Chronic fatigue (not diagnosed) and frustrated.

Brain and nerves
1

Hi,I'm a twenty four year old female. I have a history of extreme anxiety. I suffered badly with it at 18 where i could not leave the house for 6 months. There was a lot of trouble at home because of this. I eventually moved out with college students and did not get the rest i really needed after going through that.

My health has been declining since And this year has gotten alot worse. Temperature regulation is my main problem along with fatigue. I cannot stay warm at night, but i also overheat if i just pile the blankets on. SO frustrating. As i do not sleep because of it and sleep at least makes me feel half human.

I'm super irritable too and it causes me to push people away, mainly my boyfriend. Any tips for dealing with the moods this causes, or how to communicate with people?

I feel like no one understands, and I'm truly alone. I feel guilty because I'm depressing to be around and to talk to, and i'm just a downer to my family as I don't have much to say because this dominates my life!

I feel like everyone is waiting for me to get over it and only want to know me if i act well, which isn't the truth and makes me feel worthless when I don't feel well.

My bloods tests are "fine" Although everything wbc, rbc, electrolytes etc come up on the lower end of the reference ranges.

I am cold all the time with out hot water bottle and layers and layers.

I am anxious most of the time as this is really scary. And makes me feel very alone, has anyone found anxiety increasing their symptoms or is it just a side effect?

I just don't know what to do, i feel like I'm dying slowly alone and I don't have a clue what steps to take to manage this.

I have a lot of weakness but doctors never know whats going on so i feel quite helpless.

How do I get a diagnosis/ taken seriously?

2

I'm so sorry you're having to deal with all this. It sounds like you have a lot going on, and it's sometimes hard to think clearly when you're overwhelmed. It's totally understandable that you would feel overwhelmed, given your symptoms. Where do you live? If you're in the U.S., I might be able to recommend specific specialists who can give you a diagnosis. You've mentioned that you've had bloodwork, so I'm assuming you've had a complete blood panel done, and everything came back relatively normal. Since you posted on this forum, I also assume you suspect ME/CFS. So you need to see either an infectious disease doctor (which I recommend) or a rheumatologist. Fatigue and difficulty with body temperature are symptoms of this illness. But they could be related to other illnesses as well. It's hard to say from your post if it really sounds like ME/CFS. For instance, do you have post-exertional fatigue? In other words, when you do the slightest activity, do you get tired? That's one of the hallmarks of this disease. Anxiety can also be caused by ME/CFS, though you say you had anxiety before the onset of your fatigue. I think it's very important to find a way to lower your anxiety level, for your general well-being, and because anxiety can exacerbate the symptoms of any illness--especially ME/CFS. Some non-medical things to try: meditation, yoga (if you're able), deep breathing exercises, listening to music, or talking to a counselor or support group. Of course, meds are a possibility, but I found I could not tolerate any of the many drugs I tried. Meditation has helped me in a big way. Once you get an understanding doctor (and I hope that's not an oxymoron), get a solid diagnosis, and begin to deal with your anxiety, I think communication with your boyfriend and others will improve. Best of luck to you. You don't have to do this alone. We're all here on this forum, and we understand.

3

One of the signs for me with my CFS that I am really tired is that I feel VERY COLD.  I then head for my bed and get some good sleep. I might still feel tired but the extra rest means that I don;t feel like I am in a freezer.

If you are anxious, whatever your problem, it will always make it worse. You do need to learn to relax and not worry, easier said than done, I know.

4

Hello

I'm sorry you are having such a tough time, it's hard when it feels like no-one is listening or helping you to feel better.

I have only just got diagnosed (Oct 5th) after two years of feeling like something wasn't right. At first I was diagnosed with PND in 2013, after the birth of my second son. Then my symptoms slowly worsened and I was told my it was low iron stores & side effects from my depression medication. So I stopped all meditation except my Iron tablets and I got no better. In fact by the end of the summer holidays 2015, I felt as if I had flu and it didn't go, it just lifted somewhat. And now my days are never pain free. Eventually in July 2015 I got referred to a rheumotogist, after some strange blood results.

My symptoms, as described to the rheumetologist are as follows : fatigue and memory problems. Sometimes I Find conversation difficult, especially on the phone.

I wake up with body and joint aches that worsen. I have a three storey house, I find the second set of stairs difficult - as if I have lead legs. Feeling hot & cold with clammy sweats. Just feeling generally run down like flu.

I have IBS which seems at times to be causing malabsorption, leaving me at present a Vit D deficiency and again, low iron stores.

There are so many more symptoms I could point out but I'd be here all day. I've been told M.E patients symptoms can vary from day to day and from one another.

I just wsnt to say take things slowly and keep going back to your doctor. It took me two years, and keep in mind there's no test fot M.E, so it's a slow elimination process.

Take care. X