Chronic Fatigue Unknown Cause

Jumpup on 23/05/2020 - 14:52
Last edited 25/05/2020 - 01:40

I started getting fatigue in my early 20s. I would work 5 days a week in an office then spend the whole weekend in bed.
30s now and it’s getting worse, I’m working part time and I’m so exhausted. My ideal thing to do is just rest. I would pick sleeping over a free holiday!
The doctor has been no help, they have said it’s maybe caused by anxiety or depression but I don’t agree with the depressed part.
Few coffee a day keeps me going.

I’ve only felt normal (energy) when I happened to take antibiotics (Amoxicillin) for another reason and felt 100% normal during that time. I tested it again and again it worked. I can’t keep on taking antibiotics for ever.

What the hell could possible be causing this fatigue if this specific antibiotics is helping. No help at all from any doctors.

****Update - thanks everyone for the brain storming on what it could be and how to find out. Some more information about my situation.
Had a full blood test done. They found extremely low vitamin D but I took vitamin D and didn’t help.
I think I still have some hormonal imbalance I believe from like 15 years ago (acne appearing once a month even in my 30s). No thyroid or fertility issues though.

I’m worse in the morning and better towards the end of the day after 4pm.

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Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2020 - 23:41
    +7

    What's your daily exercise like? (Walking steps don't count. :p)

  • Bargainbeth on 24/05/2020 - 01:56
    +1

    Sleep apnoea or poor sleep, iron deficiency (perhaps you don't have enough vitamin c to absorb iron) or thyroid problem? Also check out gyno, I heard ovarian cysts can cause fatigue as well.

  • ShannonN on 24/05/2020 - 06:20
    +1

    I have fibromyalgia and the associated chronic fatigue so bad I was put on a dsp, while I'm male sharing my long battle and what I did etc may be of some help. PM me if you wish

    Hope you get relief soon

  • The tiger on 24/05/2020 - 09:53

    I am an old man of 80 having 3 adult daughters with their families settling down in Australia some 40 years ago from South East Asia. My second daughter who is a genetic scientist used to suffer from lack of energy. She complained to her Mum who thought she was lacking of iron. She bought liver ( cow) , and mix it with ginger and simmer them ( covered in a pot) in slow heat for a long time ( half an hour , I think) . She drank this soup for a few times. She often recovered from fatigue. Try it, no harm done, Cow liver is cheap but ginger is a bit expensive ( go to Asian stores where they are cheaper). Good luck,

    • Dadidalol on 26/05/2020 - 22:39

      I second this, weirdly enough. Chicken liver works too and is super cheap. I have it with stir fry veggies once in a while to top up my iron levels, B12 and is also an excellent source of vitamin A.
      I have recovered from constant fatigue which often caused me to fall sleep sitting upright with lights on, and now I lose less hair too.

  • rod1709 on 24/05/2020 - 10:36
    +5

    Maybe a long shot, but……….

    One of the symptoms for Coeliac Disease (gluten intolerance) is fatigue. In fact it was for this reason I went to my GP and found out I had become Coeliac. You can develop Coeliac at any age (If you are pre-disposed). Many GPs are not Coeliac aware though lately it has become much better, so best to bring it up yourself with your GP. There is a three step process to diagnose Coeliac. First a blood test, then if positive a chromosomal test, then if that is positive you need a final definitive small intestine biopsy test (via a gastroscopy)

    There is also a condition of gluten intolerance which is not Coeliac Disease. It also has the symptom of fatigue.

    • thrifty mum on 24/05/2020 - 18:35
      +2

      Yep, was going to suggest this too. Coeliac Disease is heavily underdiagnosed in Australia. It took 15+ years of symptoms for a GP to finally suggest I was a candidate. Also, my son and brother were diagnosed as a result, both were asymptomatic (also incredibly common).

    • Carmen Sandiego on 26/05/2020 - 09:09

      Can confirm that you can get diagnosed for Coeliac Disease at any age - my boss was only diagnosed a couple of years ago and he's in his mid 40's.

      Definitely sucks for him because of his heritage :P

  • imago4 on 24/05/2020 - 11:05
    +2

    You poor dear; I've been there, done that!

    Turned out to be a wheat allergy, and the antibiotics were blocking my immune system from attacking itself.
    Immune system regulates our sleep patterns, so all you want to do is sleep.
    Western medicine has no idea, except to treat symptoms.
    I had to have allergy tests through a Homeo/Naturopath.

    Your condition is not psychological, don't fall for that lie!
    Hang in there.

    Blessings!

