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Severe Fatigue and Weight Loss

Posted , 7 users are following.

danielle09286
danielle09286

Hi all, I have previously been diagnosed with anemia and have chronic headaches. I am currently taking iron supplements, and have been told by several doctors that I am no longer am anemic. However I am constantly fatigued. I'm currently a graduate student, and I am having a realy hard time concentrating on my studies because I'm so foggy and tired all the time. I sleep on average 8-9 hours a night and have had blood tests run for several autoimmune disorders, thyroid etc. I also have severe joint pain, and digestion problems and have lost a total of 20 pounds in 4 months with no change in diet or excercise, which is very atypical for me because I have been the same wieght for 6 years. I was wondering if anyone has had similar issues or any insight into what could be going on. Every doctor I have seen tells me it's because of anemia but then continues to tell me I am not anemic anymore. I feel like something is really off and it doesn't make much sense to me. Any suggestions would be great, this has been going on for quite some time. Thank you! 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • lester90053
    lester90053 danielle09286

    Posted

    Continuing to take iron when you are no longer anemic can cause other problems. Also if you are continually using eye drops, that can cause headaches.
  • debbie75601
    debbie75601 danielle09286

    Posted

    I am interested in what you find out, as I have been sick with these symptoms since January, and have lost almost 40 pounds. I've been to several doctors, had all kinds of tests ran, and nothing definitive yet. I have tested positive for autoimmune, but don't know which one(s) yet, see rheumatologist next month. What did your tests show so far? 
  • Marina_Dee
    Marina_Dee danielle09286

    Posted

    To Debbie and Danielle...has anyone mentioned CFS or ME? . The same condition but 2 names.     Chronic fatigue syndrome or   Myalgic encephalomyalitis.   Symptoms include joint pain, headaches and a 'foggy' feeling.   Patients often have no energy and just take to their beds.   Weight loss is fairly common.

    Often not considered by doctors as it is so difficult to diagnose and some clinicians are convinced it doesnt exist. So all other diagnoses are considered first.  May be worth a mention to your doctors or clinicians. Be prepared for some frowns.

    • debbie75601
      debbie75601 Marina_Dee

      Posted

      I am seeing a rheumatologist next month. My pain is mainly in my muscles, and I have hand tremors too. I also have chronic fatigue, headaches not much. Have looked at a bunch of diseases and symptoms, but wouldn't rule this out. Thank you. 
  • JackyF
    JackyF danielle09286

    Posted

    As to what these symptoms mean, I couldn't guess. I also agree that taking iron unnecessarily could cause some of those symptoms. One thing you could try (can't hurt and will likely help) is feverfew (tanacetum parthenium). It woks in either its fresh or dried state. Just a couple of leaves, chewed and swallowed, every morning help get rid of chronic headaches. They are fairly bitter, but not that bad. A friend of mine had suffered from truly debilitating migraines for over ten years, and none of the prescribed medications seemed to help. After a couple of weeks with the feverfew, the migrains stopped, and it's been almost a year since he had the last one. He, of course, still takes the feverfew every morning. I was thinking that your headaches could be the cause of some of your other symptoms.
  • gayle96515
    gayle96515 danielle09286

    Posted

    Hi Danielle

    Have you had your eyes checked because of the headaches?  Also, do you drink enough water during the day - not carbonated drinks or flavoured water or tea/coffee with milk but just water.  If you are dehydrated, you can get headaches.

    Also, you may be lacking in Vitamin B6, which you can buy from a health shop or online.  However, don't take excessively strong ones.  With joint pain - try the cod liver oil with Omega 3 and 6 in it and eat oily fish. 

    I used to suffer quite badly from amenia - I never took any tablets but I now eat prunes twice a day (tin variety ones), as the dried fruit has too much sugar. 

    In winter, I double up with Floradix (a liquid iron drink dervied from plant extracts) and that helps.

    Not sure about the weight loss but you could have an overactive thyroid gland.  Has your doctor tested you for this?

    Gayle

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