Unexplained fatigue, possible CFS?

Were there any previous triggers? (Flu, injury, stress). I know you mentioned your age, which can be relevant. Are you healthy weight? What are your eating habits? Did you take any antibiotics prior to the symptoms starting? How is your overall mood?

Hi nat-152001

i sympathise, it's hard to get to the root of Tiredness...it is such a misunderstood and poor description of something that is totally overwhelming when you have it.

Yes, I was diagnosed with CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia eight years ago and the feelings you describe are similar, plus in my case I also had sore throat, voice loss and swollen neck glands.

However I also have chronic Sleep Apnoea, in treatment with  CPAP nightly, so I wonder if in your case the 8.5hrs of sleep are good quality sleep or f you too have apnoeas which would severely impair your ability to function normally during the day.

Your GP should be able to refer you for tests. 

Good luck, it takes a long time to have all the necessary tests for CFS/ME as it is a "diagnosis by exclusión" ... all other possible diagnosis have to be checked out and discarded first.....then you are left with the very vague term " Chronic Fatigue".

Best wishes.... it's great your GP is not dismissive. 

It's possible that you have a condition that I was recently diagnosed with called May-Thurner Syndrome (Left Iliac Vein Compression). It's been causing me CFS for the past 25 years. Then about 2 years ago I started getting the brain fog, concentration and memory problems, Dizziness and Balance Issues, difficulty Breathing, and achy legs. It can also cause Pelvic Congestion Syndrome in Women and Vericocele Veins in Men.

This is how I discovered I had May-Thurner Syndrome. After I had a Vericocele Embolization about a year ago, an Interventional Radiologist told me I had severe compression of my Left Iliac Vein. Since I didn't have any of the "classic" symptoms of this condition such as blood clots and swelling of the legs, no doctor would ever think of this condition.

After a simple stenting procedure for this condition, almost overnight every problem I was having started to disappear. Blood began flowing normally again and the brain fog was gone, I could breathe so much better, my legs didn't ache anymore and the fatigue started to fade away.

I've read at least one other story of another lady with almost the same identical story. She went in for what she thought was an unrelated vein procedure and ended up getting diagnosed with May-Thurner Syndrome. After she had a stent placed her CFS was gone overnight. I also met another lady that I've become good friend with that was recently diagnosed with May-Thurner Syndrome and another similar condition called Nutcracker Syndrome. She has CFS as well and knows that May-Thurner Syndrome can cause Chronic Fatigue, Cognitive Dysfunction, Anxiety and Depression, all problems I've had most of my life. So there's obviously more to May-Thurner than blood clots and swollen legs, especially if you don't have blood clots. I asked my doctor about MTS and CFS. He told me he didn't know of any connection but that MTS "Can certainly drain you of energy".

It's just my personal opinion but I would recommend at least ruling out this condition as well as the Nutcracker Syndrome (Left Renal Vein Compression). This condition has also been linked to CFS as well. It might just save you 25 years of Extreme Fatigue and misery. An Interventional Radiologist or Vascular Surgeon are the kind of doctors that deal with these conditions. A Pelvic Venogram is the gold standard for diagnosing this condition. They can measure the exact amount of compression of this vein and place a stent if needed. Hope this might help as I know from personal experience many doctors don't even know what this condition is let alone the many problems it can cause.