    • rlay3 on 27/05/2020 - 23:19

      Yep try gluten free to see if that helps. Good luck

  • anthony t on 24/05/2020 - 11:15
    +3

    After an even seemingly mind illness, vitamin B12 in the blood can decrease, and some bodies (like mine) 'think' this is the correct level so regular oral supplements don't get absorbed. It's pretty cheap and easy to try 'sub-lingual Vitamin B12' (methylcobalamin - the active coenzyme form) about 5000MCG per day for a couple of weeks to see if it helps. It does bypass the digestive system, so is absorbed better - though injections of this and vit. D are best.
    But I agree with checking many of the above - FULL blood test (esp. iron, B12, vit D), coeliac check, fibromyalgia, improving your sleeping by being physically tired from quite heavy exercise (if you are reasonably fit and not overweight - a potential cause as well), sleep apnoea, endometriosis. But get it diagnosed and remedied.

    • RogerSyd on 24/05/2020 - 19:08

      Yes.. GPs can prescribe B12 injections if the b12 levels are low. Try it. I found it helpful.

  • anthony t on 24/05/2020 - 11:15

    I meant mild illness.

  • peteru on 24/05/2020 - 12:45

    Could be some kind of a gastrointestinal issue. In particular giardia can do this and temporarily back off while you are on antibiotics, then come back. It takes special kind of antibiotics to treat it properly. Can you track the onset of your symptoms down to coincide with a holiday? Particularly travel to developing countries or places that may have had water contamination (such as drinking untreated rain water)?

    If you are not getting traction with your current doctor, see a different one. Write up some notes with your history so that you don't forget to mention relevant facts. Book yourself for a long initial consultation so that the new doctor can explore your case history in detail. Be prepared to have to return many times and explore multiple avenues, including changes to your diet.

    Good luck.

  • AncientWisdom on 24/05/2020 - 13:39
    -3

    My advice is to ask around your social/professional circles and try and find a Dr that is caring, open minded and inquisitive. Usually such doctors have long waiting lists to see them - a good sign.

    Definitely go see a good naturopath, I'm personally coming to the conclusion (following glandular fever infection) that western doctors have their limits and fail to look at the whole picture. They are not good at helping their patients achieve optimal health, only at treating symptoms and preventing death (with low amount of care to the quality of life as long as you're alive).

    One other avenue of alternative medicine I'd look at is Acupancture. It has significant support in scientific research, and is well worth trying. A good accupancturist might need to see you regularly for a while.

    Good luck!

    • rod1709 on 24/05/2020 - 15:37
      +7

      "a good naturopath"……isn't that an oxymoron?

    • funnysht on 24/05/2020 - 23:03
      +1

      An accupunturist just fixes the job temporarily (like cracking your knuckles )
      A physiotherapist works to fix the underlying issue (muscluar exercises, mobility etc)

      Long term physio is better than accu in my opinion

      • ThadtheChad on 26/05/2020 - 09:14
        +1

        An accupunturist just fixes the job temporarily (like cracking your knuckles )
        A physiotherapist works to fix the underlying issue (muscluar exercises, mobility etc)

        I think you're confusing accupuncture with chiropractice.

        That said, they're both pseudo science. Any perceived benefits are from placebo effects.

        • funnysht on 26/05/2020 - 09:49

          yeah perhaps

      • AncientWisdom on 29/05/2020 - 14:53

        My mum is a physio so I have a high degree of respect for the profession. That said, they treat different things so I'm unsure why the recommendation to go see a physio instead.

    • ThadtheChad on 26/05/2020 - 09:21
      +2

      They are not good at helping their patients achieve optimal health, only at treating symptoms and preventing death (with low amount of care to the quality of life as long as you're alive).

      This is straight out of a TCM/alternate medicine flier. This is utter bollocks. You had glandular fever, something that resolves by itself and only requires symptom management. So acupuncture, cupping therapy, homeopathy etc all would have worked in "resolving the issue". Since it resolves by itself. :)

      One other avenue of alternative medicine I'd look at is Acupancture. It has significant support in scientific research, and is well worth trying. A good accupancturist might need to see you regularly for a while.

      This is absolutely not true. Please do not pitch debunked quackery to folks with real issues. I think this is really very irresponsible.

      • funnysht on 26/05/2020 - 09:51
        +2

        I agree, conditions like glandular feever resolve by themselves, it's like when a gp prescribes antibiotics for a viral infection- and it resolves so you think you have a great GP!

        • ThadtheChad on 26/05/2020 - 10:34

          Yup that works both ways. Although I've seen over the past 5 years or so, GPs being very cautious about recommending antibiotics. This is quite a positive change as indiscriminate prescription of antibiotics is a very serious issue.

        • AncientWisdom on 29/05/2020 - 15:29

          Please see my response below

      • AncientWisdom on 29/05/2020 - 15:28
        +1

        This is straight out of a TCM/alternate medicine flier.

        My observation is based on my own experience. I used to hold doctors at a very high level of regard and trust. I now think they are limited in the help they can offer.

