I really need some advice....!

Ok..I finally joined/rejoined after lurking for a week. You guys are so compassionate here and I am not usually very open to posting personal info on the net.
This is my problem. I have a history of Depression and Anxiety and take
meds for each.
I was diagnosed at age 17 with Mono and healed within a few months.
This condition is about to ruin my marriage. I finally went to my pdoc and general doc to tell them about how tired I was. I mean, I have had insomnia before and recovered within a few days but when CFS hits - I sleep literally for three days straight and nothing...I mean nothing will/can wake me up.
My general doc ran some bloodwork and said my Eppstein Barr Virus count was high and I should see a Rheumatologist.
I am trying but I now have been asked 3 times why do I need to see a specialist by the Rheumatologist's office. Unfortunately, all the great ones are booked for months and I am stuck??
Who should I visit for this problem. It is not depression bc there is such a difference in tired/fatigue/blah vs unable to physically wake up.


Thanks so much in advance for any help/ or anyone who can relate.

LD

Hi Laurie, Welcome to the forum, glad you decided to post. I can certainly understand your sleep problems. When I first came down with CFS all I wanted to do was sleep & lay in bed. I slept 19 to 48 hours at a time & still felt like I hadn't slept. Other times I had insomnia so bad that even though I was fatigued I couldn't sleep. I was so very tired all of the time, I had to work & I couldn't get out of bed & was always late & leaving work early. I ended up having to quit my job & am now on disability for CFS & Fibromyalgia. I am better since I don't have to be up at any specific time but I am still fatigued all of the time. I take 10mg Trazadone & a muscle relaxer, Tizanidine at night to sleep & it has helped me immensely. I have less pain now too. I am able to reach REM sleep & beyond, which I hadn't been able to reach before.

I also have depression & anxiety that I deal with. There definitely is a difference in the type of fatigue you feel with CFS. I would see a rheumatologist for this but don't be surprised if you come across one who doesn't "believe" there is such a thing. I have come across one who wanted to say it was just my Fibro but this is different. I was finally dx'd with CFS by a rheumatologist. The next best thing would be an internal medicine Dr. It may take some time to get in, but good ones often are.

I hope you keep posting & let us know how you are doing. Many hugs, Denise

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Fibromyalgia-dx'd: 2006, ME/CFS-dx'd: 2006, Holt-Oram Syndrome dx'd 1975, reduced lung capacity dx'd 2009, nasal allergies, food allergies, depression (lifetime problem) IBS, neuropathy in hips

I have 4 children & 7 grandchildren.

As apples of gold in silver carvings is a word spoken at the right time for it. Prov. 25:11