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Please help me understand what is going on with me! So much fatigue and no answers. I need you all

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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Posted 6/29/2010 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
I am a 24 year old man who is suffering from fatigue on a daily basis and I have no idea why. Every morning I wake up feeling exhausted and I dread beginning my day. I have a pretty good job for my age but it's not too stressful and intelligence wise I am more than capable of handling the required responsibilities. However, each and every day I am overwhelmed by fatigue and it affects me in all areas of life. When I'm tired I don't want to talk to anyone, I can't concentrate on my work, and I feel depressed because of this. Here is what I have tried in terms of getting help:

-Sleep Study
-Depression meds (Welbutrin and Zoloft)
-Many ADHD meds (Adderall, Methylphenidate, Vyvanse, etc...)
-B-12, ginseng, fish oil, ginkgo biloba, multi vitamin
-Nuvigil and Provigil
-General blood work

According to the results of the sleep study I have "mild sleep apnea" but from what I have heard, the majority of people who decide to get sleep tests often come out with a recommendation to get a CPAP device, no matter how bad the apnea is. It was extremely difficult for me to sleep in a lap hooked-up to 1,000 different wires and someone watching me with a camera. I've tried to use the CPAP on a few different occasions for around 2 weeks each time and I just can't get used to it. I'm tempted to try again and try harder this next time but I'm wondering if mild apnea could be causing the high levels of fatigue I'm experiencing.

The depression meds didn't really do much. I gave Zoloft a shot for a pretty long period of time and I didn't really notice a difference. I have a lot going for me in my life and I don't think I would be depressed if I wasn't tired all the time. But I'm not really sure about this either...it's the whole chicken or the egg argument: is the depression causing the fatigue or am I depressed because of the fatigue? I tend to think the latter but I realize it could be a chemical imbalance of some sort.

I'm currently taking adderall to get me through the day and I absolutely can not stand it. I don't eat on it, it makes me anxious, it makes me more tired overall (because of when it wears off), it gives me weird bathroom habits, changes my body temperature, and most importantly, really affects my mood. I recently had a lumbar spinal fusion surgery and I was off from work for about 7 weeks and over that period of time I didn't take any adderall at all. I must say I was a pretty happy camper (although it may have been because of the pain meds). I only take it because I feel as if I have no other choice at this point. I would do anything in the world to get off this drug and still be able to get through the day.

I've seen a rhumatologist and a few primary care physicians that have run blood tests on me and reported negative results. The rhumatologist thought I was just depressed but I tried those and they didn't really work. One thing I haven't done is tested for Lyme's disease.

I just don't get it. Growing up as a kid I never really had severe problems with fatigue...until college which is when I started taking ADHD meds to study and then ultimately I got prescribed to them because I couldn't get through life without them. I've tried many times to quit and have had no success whatsoever.

I haven't been able to break a good sweat in a long time because of my back problems (I have spondylolisthesis) but I'm not sure sure that once I can exercise again it will magically cure the fatigue. Time will tell. The back has also been a massive mood dampener for 3-4 years now because it's chronic pain and it doesn't mesh well with the fatigue. Having no energy affects a person in so many ways....I just have the hardest time making it through the day each day and am begging anyone and everyone out there who may be able to point me in the right direction. Thanks so much to those who take the time to read this!
Posted 7/1/2010 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
I probably can't help you much because I have been suffering from chronic fatigue for almost 6 years. I can't begin to tell you what it has done to my life..

I started out with a 24 flu in November 2004. The symptoms went away the next day but I was left with hands that were very stiff and sore (10 months), muscle twitching/cramping in my left calf and most of all the FATIGUE.

I was previously very healthy, happy and had just started running 6 months prior. I have not been the same since this flu...

To write down all the testing I have had would take up way too much space but I have had it all..including just last week a sleep study (no apnea present).

I wake up tired and it just gets worse as the day goes on. I never feel rested from sleeping even though I take lunesta. I am just so darn tired all day long and it is very hard to function and work. I don't really have a life because I don't have the energy. If I can go out and shop for an hour or two I am lucky.

I have no other symptoms other than chronic fatigue and my left calf symptoms...all the other symptoms I had just disappeared over time.

I was actually treated for Lyme for 30 months with no reduction in the fatigue at all..the abx actually made me feel even more tired. I tried provigil but when it started to wear off I crashed and felt so horrible.

I was on Wellbutrin for 2 years and that didn't really help. I wasn't depressed before I became sick...

I just don't know what to tell you but wanted to let you know I totally sympathize with you. I want to feel normal and like I did back in 2004 but I am beginning to think that is never going to happen.

I have spent well over 50,000 out of pocket on tests..doctors..medications and I still suffer daily.

If you would really like to know what tests I have had done I will be happy to list them...maybe one of them could help you.

Posted 7/27/2010 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hampton, I'm sorry you haven't been able to find a reason for the fatigue.  It seems you've seen so many doctors but haven't gotten a diagnosis with a helpful treatment plan.  You already probably know that most meds have some side effects, which might be what's happening in your case.  Cases of anxiety and depression can also create fatigue for no understandable reason, so many doctors try to treat anxiety and depression with different meds and therapy to see if they can alleviate the fatigue which might be caused by underlying reasons you might not realize exist.  I can only suggest another visit to your doctor for lab tests again and an in-depth discussion of your problems.  Sorry I can't be of more help.  I hope others more knowledgeable will have better answers for you.
Posted 7/30/2010 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Chronic Fatigue. Epstein Barr Virus. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome . Recently, in August 2009, a blood test revealed I had a very high number of active Epstein Barr Virus; my score was 30 times what it should have been (30 times high-normal). Treatment was infusions of Alpha Lipoic Acid for 5 days (an anti-oxidant, as best I understand it); followed by oral dosage (pills) of Alpha Lipoic Acid (purchased from the health-food store) and Pantothenic Acid (3 pills twice a day), plus lots of vitamins to bolster my immune system.
Here is what I took, but please not that I am NOT giving medical advice, merely describing the course of treatment administered to me. It worked. Eleven months later, I do not sleep except at night. It's been a miracle.
PANTOTHENIC ACID 500 MG. I take 3 PILLS TWICE DAILY.
Rebuild--osteopososis formula: a multivitamin from Metabolic Maintenance Company: 6 capsules daily.
Selenium 22 mcg tablets. I took two a day.Vitamin D --I take the 5000 IU strength because I suffer from chronic/acute pain. People without pain wouldn't want to do that, I imagine.
Magnesium Citrate from Metabolic Maintenance Co. 500 mg.
Alpha Lipoic Acid --Carlson Co. or Metabolic Maintenance Co.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is no joke. For months before diagnosis--yes, I went to several doctors who did not test for Chronic Fatigue--I slept and slept yet still wanted to sleep even more. Four months later, in December 2009, I don't feel the desperate need to sleep. I'm not a medical professional, and make absolutely no warranties or guarantees, but I want to give some help to anyone suffering as I was. There is hope. I am posting this in the hope that this information will help somebody somewhere.

I thank Dr. Burton Berkson, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
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