        This is utter bollocks

        Well, it is my opinion. You are entitled to yours.

        You had glandular fever, something that resolves by itself and only requires symptom management. So acupuncture, cupping therapy, homeopathy etc all would have worked in "resolving the issue". Since it resolves by itself.

        Right, and I understand your line of reasoning (I had already considered that). The thing is that most medical information says that symptoms mostly disappear within 6 weeks of onset. In my case, after 8 weeks symptoms have not subsided significantly. The medical information out there says that "a small proportion of people may be sick for months". Note they don't know why some people take longer to recover and what to do about it. The doctor in response just said "keep resting and take paracetamol/ibuprofen as needed".

        references:
        https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtrea…
        https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Factshee…

        Compare that with a Naturopath - immediately advised that it is very important to boost the immune system (with supplements) and diet changes (again to boost immunity but also to reduce inflammation). Was also advised to avoid consumption of alcohol (Dr thought alcohol consumption was fine).

        Besides being very sensible, I can tell you that taking these steps has helped me feel much better. I could feel I was being much healthier which helped with the recovery. The other part of it is the feeling of taking proactive measures to improve my health (versus the very passive approach the doctor ordered).

        I acknowledge there is a possibility that doing nothing would have resulted in the same improvement, there is no way to know. However, that is not how I feel.

        It is important to understand that the Epstein Barr virus is not understood well by medicine. There are more than 60 strains of it currently identified and each can be different - we simply don't know.
        Medical information also indicates that "it is rare" to have a reoccurrence of EBV infection, however (anecdotally) discussing with people I know that have had glandular fever, most of them would have it re-occur in their lives (if you read all the comments to OP you will also see it mentioned). Again, this is something that not only is unacknowledged by doctors, it is also something that they have no recommendations for.

        This is absolutely not true. Please do not pitch debunked quackery to folks with real issues. I think this is really very irresponsible.

        I think it is irresponsible to spread incorrect information which may cause people to ignore treatments that may possibly help them.

        Here's some backup to my claims:
        https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtrea…
        https://www.livescience.com/29494-acupuncture.html

        Here's an article that seems pretty balanced to me:
        https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/jul/26/acupuncture-…

        I'm well aware you could easily produce articles that back up your claims as well. The point I am making is that it is not disproven. For someone that has gone through the normal channels and has not had success, it is well worth a shot. I know many people that report that acupuncture has helped them.

        And please do note that my very first recommendation was to find a good doctor. Everything else is in addition to that.

        • ThadtheChad on 30/05/2020 - 20:28
          +1

          I respectfully disagree with your opinion and belief in alternate medicine, and, as you said, I'd have a whole list of articles debunking naturopathy and acupuncture as a pseudo-science.

          While I disagree with you, I must say I found your post very well-written, and frankly quite informative. I really appreciate your effort in presenting a perspective that is contrary to mine.

          Edit: A word

    • pyjamas on 27/05/2020 - 15:49
      +2

      This post is underrated. I've gone through chronic issues of autoimmune symptoms, gut issues, anxiety etc. I've seen A LOT of GPs, and even went to see a functional doctor ($400 for first session). Having gone through so many, I have finally found a good system of people to seek for my health.

      I have a GP where I can get referrals to specialists, blood tests etc. done and I also have a Naturopath. I can tell you my naturopath helped me with my chronic issues way more than any doctor I've seen. Most of the doctors I've gone to are quick to prescribe you drugs without having known what the real cause is.

      Gut issues for an example, a basic GP would often prescribe you antacid pills (can be very bad for you over long term) based off a 5min consultation. A naturopath will run lots of tests to figure out your gut biome and any imbalances you have, and find a natural treatment plan for that, this can include exercise, meditation, supplements etc. They have a more curated approach.

      • Jumpup on 27/05/2020 - 17:46

        I’m very keen to know about this naturopath. Could you PM me. I’m thinking it might be my gut biome/imbalances.

      • AncientWisdom on 29/05/2020 - 15:30

        Yep, thanks for voicing an opposing view. Western medicine is great but has its limits.

  • minniethemoocher on 24/05/2020 - 17:00
    +1

    I had a problem like this for 15 years before I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Unlike other people my gastrointestinal symptoms were extremely mild. If you look it up you will see antibiotics helps some people with Crohn’s and with others makes it worse. Not saying you have Crohn’s disease but it could be something autoimmune like it. You find a GP who is caring and willing to work with you.

  • Diverse on 24/05/2020 - 21:07
    +1

    Opinion as a healthcare professional - since chronic fatigue falls under so many categories it's nearly impossible to diagnose just purely from that. Possibly ask your GP to refer you path to get bloods taken and go from there.

