What the heck is wrong with me!!!!

Kim, I'm sorry you have been through so much in the past 4 years. I know how frustrating it can be to feel so sick and to have no answers as to what is wrong. I have found along the way that a lot of docs like to pass these kinds of symptoms off as depression, especially if they can't figure out what is going on. I always told doctors that I wouldn't feel depressed if my health was better and if I had the energy to do the things I enjoy I wouldn't be feeling down emotionally. I see depression more as the reverse - that when you are depressed it can cause fatigue, as opposed to what you are going through which is the fatigue causing your sad feelings. I think there is a huge difference. I wish I had some great advice for you, but CFS is so hard to diagnose. The one thing you might do, if you haven't already, is to see an infectious disease doctor - they are ones who are good at diagnosing CFS. I hope you get some answers soon. Hang in there and ask any other questions you might have. Take care.

Thank you hippimom - you hit the nail right on the head. I always believed that my fatigue predated my depression, but it seems that no one wants to hear me - and its a quick pill fix. I am sick of that. Hence my frustration. I've thought about seeing someone more specialized, but now that I have switched jobs and yet to be full time - I don't have insurance. I realize I am playing with fire, but I hope to be full time within the next month and a half. Maybe then I will rejuvinated into doing more research and pursuing a new MD. I would just like to know more about the herbal track, what worked for people, what didn't.

Thanks too mzredhead -
Most of my problem is fatigue fatigue fatigue. I sleep all the time. I've tried different lengths of time, to find whats best, but never feel refreshed when I get up. If I try to get up early, I am very unproductive during the day, and resign to taking a nap. My body feels like I am moving through sludge most days. I have been trying to exercise, but then my eyelids want to close and I take another nap. I've been taking supplements right along, and in the past few months have added melatonin to the list. Still can't peel myself from the bed. I envy those people that bounce out of bed in the morning all bright eyed and bushy-tailed. Mostly I get out of bed because of guilt, otherwise I would probably stay in it forever. I also can't function when I get home from work. My body is exhausted (I work 10 hours on my feet) and I will fall asleep on the couch. Forget making a meal or getting anything productive done until I do!
I am angry. I am sick of feeling like a 60 year old. Although most probably feel better than I. I am 28 years old and my life is on hold because of fatigue and frustration.
Lately I have been curious about Lupus. I have psoriasis, but the past 6 months I have had a strange rash on my chest that looks identical to the pictures I have seen on Subacute Cutaneous Discoid Lupus. Right now the psoriasis is localized on my scalp, although I have noticed some migration to the knees.
I was also diagnosed with Gilbert's "Syndrome" which over here they claim is nothing, but in the UK there is all sorts of information about fatigue and depression relating.
Yes, I had mono in college and my EBV titers are off the charts.

I know I have stressors in my life. And I am sure that that is part of the cause. But it seems that this sort of fatigue has gone on too long. I can't remember the last time I woke up and felt well-rested. That is very discouraging.
Thanks for listening...

Thanks Orion,

It seemed to have all started 4 years ago when I finished school and started my career, about 6 months in. I would just come home and lay down and feel very fatigued. Then it just seems to have persisted. I have been through a lot of stressful events in the past 4 years, and I am sure that has contributed. I've moved 7 times, moved in with someone I was in a 2 year serious relationship (that ended almost a year ago), moved twice since then, started a new job after some serious interoffice striffe at the old one (I was forced to resign because I was so unhappy), and now I am hoping to be settled soon after a career change a move all in the same month. It is a stressful job (emergency animal medicine) but something that I have wanted for a while now. I am only part time so financial stress does play a big role as well. I was in a minor car accident a year ago, my fault. So yeah, the stressors are a big part I am sure. But the fatigue seemed to pre-date all of that in the beginning.

The main symptom is fatigue, but I do seem to have muscle weakness. No stiff joints unless I am trying to run or high impact exercise. My lymph nodes are swollen under my chin. Lately I have noticed that when I go to bed I am breathing really fast and my heart is racing. It is probably anxiety, but I feel like I am lacking oxygen exchange. I've had both an ECG and stress test - but they seemed so rushed. Almost like they don't bother unless there is a huge abnormality. I was reading the posts about viruses attacking the heart, and trying the antiviral meds. I do have the new rash on my chest that looks like Discoid Lupus. Try this link to see...

http://dermis.multimedica.de/bilder/CD182/550px/img0038.jpg

its not quite that bad - but has the characteristics of that.


I was diagnosed with a sleep disorder a year ago after my second sleep study. The neurologist said that it was a type of parasomnia. My brain is not resting at night, therefore not leading to refreshing sleep. He told me to take valium everynight before I go to bed. I found that it made me very groggy the next day, so I stopped that. I don't know, maybe I should try it again.

I'm at my wits end. What is a D.O.?

Good link about adrenal fatigue. Once I get some cash, I will try a better diet too.

Hi Kim,
I think you might have Lyme Disease. I was diagnosed with CFS/fibromyalgia years before I found out I have Lyme. Your rash, heart symptoms and fatigue are indicative of Lyme. The nice thing about having Lyme is that it is treatable. Since it is caused by a bacteria, it can be killed. Unfortunately, the bacteria is very difficult to kill, but I have found a cheap, doctor-free way to do it. It is called the salt/Vitamin C protocol. You can read all about it at a Yahoo discussion group called LymeStrategies. Or email me at karenbaldauf@aol.com. Best wishes, Karen

kim, re; to the blanked portion edit will not allow the spelling because the first part is close to a dirty word
so look up in asian body work therapy the translation for finger pressure maybe i can spell it here a different way just use how it sounds when you say it " she ott sue" should be close
memphis