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Suffering with fatigue for 2 years. Starting to cause me to become depressed.

Posted , 11 users are following.

wamid12
wamid12

I'm 19 years of age. Symptons:

-Fatigue

-Heavy eyes

-Dry eyes

-Dark yellow urine

-Poor memory and loss of words. (BRAIN fog)

-Not feeling refreshed after at least 7 hours of sleep.

- Thirsty all the time and hungry even after eating and drinking.

I am becoming depressed due to the fact that I am 19 and instead of living my life like I should be, all I am thinking about is how long it is until I go to sleep. I have no answers for whyi feel this way,nor the doctors. I went for a blood test a year ago and it came back with nothing. I'm posting this new discussion as I have noone left to turn to..any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

2 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

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  • chris1303
    chris1303 wamid12

    Posted

    Hi, I'm sorry to hear it's not sorted after a year or so.

    You really must go back to your Dr and get a full blood screen for starters including a check for diabetes. The dark urine, tiredness and thirst could be symptoms of this and if not a blood screen of liver function and urine test would help eliminate such things.

    Make an appointment today!

    Regards

    Chris

  • boni333
    boni333 wamid12

    Posted

    You sound like it might be ME/CFS. I have a the same symptoms. But, before a doc or anyone can DX you there is a process of elimination. I was told the there are other illnesses the have similar or the same symptoms and they have to be eliminated first. For me when I was dx'ed there was no one that believed in CFS but a hand full of docs so every time they tested me I was hoping it to be positive, even MS. I just wanted a name of something.

    It's still hard to find a doc in your area to DX but not impossible. I found a group therapy CFS group and they gave me the names of docs to go to locally. Try not to let it get the better of you, stress triggers a flare up. I had to accept my illness before I could move on. I went to counculling for many years to help with my depression and was in meds for it. Chronic illness creates depression. I had to make sure the councilor believed in CFS or it could have hurt me.

    In the meantime take care of yourself and listen to your body. When your tired, rest or go to bed. When you have brain fog, stop trying to get it or stop what your doing and concentrate. The more you take care if you the better you'll feel, eventually but it won't get worse. It's hard to not push yourself but try not to.

    Good luck

    Bonnie

  • toni62403
    toni62403 wamid12

    Posted

    Hi there, 

    I'm sorry to hear you're having a tough time. I'd recommend going back to your Dr. and take a list of your symptoms with you and information on how long you have been experiencing symptoms.

    I have had approximately 5-6 blood tests - the initial test they provide will not cover everything. Keep going back. Oftentimes the road to CFS diagnosis is a long one. In my case since becoming unwell in Sept 2014 elimination is still ongoing. It is also worth mentioning that the state of your physical health is having an impact on your mental wellbeing. Personally, I found CBT great for helping me cope with the psychological strain of feeling unwell all the time.

    Best of luck!

  • wamid12
    wamid12

    Posted

    Hi all and thank you for your replies. The last time I visited my doctor he seemed really fed up. It made me feel that I was being a little bitch, excuse the french. He said you've already had blood tests but I guess if you want another I'll put you in for another whilst rolling his eyes. He said its down to my lack of exercise and that's it. Now I'm nervous about going to my doctor and asking for more tests.

    Also I'm only 19 and so I don't earn enough money to turn to private doctors..

    What would your advice be? If the same ( visit the doctors)what should I say? What tests should I ask for?

    Also I did go to sleep when I felt tired but because I feel tired all the time I seemed to get nothing done which led to me feeling down and lacking in motivation.

    Thank you.

    • jackie00198
      jackie00198 wamid12

      Posted

      I don't know what specific tests are included in a "complete" blood workup, but that is what you need. After I had such a workup done, I had to go to a specialist, because the GP's I went to kept telling me it was all in my head. So insulting! Given that my bloodwork was all negative, and after asked me a series of questions, the specialist diagnosed me with ME/CFS after about 20 minutes. Can you get referrent by you GP to a specialist or an ME/CFS clinic? In the meantime, in case it is ME/CFS, get plenty of rest and pace yourself, There is no cure for this illness, but it can go away by itself.
    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS jackie00198

      Posted

      I agree with you about the ME specialist diagnosis Jackie.

      I don't think it goes away by itself though; a couple of people I know who've got better said they worked on their diet, took supplements etc. I have a book of 50 ME sufferers who recovered and they all say they used some kind of diet, herbs or therapy or something to get well. It takes some work apparently.

