Chronic fatigue and pregnancy?

[lili2701]

Hi everyone,

I've just found out I'm pregnant, my periods were due a week ago, I was certain to be late but no I'm just pregnant, what a shock.
I've had mild chronic fatigue for years and haven't been working for a long time, I can hardly cope with a half time job now, but have to point out that my fatigue is as much due to insomnia than other disturbances I could have because when I do sleep on a regular level, I pretty much feel normal except for some days.
My main symptoms are migraines, fatigue, constipation, dizziness (less often).
My doc says I have hashimotos (no medication), EBV being chronic and gut issues.. CMV being chronic too.

At first having a baby was a no go for me but then I'm 33, my partner is chuffed about this, we have financial resources, my main fear is my health and not being able to cope. I mean I've known this for two days and I'm a wreck already, the shock was so intense I haven't been able to sleep.
I don't have any symptoms yet also so how am I gonna cope when I do?
I had a bad migraine earlier this week though, it wouldn't go away with paracetamol, didn't know I was pregnant yet.

Don't know what to do. I'm scared to never recover physically if I have a baby because of so much sleep deprivation.

I'd love to read some stories if some of you went through this.

thank you for reading.

Why aren't you being medicated for the Hashimotos? All the symptoms you describe are symptoms of hashimotos ... and from your phrasing 'your doc says' have you not had biopsies and a consultant you see regularly for it?
I don't wish to alarm you but untreated thyroid issues can cause problems in pregnancy.

Have you been referred to any sleep clinics? Your CF cannot be mild if you are unable to work at all, surely?

I have some physical/sleep issues and an auto immune condition: these give the appearance of Chronic Fatigue and before diagnosis I was brushed off constantly with a different diagnosis, a different day.

I really would see your Dr immediately: if they won't refer you to a consultant because you are pregnant with a thyroid disorder, you need to self-refer.
With me the irony was they managed my symptoms far better when I am pregnant ... I felt better than ever before on my revised medication. They've actually picked up on things that they are going to be treating after baby arrives, so fingers crossed it will continue.

Congrats on being pregnant! I too suffer from CFS, although not to the same extent as a few years back when I couldn't work full time. I have 1 DD who is three and like you I was worried about coping with DC/pregnancy and CFS. However, I was lucky and apart from the expected exhaustion coped fine. Just take it one step (and day) at a time. I find that the more I try to plan to avoid the symptoms, the more I panic and bring them on!

Also, before I got pregnant I went for lots of acupuncture and it helped more than I can say. My sleep improved and so did my balance and muscle strength. Perhaps this might be something to look at?

HTH x

hi thank you so much for replying!

So, about hashimoto, my TSH is ok (at least the last time I checked) but my anti TPO are over the roof so back then my doc checked for intolerances and according to him, intolerances to milk and gluten caused my thyroid to attack itself as the immune system is not working properly. he said it didnt need medication for now, the thing is, it was a year ago, now I have no idea where it's at. I have just found out I'm pregnant, I must be 3 weeks pregnant as I'm 8 days old (so basically my last periods were on 15 August).
I live in belgium, doctors here are crap, most told me I was fine and didnt have any thyroid problems because they dont consider antibodies against thyroid to be a problem.

it's a bit complicated..

I don't know if I want to keep the baby or not, so I'm trying to take it one day at a time indeed and btw I also think acupuncture is great, just don't like the needles but I should go.

this pregnancy wasn't planned btw..

the first thing I'll do next week is a blood test. Also I'm a wussy I hate blood test etc, can't imagine going through pregnancy and labour omg it terrifies me and I hate being sick, actually I havent vomited in 20 years so it scares me to have nausea.

Right now I'm hungry all the time, have had heartburn one day and a migraine one day and then I'm tired but normal as I have had insomnia..

I'm taking homeopathy nervoheel apparently it's good..

thanks a lot for reading me.

Although some pregnant women with chronic fatigue syndrome experience no change or a worsening of the severity or frequency of their symptoms, some experience relief. Interestingly, women with CFS generally (though not always) feel better during pregnancy and newborn period. This occurs for many reasons, including increases in several hormones (such as CRH and estriol) and a 30% increase in blood volume.
I would say, try to get plenty of back up like supportive partner, and family help for at-least first few initial months. Optimising hormone levels and maintaining hydration, along with fish oil supplementation, can help recovery. Strain of delivery and exertion to raise newborn may cause of your CFS to relapse after delivery. Your gynac can help you with healthy lifestyle choices to maintain the new mother's health.