Sudden Extreme Fatigue

[Dahrol]

This crap is getting on my nerves. How is someone supposed to go on with their life when these random symptoms occur, for no reason at all?

I've been fighting through the pvcs. They've already made my life hell for the past 4 months now.

But I was just hit with this sudden onset of fatigue. Extreme tiredness, and just a huge loss of energy, and It's a bit scary. I'm not panicking, but it's a bit frightening because I don't know what it is. I'm keeping calm however. It started after I brushed my teeth about an hour ago.

I feel almost exactly like I felt after my very first panic attack in September. Just totally drained. I woke up like that. I can barely walk and I feel VERY top light, kinda like I'm floating a little bit. I also feel nauseous.

Why do these symptoms occur when you don't bring them on, and why has all this been going on for the past 4 months now?

I'm trying to do this medication free because I don't wanna get addicted to Benzos or anything like that, but it's next to impossible when these symptoms hit out of the blue for no reason.

Is it dietary? Chemical imbalance? What is it? I had NONE of these problems until anxiety. =/

Already been to the doctor, the therapist is worthless, and there aren't too many specialists in our area that our insurance will cover.

The doctor says my health is great, and I'm even losing weight, going from 408 to 351 in 3 months.

[jlroesner]

Gosh, I have to say I agree with DJ.  I'm not a therapist or a doctor though.  Just a regular old gal.  But, it seems off to me for a therapist to say that someone is "too strong" to have to take meds.  Maybe they would say that they feel in their professional opinion that alternative therapies could be as effective as medication, but "too strong"?  Hmm, I'd definitely give that some consideration.  But again, I'm not a therapist so don't let my opinion count for too much!  Do you have a psychiatrist?  In my 20+ years of dealing with anxiety disorder, I have found them to be the best option for me as far as treatment planning.  I've had the best successes when I follow the instructions of the psychiatrist.  Whether it be, lets change up your meds or find someone to give you CBT as opposed to a different kind of therapy.  I just can't emphasize how invaluable that advice has been.  Whew.  Forgive me, I'm a talker.  Two of the hardest things I deal with, in my anxiety, are my food phobias and my fear of taking meds.  OK, there's a lot more than two, but I totally get what you are saying on those two.  :)  I think a lot of us here fear taking new medications.  We are afraid of the side effects, afraid of becoming addicted, afraid of the long term affects, etc.  This is a pretty common fear.  I've found that whenever I have to start something new, I make sure I do it when I'm not going to be alone, just in case.  Not so rational, but it works for me.  As far as my food phobia, mine stems from emetophobia, not really additives and so forth, but I know the misery that it is to want to eat but you just can't or if you do it causes such a fear reaction that it makes you not want to eat in the first place.  Suddenly you are condemned to a life of dry toast.  Yuck.  If I figure out how to whip this "little" issue, I'll let you know!  But, I wouldn't hold your breath!  LOL.  Hang in there, my friend.  Have faith that all will be well.  Keep us posted!  Jen

[Dahrol]

I'm really considering a beta blocker, but the thought of it making my symptoms worse scares me away. =/

[DJ873]

A therapist that says you are "to strong for that"? to me that sounds very irresponsible. If strong were the issue many of us wouldn't be on here. I respectfully disagree since i am not a therapist i can't say too much on that except that i don't understand that logic. There are non addictive meds that can help

[Dahrol]

It's weird. My doctor keeps touting medication and firmly believes it could help me, but the therapist says no, I'm stronger than that, not to mention the negative benefits of becoming addicted, since everyone's structure is different, and I do have a family history of addicts.

My mom put me on Ritalin when I was 2, in order to keep me sedated because she was too lazy and naive to deal with a child at 15 years old. I have found out recently that Ritalin is close to being Cocaine, which pisses me off to think from the age of 2 till 10, I was basically on Cocaine thanks to my irresponsible mother. I'm sure that has something to do with these pvcs, without a doubt.

But like I said, they didn't occur at this frequency this many times, everyday until my anxiety disorder developed, which was due to the death of a friend that caused me to question my mortality, considering that she was obese, and I was and am still obese.

Losing weight is a great feeling, but how I feel physically varies. I feel like I have more endurance, but on the other hand, I am always achy, have headaches now, and am generally uneasy due to these pvcs and how bad they feel, and now I've got a food phobia. I have to constantly watch what I eat, and sometimes it turns to slight fear, because of all the hidden crap they put into foods that studies have shown to be potentially deadly. I went from eating whatever, whenever, to a prisoner, afraid to eat this or that because it could have trans fat hidden in it, or high fructose corn syrup hidden in it.