      Some of my symptems have improved but only because of the herbs and diet, and avoiding toxins in my home and life generally.

    • LaszloLH
      LaszloLH wamid12

      Posted

      Hi,

      Sorry to hear your situation.

      I sure would not go back to that doctor. He basically said "I did what I could" Supportive doctor is hard to find, but the first point is that you don't feel you are bothering him! You have a condition. Maybe CFS maybe not, but further investigation is needed and he gave up on you.

      If your body is asking for water and food and rest, give it. That's my opinion. Yes, you should be full of energy at 19, but you are not, so rest 10 hours if you can. and continue to see doctors.

    • Retriever
      Retriever wamid12

      Posted

      I feel so sorry for your situation at such a young age. I have had a return of this illness after 20 yrs but then I am 78yrs old. You have got to believe you will get better. To say don,t get depressed is to much to ask but try and keep as much control as you can. It will go up and down. I have no idea what my future will be but I am sure you have a better chance than I have of getting better.

      ALL THE LUCK IN THE WORLD. 

  • MsGregor
    MsGregor wamid12

    Posted

    Hi!

    My life for 4years+ too...after years of doctors and tests (IBS, brain fog, fatigue...) I just got diagnosed with Hashimoto's (thyroid autoimmune disease). Get your thyroid checked! Not only hormone levels but also antibodies!

  • Izzie_Lizzie
    Izzie_Lizzie wamid12

    Posted

    Hi there,

    first of all - hang in there.

    Secondly go and see your GP.  You need a diagnosis.  If your GP drags their feet after this length of time go to another. You need to dig deep to get the energy for this but you must as it might not be M.E. at all or even if it turned out to be M.E. you might have something that there is treatment for.

    My heart goes out to you.  It is so unjust being ill at any age but especially 19. 

    But you will get through it.

    Hang in there,  take care,  hugs 

     

  • wamid12
    wamid12

    Posted

    Thank you once again. As a 19 year old I am in wise to how the NHS service works in the UK. Can you simply just go to a different GP or do you have to register to another gp?

    Also I am ill every month. It ranges from a common cold or being bed ridden for a couple of days with dizziness, sore throat and swearing. Is this also a symptom of ME/CFS?

    If there is no diagnosis to me and cfs how do you know you have it?

    What shall I ask my doctors for..as in tests?

    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS wamid12

      Posted

      Swearing? Yes, Lol lovely typo. Did you mean sweating?

      I just want to say that there's hope. There's research being done and because you're so young I think you have a good chance of recovery, especially if you're on a good diet? I know of some people who've got better and they both say diet was a key factor, if not the.

      I use herbs, which help with some of my symptoms and I'm sure other people do different things that help them. It's a matter of finding out what works for you. I hope you get a diagnosis soon; that way you can get on with trying to get better. 

    • jackie00198
      jackie00198 wamid12

      Posted

      Yes, all the symptoms you mention are typical for ME/CFS. For more information on this illness, go the the website of the "Solve ME/CFS Initiative." They have lots of good information.
    • Elmo69
      Elmo69 wamid12

      Posted

      Hi,

      How's it going? Have you been back to GP yet?

      If there is more than one doctor at your surgery you can ask to see any of them. If you only have the one GP you will have to register at a different surgery.

      Most GP's know very little about ME/CFS or even that there is a clinical guideline to follow to assist diagnosis and management. These guidelines can be found on the NICE website, just do a search for NICE guidelines for ME/CFS. Print off and take to next appt with your doctor.

      Hope things get sorted out for you. I have some concern about my 17yr old daughter and her similar symptoms. I have just been diagnosed with CFS/ME and aware there can be a genetic link and she has been very ill over the past three years with mental health problems and stress.

      Life can be very hard! Try to stay positive - there are many people on these forums supporting you! :-)

  • jackie00198
    jackie00198 wamid12

    Posted

    Did you have a complete blood workup when you went for a blood test? If you did, you may very well have ME/CFS. You symptoms do sound classic for the illness. One other red flag for this illness: postexertional fatigue. Do you get fatigued after you exert yourself? GP's don't typically know about ME/CFS. You should go to a specialist to get diagnosed. An infectiously disease doctor is optimal, though a rheumatologist would be ok too. In the meantime, the best way to manage this illness is to get plenty of rest, pace yourself, and above all, don't try to push through the fatigue. Also, de-stress in whatever way you can. Stress can greatly exacerbate symptoms. That can make the illness a lot worse and make recovery more difficult. And you can recover. People do. 
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