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206710 tn?1269312859

Can anxiety cause fatigue??

After a period of prolonged stress, I started experiencing extreme exhaustion. It has let up a little but I find that I'm tired all the time now. My body feels weaker and I get tired after exertion. I am in a high state of anxiety ALL the time about this and I can't tell if I feel this way because of my anxiety or because of something else. I have health anxiety and am terrified of the doctor. I don't have insurance anyway.

This has been going on for almost 2 months. I can function and do everything I normally do but I just feel more run-down. Is this normal?? I really need some reassurance because I can't get out of this panic state.

Xanax makes me feel SO much better but my doctor doesn't prescribe enough for me and my prescription only lasts 2 weeks. She will only prescribe it once a month (if I'm lucky, she doesn't like to do it). I don't know what to do...I feel like if I could take Xanax every day for a couple of weeks (instead of saving it for extremely anxious times), then I would finally be able to get over these issues. I'm not sure though. If I feel weak, shaky and my muscles feel tired and fatigued, is this something to be really worried about or could my major anxiety be causing it?? Please help me...I am so scared that I have MS or cancer!! :(
9 Responses
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Avatar universal
I've been having the same problem.  I've been diagnosed with GAD and I've noticed lately that I've been extremely fatigued especially in the early evening.  But, if I take my clonazapam the fatigue goes away...so I definitely think there is a correlation between anxiety and fatigue.  If you think about it your constantly worrying and your body is always tense so it's no wonder we are soooo fatigued.

My doctor had no problem perscribing me the clonazapam, I think it has a lower rate of dependance that Xanax.  If your doctor won't prescribed what you need, maybe you should see somebody else.
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
Xanax and kolnipin can be addictive you need to find out what is causing your  mental problems, drugs is a cover up,  there is alot of good antidepressants out there now, and sometimes it takes a while to find one that will work for you but you do need therpy. and there is help out there for pepole without insuance and low income, try a mental health deparment , I have PTSD and took meds for 17 years without no improvemet, till i got therpy and they also  wrote out my medications, it took two years for me to get better, i still have PTSD but i know how to handle the panic attacks and the depression now that i no longer need the xanax and other drugs,  my heart goes out to you , but you have to help yourself and be confident about yourself and you will over come this.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I can certainly understand your problem.  I do believe that anxiety can cause fatigue just as depression can cause one to feel tired all the time.  You mentioned that you don't have the money to go to the doctor.  I've been there to.  I'm now on disability and thankfully can see a doctor when I need to.  You didn't mention whether or not your working or go in to much detail about your finances.  Have you tried a local community mental health?  Almost every community of any size has a place with a sliding scale for those who can not afford to pay.  It's very important that you find a physician that will see you.  They are out there.  Just remember your not alone.  There are many of us out here going through many of the same feelings and emotions.  Your mental health is every bit as important as your physical health so please do what you can to find the help you need.

Best of luck to you and your in my prayers.

Rod.
Helpful - 1
242532 tn?1269550379
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
there is no question that high anxiety, and prolonged worry and anxiety, can cause fatigue. Your doctor might be more willing to prescribe klonopin, which is like xanax, but longer lasting and less addictive... Ask her re that, and do what you need to do to get your perspective back...you are lost in the interior of your mind which creates all sorts of scary scenarios...get back to your basic reality where perspective exists....and deal with whatever it is you have to do, or accept.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Miss becky I see this post is from over 3 yrs ago. I am in the same boat I suffer from anxiety and especially over my health. I had a complete CBC count, MRI with contrast, EKG, thyroid checked etc and am still worried about any tiny symptom I may have. I hate being like this I know its not normal. I am 26 yrs old married and have 2 young sons I feel sooo bad that I have been feeling so exhausted lately!! I've just finished reading the book Hope and Help for Nerves by DR. Claire Weekes its helped but my exhaustion is still there, even though I get enough sleep. I hate taking meds the doc prescribed me Xanax only took twice. I set up an appt with a therapist and go in tomorrow, I HOPE this all gets resolved so I can feel "normal" again. I'd like to talk with some other extreme anxiety sufferers my email is ***@****
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
how do you feel now?  ihave almost exactly the same feelings...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am a serving police officer in England. Last year I had the most stressful year of my life resulting me being diagnosed with GAD.....unfortunately now I have turned into a worrier over nothing. I can definately confirm that when you get stressed / anxious for a while it can leave you shattered. I try to eat better now and I keep hydrated, it helps. Eat things like bananas which have energy giving properties. I have found the more **** I eat and sleep depravation makes my symptoms worse. Keeping my mind active leaves me little time to worry....!!!

Good luck anyway, Ian
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
With a lot of stress your adrenal glands get tired, so you need to take care of them. Many people benefit from a dietary supplement specifically targeted to the adrenals. You may also want to read the book "Adrenal Fatigue"

I'm also curious about your diet Are you eating food that can make you sluggish hours later, like carbohydrates or soda, etc? It's worth taking a good look at your nutrition and overall health habits. Is your thyroid ok? Are you drinking alcohol?

I heard something pretty cool recently. "Take care of yourself as well as you would take care of your dog". This means attention to nutrition, hydration, exercise and sleep. Take a good look at all of those areas, maybe there's something that you can change that will help you feel better.

One more thing. Do you know that your sleep is ok? If you get a lot of sleep and you still feel excessively fatigued, ask a partner / housemate / roomate if you snore, gasp, or seem to stop breathing when you sleep. If so, see a doctor who specializes in sleep disorders to get his/her opinion on what might help you.
Helpful - 0
193245 tn?1189989722
Agreed.  And Clonazepam generic should be inexpensive enough that you can afford it without insurance.  No different than your Xanax as far as that goes.
Helpful - 0

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