Extreme fatigue

[skiff186]

Help!!

I'm a 50 yr old male,geno 3a on shot 35/48. Had RVR and been clear since week 6.  Over the past 10 days I've gotten extremely weak. Some days can only be out of bed for 6 - 7 hours.  All blood counts, LFT's, kidney function, and thyroid test done last week look fine. Hemoglobin back up to 13.5.

Only thing my doctor did was give me zoloft.  Thats fine, it will probably help.

My concern is that something more serious has changed - untill 8 or 9 day ago I had "normal" sx. ie moderate fatigue but was still able to function.  As I said about 10 days ago it felt like the bottom dropped out and it's getting progressively worse, feel like I weigh 700 lbs, and I'm really worried about being able to keep going.

Anyone else have fatigue this extreme? Should I go back to the doctor?  Anyone have any other ideas? Desperate to hang on for 13 more.  Thanks

DH

[tina-b]

My husband is also 3a and is 26/48. About 3 weeks ago he had some of the most extreme fatigue you can imagine. Like you, he was only able to stay out of bed for a few hours per day. Maybe work 5-6 hours and then he went right back to bed. None of his labs showed any reason for it. I don't have to tell you it scared the hell out of me. I called the doctor and was told "these are some very hard meds". Well, no ****! Anyway......this lasted about 2-3 weeks and he is now back to "normal" as he can be on the meds. I do know there is a flu like bug going around and I think he had it. I know I did but I was only tired for a couple of days and not feeling very well and I bounced right back....it took him a while longer. He even ran a fever for a couple of nights.......that scared me the most I think. I will keep my fingers crossed that that is what is causeing your extreme fatigue. Maybe you will wake up tomorrow morning a be feeling a little better. Oh ya, he is 48 years old, he just had a birthday on the 24 on July. Good luck to you.

[britgirl]

I assume we are talking about TSH levels. When I was on 50mg of thyroxine a day, 3.5 was still considered too high (although within "normal range") and my dose was increased. 7.7 is high, and means that your thyroid is underactive. Your doctors will probably put you on thyroxine, if they haven't already.

[DoubleDose]

There is disagreement in the medical community over what constitutes 'abnormal' in the THS ranges.  Recent articles are more and more in favor of treating what many doctors call MILD hypothyroidism...usually meaning TSH in the 3.5 to 10 range.  The range cutoff point recognized by the Endocrinologists in the US as of 2002, is around 3.5, but many will tell you that even that is really not 'normal' compared to the general population. Many docs still the old 5.0 or so, top of range.   MOST normal people's thyroids test in the 0.5 to 2.0 range, with very small numbers testing above 2.0.  Or in other words, the Bell Curve distribution for normal thyroid function has the great majority of normal people in the 0.5 to 2.0, under the large portion of the curve.  What this probably means is that when TSH levels start to elevate above 2.0, especially when above 5.0, you are seeing the beginnings of hypothyroidism...and often the symptoms can be as severe as with much higher TSH levels.  It means the thyroid is struggling, and not producing quantities of hormone necessary to normal functioning.  Another issue is whether you have developed thyroid antibodies...TPO test, and one other thyroid antibody test (which i cannot recall) will tell you this.  If you are positive on either test, it is an even stronger indication that hypothyroidism is in progress, and will probably continue to worsen over time.

You can run searches on google and yahoo for articles on:  "Treating mild hypothyroidism",  and similar wording , to get some contemporary points of view.  My endocrinologist started me on synthroid after tx when my TSH had settled back to about 5.8, (from over 8.0 during tx) and has a goal of getting me to around 1.0 on the TSH.  I just increased the synthroid from 50 mcg. to 75 mcg. since my 6 wk. TSH test was 3.0  ....  not good enough yet.  I am feeling some good effects already!!!  The thyroid issue MAY be very important, as far as sx!!!  Pursue it fully with a knowledgable endocrinologist!!!  Go armed with articles.  Your current TSH indicates definite mild hypothyroidism, by all standards...and treating MAY bring big benefits.  Also, get the antibody tests!!!

Doubledose

[hope2Bok]

Skiff, maybe your doctor can give you something different. Some people can't tolerate certain AD's. I can't take Paxil, so they put me on Effexor. I had no sx with that at all. Paxil made me crazy. Zoloft is  one AD that you can stop at any time without weaning off of it. They give it to some Pregnant woman in their 8th month to alleviate PPD. They put my daughter on it and when her daughter was 7 months, she just stopped taking it. So, ask to try something different.
Anne

[skiff186]

Symptoms started about 9 days ago, Zoloft was doctors response. He's been trying to get me on AD's for years.  Thought I'd finally give in just so we can get that issue off the table.  The zoloft will actually do me some good I'm sure, however, I continue to sink and I need to find out why.

[snook_man]

The fatigue may just be from the Zoloft, that you started taking.. As soon as I took the Celexa the Dr ordered, I was like a Zombie.. Sat on the couch, barely able to do anything, and the headaches where BAD!!! Talk to Dr, and see what he thinks. They put me on Effexor XR, and so far I am just slightly fatigued.. If all your blood work came back ok, and the Zoloft is the only change you have made, I would suspect that.. Good luck, your close to the end so keep up the fight..