I am suffering from horrible chronic fatigue that causes me to sleep 12+ hours a day and still be exhausted. I have also tried not sleeping (so sleeping 10 hours straight and going about a normal day with no naps), hoping I was just over-sleeping and making myself tired, but that's not it, either. I've seen 3 different doctors and I'm not getting any answers. I think they don't believe me, because I am only 22 and I have the same issue my 50 something parents do.

Anyone experience chronic fatigue and have a solution of some sort? Or even anything to help the fatigue?

(Whatever IT bug it is that magically logged me out after I hit "post" on previous post, I hate you)

1st time: Chronic fatigue + immune issues due to nutritional deficiency. Saw naturopath and did live blood analysis - fixed with major diet changes. Noticable results in 3-5 days and fixed completely within 3 months.

2nd time (current): Chronic low energy due to overwork (exhaustion), fainting spells, decreased cognitive function and unexplained weight loss. Saw naturopath and doctors. Live blood analysis + full blood test. Have nutritional deficiencies + hormonal issues (adrenals, but also suspect thyroid) effectively related to studying too much Suspected depression as well, although I'm not sure about this one as I'm just tired, not sleepy. On plethora of vitamin supplements and strict instructions to change my lifestyle You know you've hit a low (or a high) when the docs are telling you to get out and have more fun Anyway - feeling better now, but probably won't feel like I did before until I fully return to dance training.

Sorry to hear you're not having luck with docs. Have you had a full blood test? Curious to know what your TSH and cortisol levels are like. Would definitely recommend seeing a nutritionist or naturopath if you continue struggling - it is crazy how much diet can affect the body. What's your home and work environment like? What are your stressors? etc.

All the best - fatigue sucks. I found myself wishing I was properly sick a lot last year, because at least then I'd know that I was going to get better eventually :/

Sublingual B-12 drops. Seriously. It's made a big difference for me! But do get a full workup at the docs.

kk~

Eat better. B vitamins. Fish Oil. Iron supplement.
Ready, set, go!

^I second the iron. It could, of course, be everything else.. but iron is always a nice thing to try first.

glitterfairy - wow, that is crazy. Thanks so much for sharing your personal story with me.

I had a full blood workup done back in September when the fatigue first got bad, and they found absolutely nothing abnormal. I am a 4th year university student. I spend most of my time stressed out, so it wouldn't surprise me, from what you're saying, if that has something to do with it. I am usually stressed out about money as I support myself and school.

I have heard about iron, but I have also heard it is easy to over-dose on iron so I was nervous to take a supplement for it.

Also, is there any special type of fish oil I should try?

But thank you for the suggestions! If anyone has anymore, please keep them coming.

Oh, the studying makes so much sense Muchos sympathies. My bloodwork currently reads "You're Perfectly Healthy", and yet I'm still struggling to study for more than 20mins at a time and generally feel foggy-headed. Some days I feel like I get through on sheer willpower alone :/

Best thing to do if you're worried about supplemental overdose or "which supplement is best?" is to educate yourself if you can't afford to see a nutritionist/naturopath - pages like ods.od.nih.gov . . . or any nutrition textbook from your university library. You're probably interested in UL's (Upper Limits). Also consider factors that affect vitamin/mineral absorption, such as Vitamin D (sunshine!) and the calcium-iron-zinc relationship (iron 'likes' calcium, but competes with zinc for absorption). The student kitchen (ie microwave) is unfortunately also a frequent contributor towards malnutrition

The other thing I'd suggest would to have scheduled 'playtime' and a daily walk around the block. I do the former and daily intentions to do the latter Anyway - during both, you are BANNED from thinking about academia/money, or feeling guilty about not partaking in academia/work. It's funny - I'm always terrified to leave my desk but find that when I do, upon returning I'm much more 'fresh' and far more productive.

I agree 100% about the B Vitamins, Vitamin D3, Iron, and even a calcium and magnesium combo vitamin. Fish oil is a life saver in my book.

