feeling awful.......no end?

[keepingup]

This time last year I went to my gp as I was feeling awful. I had some blood tests done and was told everything was fine. i
Went back today as still feeling the same. I am sooo tired, struggle to get up in the morning, even though I sleep fine. Its like extreame tiredness, nothing touches it. Also i have had headaches, poor concentration, sore legs and a few other bits and pieces.

Anyways, gp told me to book in for the blood tests again, but told me she thinks I'm stressed with my 2 boys during the day, chores and working 6-11pm at night. I agree that its not the best situation but nothing I can do. she sent me away with a leflet on anxiety ( that is not relevent to me or anything I told her!) and I can't get an appointment with the nurse till may 31st.

I cant go on feeling this way, my partner thinks I'm just lazy, but I am so tired. I can't cope

shameless bump

Hi,

Sounds like a typical GP reaction to me. If they can't find anything in bloods and you tell them you're totally done in and knackered then they seem to assume anxiety or depression.

Not sure what advice I can offer. But I think its natural to be really tired looking after 2 DCs and a house. I only have one DD and I'm done in every night (come to think of it sometimes late afternoon too). And I sometimes find it hard to remove myself from the pillow.

You're not being lazy at all!

Is it possible that you've been very very busy for a long time and you've just hit a wall and what you need is for your DP to take a few days off and let you lie in bed/sleep/watch tv and just relax without having to do anything (and that includes getting your meals cooked for you).

Perhaps you'd feel a bit perkier after that??

I dont know how old your DCs are and whether you have ever had a proper break since they were born. Perhaps thats what you need.

Or even more adventurous... Go away for just 2 or 3 days with a good friend and laze in a hotel and relax and let DP and Dcs spend time together??

My DD is 9 months and my DH works long hours so its all up to me really. He took some time off at Easter and let me lie in bed and sleep. He also let me lie in at weekends over the last few weeks and its made a massive difference to the energy levels. Before Easter I was so done in I could barely speak to DD and sing to her by the time bathtime came around but now after just a little recharge I feel more energised.

In fact so much so I'm trying to exercise and have gone on a diet too.

Can't think of any medical reasons for your tiredness and your general health checks out ok so am thinking you need a booster session of sleep and relaxation and time for you?

xxx

I know I can't diagnose myself, but having a look in to cfs/me and it all make sense to me.
I have had lie ins/days away and nothing helps.
The thing that gets me the most is that she said I was 'burning the candle at both and that I need a break but never suggested signing me off work.

Thanks for the reply!

Your GP sounds just as rubbish as mine! Wont go into my GP woes on your thread....

I see what you mean. Had a neighbour years ago who got ME. Must say that it seemed very different from just being knackered generally and working too hard - WHICH YOU ARE!!! You're doing DC and house all day and working in the eve too! Madness woman - you must need a years bedrest.

GPs don't want to sign people off sick anymore as the government has told them not to and apparently GPs have to tell employers what duties you are able to perform .

I have 1 DD and don't work and come 7pm I'm done in and almost cannot make it to bed. I don't dream of a night out in a restaurant - I dream of sleep, glorious sleep! And I don't work half as hard as you do.

But back to ME. This lady neighbour from years ago. Not only was she unable to leave her bed most of the time, she also struggled to even lift a cup of tea and sometimes couldn't even chew. I'd go and visit and sometime her mum would turn me away as it was too tiring for her even to have anyone in the house and trying to listen to a conversation. She basically couldn't move at all. And it came on quickly too.

I'm not being dismissive of your worst fears but having read how much you do, I really think you're working too hard and need a long rest. How you're going to get that rest, I'm not sure now that you cannot rely on GPs signing you off sick.

Hopefully other MNer will have advice on how to get some time off from work but paid if you see what I mean.

Sorry you're feeling so done it. Its horrible.
x

I'd definitely try a second opinion. Yes you are working really hard, burning the candle etc etc, but equally you feel you are unusually tired/ill so worth checking out.

I have ME, have had it for years. When I was first ill I worked through it, and boy do I regret it now. If I'd had a complete rest, recovered fully from the pneumonia I had, then I might be fit and well now. Maybe you do need a bit of a rest and let your body recuperate a bit??

I'm just a biot upset that she sent me away with a leflet on something I'm not suffering and telling me to talk to the health visitors, and leaving me to wait it out till june for blood tests

have you had a blood test for thyroid problems? I've recently been diagnosed with under active thyroid, and the extreme fatigue, poor concentration, headaches etc. ring a bell with me. Would certainly be worth asking if they haven't done this.

Hi again,

Totally understand about being upset. Its one of the issues with the 10min appointment system for GPs. You just don't get your say and they tell you nothing useful.

After giving birth to DD I suffered lots and lots of pain. GP sent me away sayin oh its hormones etc and it will go away.