  • nkription on 24/05/2020 - 22:24
    +2

    Sorry to hear. My wife had been though a similar symptoms and no results from doctors. She went to a holistic doctor who worked with both natural medicine and traditional medicine (if that’s what you call it) The first session he sat down and spoke about her whole medical history, organised a number of tests, found she had a vitamin B12 deficiency. This was overlooked because she was in the lowest part of the “normal range” according to other doctors. I was impressed because he listened and had a very good approach to work out what the cause would be.
    Hope that helps.

  • darkchoc on 24/05/2020 - 22:29
    +9

    Here are some specialists/ideas for checking out to rule out everything:

    1. Full bloods done checking vitamin d, B12, iron, iodine and everything else - easy referral from GP
    2. Endocrinologist
    3. Tropical illness (infectious disease)
    4. MS - symptoms may show up in women at age 20-30.
    5. Allergies - dairy/gluten - get allergy test done.
    6. Sleep apnoea
    7. Endometriosis

    go to New GP and request if current one doesn't give you referrals. Tell them symptoms and say your want to be referred to specialist. One by one get tested to rule out the obscure things by specialists.

    Do not give up until you rule everything out. It may well be anxiety. But your illness may be causing the anxiety too.

    Good luck

    • funnysht on 24/05/2020 - 22:59

      This is a good list, but i would first see a infecitous physician than an endocrinologist

    • Jumpup on 25/05/2020 - 00:41

      Thank you this is a good list.

    • darkchoc on 25/05/2020 - 08:15

      Good luck. As others have said, check out

      1. gastroenterologist

      As well.

      It's going to be getting to go through all the tests and even harder explaining yourself to various doctors. You may want to give up and believe that yes you are being anxious.

      But battle through and get all the tests done. It's a long journey and you'll rule everything out. Then you can focus on recovery.

  • adamvlad on 24/05/2020 - 22:46

    An you give us an update on your situation when you have one?

    • Jumpup on 25/05/2020 - 01:05
      +1

      Will do. Seems like it will be a while.

  • funnysht on 24/05/2020 - 22:57
    +4

    If antibiotiocs truly helped, it may be

    1) Occult infection/ crohns disease/coeliac disease etc: see an infectious physician /gastroenterologist

    2) Placebo effect, thus likely anxiety related

    Disclaimer: i am not a doctor/medical so you should get an opinion from a GP.

  • miles05 on 24/05/2020 - 23:06
    +2

    Sorry to hear about your situation. I know it may be hard to keep faith in the medical system when previous practitioners haven't helped you at all, but it is important to realise that unfortunately medicine is a numbers game, and doctors are trained to recognise patterns, test hypothesis etc to find the most probable cause/diagnosis and form a treatment plan. Unfortunately this means that there are more complex presentations that are hard to diagnose. As far as I am concerned (doctors of ozbargain correct me if I'm wrong) medical literature for chronic fatigue is poor, and the disease is multifactorial. Therefore I think you should take a multifactorial approach.

    1. Return to see your GP for a referral to a specialist (or if you believe your GP does not have the experience to deal with your issue, ask family and friends for recommendations). DO NOT SEE A BULK BILL GP for issues like this, they will see you as a time waster and won't be able to get you in and out as clearly your situation requires a different approach of treatment (rather than the 2 minute script right up). If you're interested read about the biopsychosocial model of medicine.

    2. Further reduce hours at work if able and try and identify if your line of work is contributing to your stress levels. Consider changing your career based on the current qualifications/strenghts/personality you have in an effort to reduce stress in your life

    3. Utilise Allied Health Professionals (declaration of bias, I am a physiotherapist). It is clear that you have some sort of diagnosis relating to anxiety, but also exercise and nutrition can play a big part. Seeing a nutritionist will analyse your diet and see if there's anything that can be done from that angle. If you can find an exercise physiologist/physiotherapist who has experience dealing with chronic fatigue (sorry I don't have anyone I know personally) they will be able to guide you through a graded exercise program which could be really beneficial, but you need to find someone who has done this before as most physiotherapists are not trained to treat this and you don't want to be a guineapig

    4. Continue psychological input - don't play down the impact of mental health on your physical wellbeing. Remember that anxiety is a continuum, its not that you have anxiety or not. Its hard to analyse from the outside but it seems you are in a bit of denial about your mental health situation, and personally if I was spending 5 days in an office followed by 2 days in bed I would be depressed as hell.

    Hope this helps a bit, and all the best

    • Jumpup on 25/05/2020 - 01:31

      Then you very much.

      Yes I’ve been going to bulk billing GPS and they are not taking me seriously anymore! They even said it’s just anxiety and it’s my anxiety asking for these additional tests.

      I’ve already reduced my days to 2 days a week so can’t do any less

      I know I have an anxiety issue and I’ve been seeing a psychology/psychiatrist but it hasn’t helped at all with the fatigue that’s why I think there’s more to it.

