyroid test. I'm afraid 'normal' can still mean you have problems. The range in the UK is much wider than other countries. I was told mine was 'normal' for ages while having ongoing symptoms. Including constant fatigue. I was none the wiser. It's where you are in the range TSH and T4 that matters.

Original poster
Absofsteel2 · 20/09/2023 18:34

That's great @Summer2424 , I've ordered some

@DysonSpheres I'll try and get an appointment with my GP but I can't even get onto the online service lately! I don't have cold extremities so I'd always discounted thyroid problems

OP posts:
EducatingArti · 20/09/2023 18:39

Some people need to have their vitamin D nearer the higher end of the range ie about 125. If you are taking vitamin D you also need to be taking vitamin K2 ( Mk7) version also.

dizzydizzydizzy · 20/09/2023 22:49

I have ME/CFS. My symptoms started before I had covid but covid made everything dramatically worse.

Not heard of hair fallling out with Me/CFS -but there are lots and lots of symptoms. The hair problem sounds like an underactive thyroid.

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