However GP was so crap that they missed (on 3 occassions no less) a 7 finger diastisis which had my bowel herniating thru!! You could actually see it. But still I was sent away to live in pain with no help at all.

Rubbish isn't it!

Went private and am being sorted by physio and also saw a gyno/obs lady privately so its getting done but no thanks to GP and its costing literally thousands.

Anyway I know its not relevant to your extreme tiredness but its a similar reaction you've had from your GP.

I'd wait and have bloods done on NHS. Blood tests cost about £700 privately if they're testing you for almost everything so v v v expensive.

You should go back to GP and explain that you're not suffering from anxiety or depression but you're geniunely totally knackered and what other advice/help do they have (and DON@T be fobbed off with HV - they're a bit wet and not much help).

And keep going back every week until GP gets sick of seeing you and does something useful.

As you're needing to work evenings, I assume going private is out of the question? If you have the option, then go but if not, keep pestering GP.

I do hope you get some answers soon.
x

I have M.E. and have had it for about 8 years, before having DS.

Your symptoms sound similar but if you are severely over doing it, it could just be down to that. However if you are finding that no amount of rest makes you feel any better and simple tasks make you feel like you have been to the gym, then I would go back to your doctor. See a different one if you have to. I had to see 3 before they would take me seriously after all the blood tests came back clear.

Keep a symptom diary of your activity and how you feel. Note all aches and pains and how the tiredness affects you.

Skandi1 That lady obviously had a very bad case of M.E. but not everyone is like that so just because someone isn't in bed doesn't mean they don't have it. I have never been bedridden with it, apart from a really really bad day where I have overdone it. To anyone outside I look totally healthy but I feel like crap a lot of the time. I have just learnt my limits and severly restrict the amount that I do.

Loads of good advice here. Hope you feel more listened to on here than with your dr!

DetectivePotato - there's a good thread at the moment for MNers with ME. I'm no good at links, but there's a surprising number of us around!

I think I am on it. I have name changed today. Is it the thread about M.E. being shitty?

Thanks Ladies.

You have spent more time as strangers talking to me than my gp.

Feeling so tired today, really need to move as it's ds2 birthday tomorrow and need some last minute bits and pieces and could really do with tidying the house. I just don't have the energy yet.

I do have private health care through my work, but before I can use it I need to be refereed by my gp, and she wants to wait for bloods before she does anything.

I sort of get the feeling she was pushing her own experiences on me. She said she knew how hard brining up 2 ds' was and then went on a 5 minute rant about men?

I know I do alot, but this has been going on 18 months, and everyday I wake up feeling crap, even when me and dp have been away minus the boys, or when I have had the week off work. No amount of rest is making this better.

I guess untill I have those blood tests I really need to stop moaning and just carry on.

Thanks again!

I think you should definitely persist. At first visit, my gp diagnosed my pain last year as stress-related (I had 2 under 2) when actually it was gallstones and I needed to have my gallbladder out. Just keep going back and asking for more.

Get the blood tests. What are they going to test for?

I have this tiredness all the time (though maybe not as bad as you) and I have to say I've been wondering about thyroid myself. Would the blood tests look at that for you?

They checked my thyroid last year and it was fine, but they are repeating them all
.Shes also checking my vitimine b levels??

Oh also iron levels (and apparently there's a test that is more precise than just a blood test, I will try and remember what that's called)

Frustrating, I agree. I've been there. But I don't think GPs want to fob us off as much as assume the obvious. And most women who are tired are simply stressed... more serious problems are much more unusual.

Can you get signed off sick for a month (ie maybe the weeks off you've had haven't been sufficient), hand as much as possible over to DP and just rest? If you don't feel better by the end of the month you can then exclude stress and CFS/ME - and the GP should accept that.

Thats a good idea by Organic. When I was in the process of being disgnosed, the bloods came back clear and I was signed off for 2 weeks, felt no better and signed off for another 2 weeks. Still no better and was diagnosed in this time.

Hi

If you've got private health thru work you should go back to your gP today and say: "I've got private health cover thru work and I want this sorted out so please refer me immediately". GP's are only too happy to get rid of you to private health when they can so go back an tell her about the private health as your opening speech and you're certain to see some quick action.

DetectivePotato I'm sorry. I was only offering my only personal experience of ME. Which I did point out wasn't much.

Wishing you luck with GP!

"DetectivePotato I'm sorry. I was only offering my only personal experience of ME. Which I did point out wasn't much"

Thats ok, sorry I was a bit snippy. I just hate the thought of people thinking because I'm not bedbound, then I am ok. Its my issue.

No problem Detectivepotato.

TBH Most people are ill informed of ME including myself.

x

It is one of those illnesses that people either know someone with or they look at you like your nose has just fallen off your face or something.

Luckily my friends all know what it is and they are great about it.

Also, apparently it was M.E. awareness week this week. I had no bloody idea. They really do need to make it more known.