I will never smoke, do drugs, or drink alcohol, so that's a plus. Those things just never have appealed to me.  

But my weight and my past history with Ritalin has me a little worried from time to time. The fear of death was the source of all this anxiety, and now the symptoms keep is going strong. =/

[jlroesner]

I firmly believe that anxiety disorders arise out of both a biological and an emotional arena.  Something emotionally triggers a system (actually it's a part of our DNA) to kind of go haywire.  But, it had to be set up biologically for that trip to occur in the first place.  It's called epigeneisis, and it's totally a what came first the chicken or the egg kinda thing.  But research points mainly to having an altered gene which is set into motion by something external (like a crisis, loss, etc.).  Medications help by resetting the switch.  Suddenly, our bodies don't respond to important nuerotransmitters that help regulate the amounts of serotonin, noradrenaline, norepinephrine, gabba, etc.  These are the chemicals that help us feel calm, relaxed, happy.  And either our bodies aren't making enough, or they being absorbed too rapidly before they can make us feel good.  So medications like SSRI's (like zoloft and paxil) or SRNI's (like Effexor or Pristiq) are given to keep your body from absorbing them so fast so there is more circulating around for us to use and thus feel better.  Now, that is not to say that EVERYONE has to be on medication or that medication-alternative treatments don't work.  Therapy actually changes the biochemical structures in your brain too!  Amazing, huh?  That's why it is important, so important, to be evaluated by a psychiatrist who can give you an evaluation and make a recommendation that is based specifically on your particular case.  I would urge to see a psychiatrist and even tell them that you would like to avoid medication if you feel strongly about that.  Perhaps they can recommend some proven methods that will work for you.  But, their knowledge and input is crucial.  They are the specialists in these diseases, your ally.  On a different note, I agree that for me the more I focus on a particular physical symptom I tend to be having from anxiety, the worse it gets.  I just wish it wasn't so hard to try to ignore it!  I wish you peace.  Jen

[Alisonj29]

PVC's are very common. My cardiologist told me that everyone experiences them. But those of us that suffer anxiety are much more in tune with what is happening in their bodies and can feel them much easier than others. Also once you feel one, you tend to get anxious which can lead to more.
When you feel them, say to yourself "oh there is that silly beat going on" and leave it at that. Sometimes I get one that almost takes my breath away or atleast it feels like that and I stop for a second and then get up and find something to do so I dont concentrate or wait for another one.
There may not be a golden cure but there is a way to deal with them. I hope you find that soon

[Dahrol]

The PVCs are still there, still making me miserable, but all I can do is keep it to myself.

The fatigue went away after I started reading a book.

Too bad the PVCs won't.

Still looking for that golden cure. =/

[DJ873]

awesome for doing what you are setting out to do.  what about blood sugar? i believe for me it is chemical imbalance otherwise meds would not help relieve it. You don't have to use benzo's. I only use maybe 1 xanax a month, if that.   Is there something you have given up in your weight loss journey? I don't know just ideas. A while back the PVC's were really getting to you sounds like you are doing better with that so maybe the fatigue will go the same way. good luck to you and all of us!

[jul04]

Congratulations on the weight loss that is great.  Anxiety can take alot out of you even when you aren't focusing on it.  How are you sleeping?  Are you feeling well rested when you wake up?

I agree that maybe it is your diet.  You really need to eat several smaller, healthier meals throughout the day.  Exercise is really important to help overcome anxiety.  I know how hard it can be to exercise when you are feeling exhausted but honestly you will feel more energized once you exercise.

I really think you should give therapy another try.  Maybe it wasn't a good fit with the last psychatrist you were seeing.  I really think that therapy is key when you are dealing with anxiety.


I hope you start feeling better soon.  Please keep posting here....Lots of luck to you....

[Alisonj29]

So your doctor has ruled out all medical reasons for the fatigue? What about your diet? Congratulations on the weight loss that is absolutely fantastic. I know however when I diet that I can really end up exhausted if I am not making sure to eat small frequent meals and the right amount of protein, fats etc. If there is a chance that maybe it is the way you are eating a dietitian might really be able to help you with that.
Also ensuring you are getting 30 minutes of heart pumping exercise a day will help. Its hard to get in too, especially when feeling exhausted but once you get through it, you feel so much better afterwards. I understand that you want to work on things without medication and that is understandable. Are you seeing anyone for counseling at all? Have you tried things such as meditation? Read up on mindfulness. There are many great books out there, some written by Jon Kabat Zinn. I wish you lots of luck on your journey and make sure you stay in touch. Hopefully you will feel better very soon