  • avoidfullprice on 25/05/2020 - 00:02

    Tries using a weighted blanket to sleep with? Won't treat the cause but might help with symptoms.

  • CalmLemons on 25/05/2020 - 01:10
    +2

    See a better doctor.

    Could be physical or mental - obviously lol.

    You said taking antibiotics helped you, I'm going to say this first, perhaps it's just confirmation bias/placebo or some sort where if you think you are taking tablets, your brain is telling you you are feeling better. Or you could have some strange infection.

    Are you sure it's not thyroid issues or iron issues? Iron, B12, folate are all related. Maybe just try taking some low dose multivitamin with b12, iron and folate and see how you go?

    • Jumpup on 25/05/2020 - 01:25

      There is no way it was a placebo affected. I had taken different types of antibiotics during a time I had a mild infection and only one of the types gave such an obvious affect on what it’s like to feel normal again.

      Had these tests done multiple times. Definitely not thyroid or the multivitamin issue as I’ve been taking all these vitamins.

      Been referred to a psychologist/psychiatrist and they said I do have an anxiety issue so was given anti depressants and sleeping pills but these caused more issues than benefits so I stopped taking them.
      CBT did absolutely nothing as well.

      • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2020 - 06:38

        It's excessive use of technology products like computers, tablets smart phones etc that is causing the chronic fatigue if you also have anxiety. Quit using them or reduce to only using what you need for work and you should see a significant improvement in your energy levels…

        • Jumpup on 25/05/2020 - 08:47
          +3

          Im online all the time work then home all night. I had no idea this causes anxiety and fatigue. I’ll try stay off it.

          • antigrate on 25/05/2020 - 11:33
            +4

            @Jumpup: Social media is the modern plague. Avoid it as much as possible. Mindless scrolling through Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, Twitter, the list goes on…. it's draining.

            • funnysht on 26/05/2020 - 09:54

              @antigrate: you forgot Ozbargain forum

              • antigrate on 26/05/2020 - 10:04

                @funnysht: Nah, even here is miles better than the sh*t that gets posted to those sites. Trust me.

                • CalmLemons on 26/05/2020 - 10:22
                  +2

                  @antigrate: Yes, I agree. Ozbargain is like heaven compared to the toxicity on twitter, credit, facebook

                  BARGAIN HEAVEN [lameness]

      • CalmLemons on 26/05/2020 - 10:27

        Sounds much to do with psych then.

        This is not medical advice.

        Have you considered reading up on some Dale Carenegie, especially how not to worry?

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go_bGm5LFys

        Also, some of the motivational videos on youtube actually tend to help.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNo_cafMjAg&list=PLv7aL229Lr…
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwgxNAdK_RQ&list=PLv7aL229Lr…

        If you have Spotify try the motivation playlist - search for it.

        Our physical actions can determine our mental thinking, vice versa.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2020 - 02:18

    Doesn't Anthony from the Wiggles suffer the same issue, extreme fatigue.

    • funnysht on 26/05/2020 - 09:54

      nah he just needs to wake up

  • Aerith-Waifu on 25/05/2020 - 04:05

    Time to get a wild girlfriend, you body will get used to it once you have one.

    • funnysht on 26/05/2020 - 09:55
      +1

      OP is a girl…but yeah

  • MagicOZ on 25/05/2020 - 04:35

    Do you have heart or blood pressure issues? Are you physically active or that triggers your issues even more? What you have notice to make your condition worse?

    • Jumpup on 25/05/2020 - 08:56

      I have high blood pressure but my mother has it as well, it’s a DNA thing I think as we have always had it. My doctor said it’s not an issue. As we are not over weight and we exercise etc and had the heart test come all clear.

      The longer I stay in bed the more tired I get but it’s so difficult to get up.

  • psylence on 25/05/2020 - 04:55
    +1

    Did your Vitamin D go back to normal? You really need about 5000mg per day and you need Vitamin K with it to absorb properly (google it) get it off iherb and also as others have suggested a b12 shot. Also iron tablets.

    • Jumpup on 25/05/2020 - 08:59

      Vitamin D went back to normal when I had the re test. I have vitamin K at home but haven’t taken it. Is it worth taking if vitamin D went up to normal?
      I been taking iron but I should definitely look at getting a b12 shot.

