Help me feel better, my physical health is terrible.

I once wrote a thread about being depressed and a lot of people responded. And in the end in looked like it helped a lot of people. So I figured I would try this again. And it's going to be a long post.

So as the title says, I feel terrible. To more accurately describe it, I'm tired all the time. I'll describe the symptoms as best as I can, and then I'll try to list the things I've done to try and figure out what is wrong with me.

First, I never feel rested. No matter how much I sleep I never feel alert and rested. I also regularly want to go to sleep during the day. The longer I wait without caving in, the more my personality changes and I become meaner and meaner, less able to do anything other than go to sleep. Now this isn't a I didn't get enough sleep type of tired, it's a my body is exhausted type tired.

My libido is also gone.

I also can't focus and my cognitive functions are way lower than they used to be. I have a degree in Computer Science and Math, and I never had to study. I picked up on things very quickly and now I struggle to process things. My reading comprehension is lower and my general speed on understanding things. It seems my memory is also worse.

This is ruining my life and no one can seem to tell me what is wrong with me, below are the things I've had check/tried.

1. Gastrointestinal test: everything is good
2. Stress test /EKG: everything is good
3. General blood work: vitamin levels are good
4. Sleep study: sleep better than most people
5. Psychological evaluation: I'm not depressed
6. Cortisol test: normal
7. Thyroid: normal
8. Cortisol test: normal
9. Hormones: free testosterone is higher than normal, and other levels are balanced
10. Removed grains/starches/sugars from my diet as part of the GI test for 2 months as well as taking vitamins: No effect on the way I felt
11. Exercised regularly: I had to stop because I would fall asleep at work

From what I can tell this has been going on with a great severity for about 3 years, perhaps longer but it's hard for me to say because it's been so long. FYI, I'm 34 now. Also it's only been within the past half year or so that I've tried to manage it because I can't seem to make it go away.

By manage it I mean that I just accept that I have to crash out. And my friends understand that if I don't I end up not being a nice person or even being able to function.

It's pretty much ruining my life. The cognitive part is very scary to me, and the fact that I have no energy makes me not even want to take a vacation because I won't be able to enjoy it. I can barely read a book and I don't even enjoy playing games like I used to because it's like I'm in a fog because of the way my body feels.

So here is my call for help. I've gone to a lot of doctor's and I've spent a lot of money trying to figure out what's wrong with me. I wanted to write this post a long time ago but I have a hard time doing much of anything because of my mind. But my call for help is now because I think I'm about to give up, I don't know what else to do, and I've spent so much money trying to figure out what's wrong.

If you know of THE doctor that will be able to help, even if I have to fly to see them or whatever, but they can help me please let me know. I don't want to slowly wither away like this, I want my life back. I apologize if the message is disjoint.

Do you maintain a regular sleep schedule? For example, sleeping in on weekends is just like changing time zones.

How do you wake? Alarm clock, or light? There are devices that can wake you by simulating dawn, which is an easier transition.

What does your GP say? He/she must have some thoughts after all these tests.

You have to have thought of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, right? Where did that go?

I dunno, I'm just shooting in the dark here.

My sleep schedule is pretty regular except on weekends I sleep longer because I'm exhausted. My GP kind of just shrugs his shoulder's which is what most doctors do at this point. The doctors that have tried to help me won't say CFS because that's just a general diagnose for something they're not sure what it is.

I even saw one study a doctor did where 40% of the patients surveyed who were diagnosed with CFS had parasites causing their symptoms. I don't have parasites, at least not in the stomach according to the GI test.

With all the usual disclaimers about not being a doctor, this being my own experience, etc., the stuff I found most useful in the energy department comes out of this.

The thyroid stuff, if you needed it, would of course be prescription, but the rest you can get from GNC or Amazon. Give them a try, the worst that can happen is it doesn't really do anything for you... it won't do anything harmful.

d-ribose (this sh*t has changed my life, srsly)
CoQ10
L-carnitine
NADH (optional but my MD told me to add it)

That being said, remember that thyroid and cortisol tests especially often show "normal" when you're not actually normal at all, so check up on the symptoms too and not just test levels.

If you're willing to travel and can't find a doc that will listen I'm happy to recommend mine, but Dr. Teitelbaum (dude who wrote that book) does phone consults if you just need someone taking notes and prescribing tests and stuff for your insurance.

Zedian you mention your free test is higher than normal, how much higher? Have you ever had your E2 or estradiol (estrogen) levels checked?

Gumbie wrote:

Zedian you mention your free test is higher than normal, how much higher? Have you ever had your E2 or estradiol (estrogen) levels checked?

Yeah they checked that as part of the testosterone test to make sure things were in balance. At least they said they did. So many tests!

Zedian wrote:
Gumbie wrote:

Zedian you mention your free test is higher than normal, how much higher? Have you ever had your E2 or estradiol (estrogen) levels checked?

Yeah they checked that as part of the testosterone test to make sure things were in balance. At least they said they did. So many tests!

The reason I ask is because when you have excessive amounts of free test it gets converted to estrodiol which will make you feel like sh*t, big time. I know because I'm going through it right now. Have you had any signs of gynecomastia? (man boobs).

Also if you don't mind me asking what were your total test and free test levels when you got them checked?

