I've had it with fatigue

[Sandpuff]

Fatigue seems to have taken over my life.   I have to take at least one nap a day, sometimes more.  And after I work for half an hour I need a break.  I have moments of energy and start something only to wear out within a short time.  This is a big disruption to my life and I can't get my work done.  Is there anything I can do to help with this?  I'm taking antidepressants to see if that helps even though I don't feel depressed.  Any other ideas?  I am not diagnosed with anything, just underwent some testing because of a couple swollen lymph nodes and chest pain and so far all that has come back normal.  Had lots of bloodwork done, all came back looking "pretty good" in my doctors words.  

Another question, what would cause me to get an electric shock in one of my toes when I walk?  This started about 3 months ago along with a weird vibrating feeling on my leg when I'm sitting on the couch with my feet up.  The vibrating is on the inside and you can't see it, always in the same spot, and only when I'm sitting in a certain position.  What could cause this?  It doesn't happen all the time, seems to happen more when I'm worn out.  My calf muscles are also stiff, kind of like I did a bunch of toe raises but I didn't.  Should I chalk all this up to depression and live with it?  Or is there something else going on?  I can live with the toe and leg things, but the fatigue has changed my life and I'm just plain sick of it.  I have so much I want to do and no energy to do it.

[Sandpuff]

Thanks for your input!  It sounds like it would be worth a try.  I am going to go back to the doctor in the next week or so and I will ask her about it.  I'm so glad it has worked for you.  Take care :)

Michelle

[meg321]

My fatigue has been severe for a long time and does not improve, i also take provigil.  It is very expensive and there is no break in price anywhere, i have checked everywhere.  My insurance will cover it in January, my pharmacy insurance ran out in May or June this year. I am paying for it by not buying anything else for myself. Its worth it because if i didnt have it i would not be out of bed. I also work two days a week and use that to pay for it.  In January i will pay less and in May I will be illegble for medicare which will pay for it or very close.  Its so worth it for me, otherwise i woud not have a life.  Also. my dr will give It to me from his sample closet if he has it.  There is no other drug that will do the same thing and no generic for it. And its a good drug and not addictive.  I would gt it if you can do it.
hugs, meg

[Sandpuff]

I could definitely use the help focusing!  

My legs have also been feeling tired and achy below my knees.  This just started in the last week.  What would cause this?  I feel like I've run a marathon, but haven't done any extra activities that would make my legs tired so I don't understand it.   The stiffness in my calf muscles is still there, too.  That's something that just started in the last month.

[risnerrose]

Another plus for Provigil . . . it seems to help me focus.  I'm not sure if I just imagine that or it truly does help with the "cog fog".  

[Sandpuff]

Thanks for all your comments, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.  I know I'm not alone in the fatigue, and your support is priceless.

Quix - to answer your questions, 1) The fatigue lately has been both sleepiness and tiredness.  I used to be able to read for awhile before falling asleep but have a hard time making it through more than a couple pages right now.  Most times when I wake in the morning I feel stiff and old (I'm 36) and I look forward to getting my outside chores done and kids to school so I can go lay back down.  I get up at 6 or so and by 9 a.m. I can lay down and go back to sleep and not wake for a couple hours, even though I slept 8 or so hours at night.  There are times when I wake and once I've had my coffee feel good for an hour or so before I get worn out again.  I do have a hard time even when I'm not sleepy, I have a lot of physical chores and just plain can't do them right now.  It's like I'm moving in slow motion and I give up and go in and sit on the couch.  Yesterday was a "good" day, I was excited to do some things but my energy lasted about 15 minutes and the tiredness set in.  After church on Sunday I had to go sit in the car and wait for my husband (not like me at all) because I was to tired to talk to people.  

I had a very pathetic 5 minute neurological exam a year or so ago.  Was told to come back in 6 months, didn't want to do that.  I had an MRI I think in 2002, and some in 1999 or so when I had myoclonus really bad (by the way, in your opinion can spinal myoclonus that makes you fall down be caused by Prozac?  Just curious because they never discovered what caused it.)

The vibrating feeling is constant when my legs are in a certain position.  It's when I'm sitting on the couch with my feet on the coffee table doing a crossword puzzle.  I don't know if it comes and goes when I look up and down.  Since it's when I'm doing my puzzles I guess it would be when I'm looking down at my lap.  I will have to try bringing my toes up when my calves are stiff because I don't know.  I don't stumble or trip when I'm tired.  My right leg (the leg that vibrates and the side the toe shock thing happens) used to get heavy and tired and would occasionally give out on me in the past, but that hasn't happened for awhile.