I get fatigue a lot and making sure my diet is rich in all the minerals and vitamins I need has made a big difference. Also, doing a little power yoga can be energizing when you feel like sleeping instead. Get enough water and cut back on caffeine if you are drinking a lot- sometimes it can have the opposite effect when you drink too much and make people feel exhausted instead. I hope you feel better soon! I know how frustrating it can be to deal with fatigue and not have any help. Be sure you are living as healthy as you can, getting enough sleep, exercise, food, nutrients and water and hopefully this passes soon.

I have chronic fatigue in addition to depression. I had to fight to get doctors to realize this, because they would take one look at "major depressive disorder" and tell me that was why I was tired. I know depressed-tired-feeling quite well, and I knew something else was wrong. My blood tests came back normal, but the doctor finally tested me for mono. He found that I had had mono in the past year or so, but didn't have it at that time. Because mono can linger indefinitely, he decided that I fit a diagnosis of chronic fatigue (it's thought to contribute to it or cause it - nobody has any clue, of course).

There are some medications for chronic fatigue, though you probably don't want to medicate - I'm throwing it out there because they DO exist, and most doctors probably wouldn't tell you. I was put on Nuvigil, which is a newer form of Provigil, a stimulant. These meds were originally designed for those with narcolepsy, I believe, and are also given to fighter pilots who have to drive long distances, or to those who work a night shift and have trouble staying awake during the day.

Proof that this is a real disease? I was on that PLUS Adderall (another stimulant - it's amphetamine, which is similar to meth) and would still fall asleep in the middle of the day. That takes serious skills!

No, but it really does help. You might feel jittery if you don't get the dose right, but as with any drug, you adjust. I've been doing pretty well for a while now - the fatigue rarely bothers me. I tire more easily than I used to, but it's nothing like the initial fatigue.

So that IS an option, just so you know.

You really need to visit your doctor again before taking any advice on supplements, your bloods may need to be retested for other things that were not covered last time, dont take other medications from self diagnosis until you have spoken to a doctor

I was just wondering; have you been tested for a vitamin B12 or iron deficiency?

Stay away from anything artificial, like sweeteners, preservatives, eat all natural and organic. Stevia is a great, natural sweetener, if you are looking to lower calories and sugar intake.

Lots of good articles here...fatigue.mercola.com

Good advice above, too.

A friend of mine also swears by reflexology and acupuncture, to help.

Are you sure its CFS- you might have sleep apnea. You dont have to be overweight to have it either. one of the symptoms- amoung many- is sleeping long hours and waking up not feeling refreshed. Just in case, I would have a sleep test.

Po

Gluten intolerence can also cause fatigue... might be worth trying a dietary change for a couple of weeks.

Im having similar issues lately. Going for a sleep study would be at the absolute bottom of my personal list from negative experiences my husband had.

I'd like to chime in for B12 as well. I don't have severe fatigue or anything, but I take it every day and since I started, I've felt like a different person during the school year when I'm not getting more than 5 hours sleep a night. It's been practically miraculous for me.

Don't forget that lack of Vitamin D can cause a myriad of issues, too.

^ And Vitamin D deficiency is VERY common. Taking 1000IU a day couldn't hurt.

madseason wrote:

^ And Vitamin D deficiency is VERY common. Taking 1000IU a day couldn't hurt.

Amen, I take 2,000 IU daily, the recommended amount for me, when it's not warm enough to be out in the sun.

My sister had major issues with her health and they found that she was massively Vitamin D deficient. They had to put her on 50,000 IU per day.

Wow! First off, let me just say thank you so much for all the helpful replies in this thread. I will try to answer each of you.