      • psylence on 25/05/2020 - 09:48

        Keep taking it until you get in the high range just to rule out that your not sensitive to lower or lower range of 'normal' levels

  • wisdomtooth on 25/05/2020 - 07:19
    +3
    1. Eliminate all processed foods.
    2. Eat organic (especially animal products).
    3. Reduce your eating window. Don't eat after dark, don't eat before mid-morning.
    4. Don't eat carbs outside one meal a day (mine is lunch, others do dinner).
    5. Eat fermented foods: kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, Kombucha…
    6. Have cod liver oil everyday (I have Carlson's).
    7. Eat eggs every day.
    8. Get plenty of sunshine (especially around noon, to produce vitamin D).
    9. Supplement vitamin D with K2 (there's basically no limit on how much to take, if you take K2 along with it; vitamin C is actually a hormone, not a vitamin per se).
    10. Go to bed early; the hours before midnight count twice as much as those after it in terms of rest).
    11. Once every 3-4 months fast for 3-5 days (with only water and herbal teas).
    • CalmLemons on 26/05/2020 - 10:27
      +1

      You would want to do the diet change very gradually, sudden changes in diet can be quite hard to maintain and also makes you toot.

    • Jumpup on 28/05/2020 - 00:35
      +1

      Good advice. I do most of this besides eliminating process foods. Hard to do with all these Uber eats and menu log hacks.

    • wisdomtooth on 02/06/2020 - 14:32

      *vitamin C D is actually a hormone

  • serpserpserp on 25/05/2020 - 08:02
    +1

    I’m worse in the morning and better towards the end of the day after 4pm.

    Do you like your job? I felt the same when I worked at a stressful job that I convinced myself I loved but in hindsight I didn't.

    I was so tired all day but as soon as I was getting close to leaving work would perk up. Then when I left I had about 3-4 hours of happiness/energy.

    • Jumpup on 25/05/2020 - 08:45

      It’s not a stressful job but I stress over anything so maybe! Even on my days at home I feel the same but.
      The 3-4 hours of energy sounds very familiar but mines prob 2-3 hours of energy if I’m lucky!

  • pformag on 25/05/2020 - 09:31
    +1

    Go to a proper nutritionist. Get off supplements, you may be overloading on some vitamins, causing half your issues. Eat proper fresh food, stop coffee for at least a while, while you can work out how get energy without it.

    You may also have food allergies to something. It could be weird ones like Aspartame or Sucralose. My wife found this out with trial and error, as she got so sick randomly after certain foods. Drowsiness, nausea, etc. Aspartame is in a heap of food and medicine.

  • SlickMick on 25/05/2020 - 09:53

    We're incredibly complex, and even with all the advances in medicine, we're still really only at: try this, try that. Cut that out. Blast that with chemicals and hope you can recover from the abuse.

    I reckon life's a journey - you can try all of the above, and just keep searching till you find the answer. And find how to best to manage what you have to endure in the meantime.
    I've known people to relocate with the hope a different climate will help: some moved to the country, one moved from the country to the sea. One moved from one suburb to another and reckons his whole family's health improved.

    Maybe there's a traditional remedy in some other culture - you just need to encounter the right person and have the conversation that reveals it.
    Good luck.

  • ahly92 on 25/05/2020 - 09:57

    Hey, nothing to add, but wishing you the best. Could you please update in the (hopefully near future) if you were able to resolve it and what you took. Would be helpful.

  • Oofy Doofy on 25/05/2020 - 09:58

    Sleep study should be your number 1 test before you try anything else. Do it in a clinic. There are public clinics and they're free. Just need a referral from a doctor. Looking at your physicality in no way determines to a physician that you don't/won't have obstructive or central sleep aponea. It's also the least invasive test/treatment you could have that could change your life.

    Other than that, try taking B vitamins.

    On the more impressive side of things (barring sleep study shows nothing), wakefulness promoters Modafinil or it's new isomer.

    Before trying those drugs, I'd try something that works on norepinephrine. So perhaps an SNRI, or a pure norepinephrine drug like reboxetine.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norepinephrine_reuptake_inhibi…

    Have a read.

    Take care brother.

  • DarthAntz on 25/05/2020 - 10:05
    +1

    Do you run/jog? Couch to 5km is a good programme to start. I had unknown inflammation and fatigue problems for a few years, which turned into gout. Running has been a godsend the last 12 months, with no symptoms.
    I credit it to exercise and motion that improved my body's circulation more than anything.
    And there are a few leg exercises, lots of squats, that I believe push out a lot of lactic acids and toxins from your leg muscles. If you do exercise and feel like throwing up, that's the purge. Consistency is the key to getting through it.

    All the best and I hope you make the right changes to improve your condition.

  • Stranger99 on 25/05/2020 - 10:06
    -1

    I think you need to read Calcium Lie II book, it will definitely help you.
    I got a digital copy, but couldn't allowed to share here.

  • uSH4NKa on 25/05/2020 - 10:15
    +1

    100% get a referral to a sleep specialist to test for sleep apnea. Do you snore when you sleep? Or if you have a partner have they noticed you momentarily stop breathing while asleep? I'm 27 and was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea 3 years ago and started CPAP therapy. Sleep quality improved 100 times and had energy throughout the day again.