I have been seen by a rheumatologist and had a work up for Lupus and was tested for Lyme.  They did quite a bit of bloodwork a couple weeks ago (thyroid, crp, insulin, blood counts, and some other stuff).  My blood sugar does sometimes get really low (38) if I eat too much sugar and not enough protein.  I also had to have a re-check of my lymph nodes with cat scans, my doctor was talking to the oncologist today to see if he wanted to do a biopsy.  That's what got me back in the doctor's office, and now I'm frustrated again, that's why I swore I'd never go back!

Lowen - I could relate to what you said about not wanting to get up even to eat something.  Sometimes when my kids need something I just can't hardly stand to get up and take care of them.  I was told I had mono twice, once when I was 11 years old and again when I was 19.  I also had a really miserable virus and my temp was 105.2 and I lost 15 pounds in a few weeks when I was 21.  I'm sorry you had to drop out of school, but congrats on making it back part time!  When I was in college I was a full time student, was on the track team and worked at night.  I wouldn't make it through one day of that now.  I really appreciate all your thoughts!

Sherry - thanks to you and Lowen about the info on Provigil, I hope you both can get insurance to cover it as it sounds like it could be very helpful.  I may ask my doctor about it.  She wants to see how antidepressants help for now which I'm fine with if it will help.

You all have made this day a little brighter, thanks for taking the time to listen and share your knowledge.  

Michelle

[risnerrose]

I finally had to give in and ask for something for the fatigue.  I felt like I was missing my children's lives.  I now take Provigil, and it makes quite a difference for me.  At this point my insurance does not pay for it, and it is costing about $300 a month.  

Quix placed an article on the health pages that discusses the buzzing, etc.  I believe it is titled "Parasthesis".  

Hope you find the info you need,

Sherry

[Quixotic1]

Always good to see you, tho I would prefer you felt better.  Would you say your fatigue is tiredness or sleepiness or can you tell.  When you stop, do you fall asleep quite promptly?  When you wake up, do you feel better, even if the feeling doesn't last long?  I'm wondering if you should ask your doc about a sleep disorder and getting a sleep study.

Now sleep disorders can mimic all sorts of neurological things and are more treatable.  Did you ever get a good neuro exam and an MRI?  I do remember that you were blown off by your docs and had sworn off seeking a diagnosis,

Your toe and leg symptoms sound neurological.  When your are sitting with your feet prooped up does the vibrating feeling come and go?  Have you ever noticed that it occurs when you drop your head down to read or look at something in your lap?  -- or is it constant?

When your calves are stiff, is it hard to bring your toes upward toward your knees?

When you are really tired do you seem to trip over your toes and stumble a lot?

I'm just tring to get a feel for things.

Have you seen a rheumatologist?

Let's see if we can make sense of this.  BTW you don't sound depressed.  You sound tired.

Quix

[Lowen]

Hi there!

Just read your post and the first thing I want to tell you, is that you are not alone. I suffer from chronic, debilitating fatigue that has caused me to quit many jobs and even drop out of college-I'm back now, but only part-time as that is all I can handle. Sometimes even the two courses I take once a week, can feel like they require too much energy and concentration.

For me personally, I find that naps do more harm then good. Once I am asleep, I find it hard to get out of bed and start again. If the naps are helping you though, keep it up.

I was also given antidepressants and I don't suffer from depression either. I tried a few different kinds, but alas...none of them helped relieve my fatigue. My fatigue has been so severe, that I will lay in bed hungry, because I can't muster enough energy to get up prepare something to eat. Opening a can of tuna and putting it in a bowl is just too much sometimes. I feel like the inside of my body is filled with heavy sand--

Anyhow, how you ever had mono caused by EBV (epstein barr virus)? Have you ever had active CMV (cytomegalovirus)? I have had both, and was told that both of them can cause extreme fatigue and lead to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Researchers are also finding a link between these viruses and developing autoimmune problems.

Lastly, the sensations you are feeling can be caused by a number of things--including the simple fact of being worn out. There can be quite a number of causes. You should grab a notebook, or use this site to record what you are feeling. Also, evaluate what you are eating- there are certain foods we can eat that can help give us energy and other ones that have the opposite effect. Once your nutrition is in check, if you see no difference or relief, then take your notebook to a doctor and demand further bloodwork and testing. Make sure they test your thyroid, and heck, make 'em give the full workup.

Lastly, there is a drug that helps with wakefullness. It's called Provigl (Modafinil). I was took this for a while. It didn't cure my fatigue, but it helped. I had to stop taking it, as my insurance does not cover it and there is currently no generic. I'm trying to get it approved under special circumstances, but haven't heard back yet.

I hope some of this info helped you out, I really do understand. I know it's hard, I know...but just try not to lose your spirit and give up. I'm still new here, but I hope you will stick around as there are many insightful, intelligent people who offer not only good advice, but also kindness, compassion and friendship.