Maybe move to a different climate? Perhaps it's something in your environment, water or something. Take a vacation

I had similar symptoms. The end result of testing was 1. Cancer. Got that sorted and didn't feel better. 2. Thyroid. Got that sorted and still didn't feel 100%. 3. Cutaneous Lupus. Got that sorted and now I feel pretty good unless it is a bad autoimmune day. Could also be allergies. Good luck!

Yeah a lot of CFS stuff winds up down the autoimmune rabbit hole. Give that book a read, though, and see if any of that stuff helps. Plus what Gumbie said.

A lot of docs throw up their hands at this point, but if you're willing to put on your own detective hat there's still plenty of hope. PM me if you need to vent... I've spent a couple years tinkering with this stuff specifically.

A friend of mine had those symptoms, granted with him it was a side-effect of some prescription medication he was taking. You say that you are not depressed...I assume that they tested for other things as well?

mudbunny wrote:

A friend of mine had those symptoms, granted with him it was a side-effect of some prescription medication he was taking. You say that you are not depressed...I assume that they tested for other things as well?

I'm guessing so, I went to a psychologist for a while. Because I initially though that might be what was causing me to feel tired.

Have you explored acupuncture or osteopathy?

N/M reading comprehension fail.

Just some rambling thoughts...

My wife was on an anti-depressant (Zoloft? Prozac? Can't remember...) and was going through some somewhat similar issues. Her doctor recommended sublingual liquid B12. If you take B12 as a vitamin pill, your body only absorbs 1% of it through the GI. With the sublingual liquid B12, you place a dropper full under your tongue for a minute or two so it can absorb directly into your blood stream. About 15 minutes later, you'll start feeling a bit peppy as your metabolism kicks in. I've started taking it too.

Just curious but are you yawning a lot? My Mom was having some heart rhythm issues which caused her to be constantly tired, fall asleep at the red lights, yawn all the time. It was her body's response to low blood oxygen levels. She ended up having to have a pacemaker put in to keep her heart in sync and the problems immediately went away.

Narcolepsy?
Sleep apnea?
Mold in your house?
Allergies? (My sister just found out that her chronic bronchitis and asthma were because she was allergic to the cat she's had for 6 years).

Other thoughts... go to a neurologist and consider getting a CAT Scan or MRI done...

Good luck Zed

Nothing to add to the discussion, but this sounds awful. Good luck figuring it out and kicking whatever it is Zedian!

I wish you the best, friend.

I do wish to add that your testosterone level might actually be quite low even though your doctor said it was high. The range that doctors use to diagnose testosterone problems is utterly silly. I was told I had normal testosterone levels even though I was in the bottom 5% of the male population for my age group. So if you can, please try to find out what your test levels were and report back here.

Following Mex's idea, have you been living in the same location all 3 years? Have you had a chance to do any traveling, and if so, did you notice any change in your symptoms while traveling? Considering all the typical causes have been ruled out, I can only wonder if there is some environmental quirk that is affecting you, like strange bacteria in your building's water supply. That sort of thing.

Also, and this is a silly question I know, but have you had the same bed all 3 years?

Did you have you iron levels or any viral serology done?

Anxiety? It's not all panic attacks and Xanax. Anxiety can cloud your mind and cause you to feel really fuzzy.

EDIT: One more suggestion - Have you been sleep studied? I felt much like this before my sleep apnea was diagnosed.

Yeah, I would have assumed that stopping breathing during your sleep was a likely cause but you said you've had a sleep study and that should have shown up.

I feel like I'm a somewhat similar case but nowhere near as severe. I can sleep 8-10 hours and people will still ask me if I went to bed late the night before. Of course, if I get less than 6 hours I feel even more tired.

I know this might sound like a silly advice for someone who feels tired, but have you tried working out? About a year ago I started going to the gym before work. Even though I get less sleep (have to get up 1 hour earlier), I am much more awake now when I start my work. And I also generally feel happier, more relaxed.

... or perhaps I am just an endorphin junkie by now.

Mr GT Chris wrote:

Yeah, I would have assumed that stopping breathing during your sleep was a likely cause but you said you've had a sleep study and that should have shown up.

Ugh. I missed that. Sorry.

MsbS wrote:

I know this might sound like a silly advice for someone who feels tired, but have you tried working out? About a year ago I started going to the gym before work. Even though I get less sleep (have to get up 1 hour earlier), I am much more awake now when I start my work. And I also generally feel happier, more relaxed.

... or perhaps I am just an endorphin junkie by now.

Zedian wrote:

11. Exercised regularly: I had to stop because I would fall asleep at work

Probably obvious, but how's your diet? Lots of fresh produce, fruits and leafy greens?

I notice a distinct, although minor compared to what you're describing, difference in my demeanour and energy levels when I'm eating like crap.

Hey guys thanks for the comments, keep them coming. I'll look for my results when I get home from work and try to respond then.

Has diet been ruled out? It could be food allergies or something else diet related.

fangblackbone wrote:

Has diet been ruled out? It could be food allergies or something else diet related.

It's a longshot. But once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth. For instance, I know my MIL gets migranes if she consumes substantial quanties of chocolate. It could be diet related.

Also, how is your hydration? Irritability, confusion, sleepiness...they're all signs of mild dehydration.

Have you talked to your doctor about taking a sleep test? It would be good to rule out things like sleep apnea if you haven't already.

Granath wrote:

It's a longshot. But once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth. For instance, I know my MIL gets migranes if she consumes substantial quanties of chocolate.

Nothing improbable about that--chocolate is a common migraine trigger.