    • apptrack on 25/05/2020 - 10:27
      +1

      Unrelated but I've got a sleep study at the hospital tonight. Really hope I find some answers.

    • Oofy Doofy on 25/05/2020 - 11:08
      +1

      I was undiagnosed and untreated with severe obstructive sleep aponea also.

      2+ years of GPs, an intensivist, 2 sleep specialists, a sleep psychologist and a personal decision to admit myself to a mental health facility… Total failure on all accounts until I insisted with a GP I should have a sleep study, which I asked for several dozen times (nobody would write a referral for me in that time).

      Put on all kinds of meds, very bad ones for obstructive sleep aponea, even tried anti psychotics at one point.

      To this day it still raises my hackles.

      I'm fine now btw. Who knows if it caused any permanent damage. Been using a CPAP machine for almost 10 years. Was diagnosed at 28.

      • Jumpup on 25/05/2020 - 22:20

        I was put on every sleeping pill under the sun! Even anti psychotics were suggested for sleep which I refused.

        No one suggested a sleep study or anything like that.

        • Oofy Doofy on 26/05/2020 - 07:03
          +1

          Well, I'm not a doctor, but it's the least invasive thing a doctor could refer someone for (related to sleep issues).

          The sleep specialist who I was taken care of with, said he was surprised I didn't want to strangle a list of people.

          His bottom line was considering the people I saw, they should have known better due to their medical training.

  • AusEng on 25/05/2020 - 10:27

    Try a course of anti-fungal tablets. Try researching into yeast infections. you don't always have to have the usual yeast infection symptoms.
    Good luck hope this can be an answer.

    • Jumpup on 25/05/2020 - 22:23
      +1

      Thanks I thought this could of been linked to it. I had bought some anti fungal tablets from iherb but I didn’t end up taking them everyday.
      Hopefully they haven’t expired yet!

      • Shamdog on 27/05/2020 - 14:16

        You could try and have your GP prescribe some Lamisil tablets which are very strong anti-fungals but I believe these can be somewhat difficult to obtain.

  • centrelink on 25/05/2020 - 10:30

    I been feeling exhausted too everyday. I feel like the only thing that helps me is lifting weights for an hour in the morning. For some reason it gives me more energy in the day.

  • antigrate on 25/05/2020 - 11:01

    I'm 20 years old (male) and have been experiencing something similar for the last two or three years. I don't exercise too regularly, but I still get out and about and I tend to feel moderately more exhausted compared to other friends my age. I've had heaps of tests done which all came back fine. I'm not sure about you, but my fatigue is quite inconsistent. I find that when I exert significant amounts of energy my body actually keep up with it and the fatigue tends to subside the more I do. Usually a day of work in the office exhausts me, but I recently went to Japan and China and did mountain hiking and did more than 20,000 steps in a day and I felt completely fine. I guess what I'm saying is that it very well could be psychological.

    • thanatos350 on 25/05/2020 - 11:05

      I've been in a very similar boat. I can manage physical exertion just fine, though office based work takes a lot out of my reservoir of mental effort. I have been thinking it may have something to do with ADHD - our bodies may be directing a lot of energy toward maintaining attention, resulting in fatigue.

      • Jumpup on 25/05/2020 - 12:22
        +1

        That’s interesting as I think I could possible have some mild form of ADHD. I’ve previously looked up the checklist and I also met a couple of points. Not being able to focus and fidgety but that’s also anxiety apparently.

        • 7ekn00 on 25/05/2020 - 14:18

          Check out some ex-vegan youtube channels (Alyse Parker, Megan Remedy, Daphne Reloaded, etc) they all details some very similar health issues that you have described (anxiety, loss of energy, brain fog, etc):

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzpyOGWG1RM
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpzoNKPQhYE
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4AijpPo1bQ
          7

        • thanatos350 on 25/05/2020 - 16:23

          It's difficult to distinguish between the two and with the way diagnoses are made I am sure that there are people with either ailment who have been slapped with the wrong label. It is even more difficult when you start going down the road of learned behaviours.

          I am in the process of trying to make this distinction myself. I have always assumed that anxiety has been the culprit, however, as I have overcome the physiological symptoms of anxiety I have noticed that the cognitive variety remain. As such, I have started to wander down this way of thinking.

          Regardless, diet and exercise are mitigating factors for most diseases so a little awareness of your nutrition and some regular exercise should result in some improvement.

          It's a massive pain in the ass. I had a good brain for most of my childhood and now I feel as though it always set to "power saver mode".

  • thanatos350 on 25/05/2020 - 11:02
    +2

    Hey mate,

    There are a lot of GPs out there and I know from professional and personal experience that having a few letter next to your name does not necessarily mean that a person is good at what they do.

    A lot of GPs are not versed in much more than standard health - blood pressure, diabetes, etc.

    I would suggest hunting down a good clinician and establishing a good plan.