Quick update: I went to the store to look at supplements, and I was blown away by how expensive these things are!! So, it may be some time before I can afford to try any of them out, sadly. But I still want to gather advice and experiences from others, just in case.

glitterfairy: Thank you for the great suggestions. Truth be told, my diet is horrible because I live below the poverty level and just eat what I can afford, which tends to be unhealthy. Yes, my microwave and I have a great relationship. ;P I really like the idea of taking time out of my day and not worry about anything. I wish I could go outside right now, but it's terribly cold and snowy out, but I will consider doing that in the future. Thank you for posting that link! It has been very helpful.

madseason: Thank you for the well wishes! It's good to know that combo works for you as it may work for me as well. I am very interested in yoga, I have tried it yet as I do not have much room where I live to try out a DVD or something but I will try to figure something out.

Heart: Yes, that is part of the issue. I was diagnosed with major depression 11 years ago, so when my doctors talk to me about my condition, I feel like they constantly ask "Are you sure you aren't just depressed?" So yes, sometimes I feel like no one will listen to me. It's nice to know I am not alone with this. I am not afraid to medicate. After going off my depression and forced to stop my ADD medication because my insurance no longer covers it, I know I need these medicines to function like a normal human being. I will mention that medicine to my doctor as it was not offered to me as an option when I last went in.

choobychoo: Thank you for your concern. I will more than likely see my doctor before I can start any of these supplements.

madseason (2): I think anemia is iron deficiency, correct? If so, yes I was tested for that and my results came back normal. As for B-12, no, I am not sure if I was tested for that or not.

Dream_chaser, LlamaLlamaDuck: Thank you for the advice, but sadly at this time I do not have much control over my diet as I eat what I can afford. Oftentimes it does consist of fruits and veggies but it's most often pasta and other gluten culprits. Or things filled with sugar. I am just doing what I can to survive at the moment. (Also, I just want to add I am not looking for a pity party, but I feel like I can be honest here on DDN about my situation so I can get the best advice possible).

hyehokis: Doesn't sleep apnea usually involve snoring and waking up? I sleep with my fiance every night and according to him I do neither. My mother has sleep apnea; when I used to live with her, she would fall asleep on the couch sometimes and wake up quite often and snore. I just assumed since I don't do either of these things I don't have it, but I could be wrong.

Megan: Thank you for chiming in! I would love to feel like a different person! That'd be great. So I will look into that.

I will also look into Vitamin D as well.

I think I answered/responded to everyone. Thank you for all the replies. I am keeping a list of supplements to talk to my doctor about and to possibly purchase after I get paid. I at least want to get a few in my system. I would love to see some results.

Check out netrition.com. Also, do not buy synthetic supplements. Honestly, there are natural ways, without supplements, to get your correct vitamins and minerals, through diet.

Here is one of many sites with information. chronicfatigue.about.com . . .

You can get vitamins/supplements at Walmart. You don't necessarily have to buy the expensive ones from GNC or another name brand health store. Target often runs sales on their vitamins, which is helpful too. The fish oil that was suggested to me was Omega 3. And while most suggest that you take vitamins daily, if you take them every other day to soften the financial blow, I'm sure it'd be fine.

I missed your reply to me. Eating veggies and fruits are really cheaper than eating carbs and sugars and other stuff. It just takes extra time and effort, but it's well worth it. Good luck to you.

Store brand multivitamin for women: $3.98 at WalMart. 100 count.
www.walmart.com . . .



I wouldn't take anything more than that without consulting your doctor first, especially if you're on medications right now. For example, Vitamin D supplements are usually given with a bit of calcium in them. Calcium coats your stomach, and if you take it at the same time you take your daily meds, it can prevent you from absorbing them all in your drugstream. One-A-Day and generic forms of it should be okay, though I take it an hour or two after the rest of my meds to be safe.

If you're off ADD meds then surely that's contributing to the fatigue too, right? There's lots of different ADD meds, if insurance doesn't cover a specific one I'm betting you could switch to something else if that's the case.

Definitely make sure it's not a deficiency, of course, but if you're not finding anything then by all means, bring up the meds. I actually got the Nuvigil script from my psychiatrist. I'm not sure how he justifies it to insurance, but they can claim it's for depression, I think.