    Also, the depression suggestion should not necessarily be ruled out. Regardless, such a diagnoses would be useless without a definite plan.

  • alisso on 25/05/2020 - 11:25
    +1

    Check out online forums for CFS/ME/fibromyalgia or even EDS (do you have bendy joints? ie, double-jointed, knuckles that crack a lot?) and see if you can find recommendations of GPs who know the subject matter. Look for someone local to you and go see them.

    A lot of GPs are skeptical about CFS and similar conditions (thanks to the "yuppie flu" rubbish in the 80s and 90s), but they're real illnesses, if poorly understood. Someone the community recommends should be able to help you identify or rule out these conditions faster than a skeptic. You need someone open minded enough to listen when you say something isn't helping, and keep looking for answers.

    https://butyoudontlooksick.com/ is a good place to start for resources about "invisible" illnesses like fatigue.

    And keep in mind that anxiety and depression can be CAUSED by fatigue and illness, so they might be right about you having them, but confused about which is causing which! Good luck :)

    • Jumpup on 25/05/2020 - 22:26

      Thank you definitely need to find a GP that’s open minded!

  • The Wololo Wombat on 25/05/2020 - 11:28
    +1

    I had/have cf too.

    Literally have tried everything. I thought I was cured on serval occasions but turned out to be red herrings.

    Dude, amoxillin is an anti inflammatory not just anti microbial. I’ve experienced the same thing when on it. I’ve found my problem is actually inflammation that may or may not have a pathogenic cause. Either way, you need to lower your inflammation.

    For me, sinus inflammation was huge. So I used nasal rinses… got surgery which helped a lot. Still use them when they flare up.

    I really really have to manage my sleep, diet and stress. When it ‘flares’ up, I have to be ok at taking a day off to recover, or stop getting stuck in a cycle of fatigue. It usually take 4 days at least and nothing I can do really helps - just have to grin and bare it
    This is less than 10% of what I discovered works for me. If you have questions, I can help

    I can 110% relate the the worse in the morning better at 4pm thing. ThT’s my life. Also had terrible acne in my teen years

    • Jumpup on 25/05/2020 - 21:21

      I went through a stage of infections during my life and reoccurring sinus infections were one of them, but once I stopped getting the flu vaxi never had a sinus infection again…was very strange.

      I agree stress makes it 110% worse for me. It’s hard as I’ve always been a worrier.
      I have bad weeks or months. Really hard to keep track of patterns to link it back to what is causing it.

      Wooow I’m surprised other people feel the same as me about the 4pm feeling better period.

      During your flares what other symptoms do you get?

      • The Wololo Wombat on 25/05/2020 - 21:41

        Brain Fog, Teeth Grinding, Digestive.

      • icejester on 01/06/2020 - 01:15

        If you haven't had a RAST test, do a RAST blood test for house dustmites, grass pollen mix, weed mix and mould mix

        You might have severe allergic rhinitis causing nasal airway issues
        I've seen a lot of people with lethargy and sleeping issues because of nasal obstruction from severe allergic rhinitis

  • Kuhaku on 25/05/2020 - 11:45

    When you say you had very low vitamin D, did you take enough to bring it to what should be normal levels or did u simply take 1000IU of vitamin D for a month and think it didnt work. Was there a follow up blood test? The amoxicillin aspect seems placebo as theres no pharmacological aspect which would increase energy.

    • Jumpup on 25/05/2020 - 21:07

      I had a follow up test and was back to normal but I didn’t keep on taking vitamin d, I probably should.

      • Mackeg02 on 26/05/2020 - 14:37

        Vitamins D (along with Iron levels and thyroid) should be in high range of normal, if its just inside the normal range you aren't going to feel much better. it may only be part of the picture and only part of the solution though.

  • tehsnrub on 25/05/2020 - 12:48
    +1

    I got glandular fever in my mid 20s and could barely get up in the morning. I was told by my GP they could be related.
    When I was tested, I had high iron levels but apparently not enough to need a phlebotomy. I was told this could also cause fatigue and cut back some high iron foods.

    My father got bitten by a mosquito and contracted Ross River virus - he had similar issues to me except body aches on top.

    Mine took about 1 year to go away and my fathers hung around, off and on, for 1-2 years.

    I was given ephedrine to take in the morning to help with tiredness.

    • MessyG on 25/05/2020 - 21:05
      +1

      We're seeing the same situation with COVID-19 too. I had glandular fever as a teenager and I swear it took me years to return to normal.

    • Carmen Sandiego on 26/05/2020 - 09:14

      I've got the lifetime variety of glandular (found out when I was 23…shouldn't have said yes to my mum coming along with me :/) so, that could definitely be an issue.

      Regular flu shots have helped me not get colds for a number of years, therefore stopping a glandular flare up :)

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