Can anyone tell me how to combat fatigue and weakness so great that you barely can walk up a flight of steps.. its like you have nothing in your body energy wise at all and even talking makes me tired. Some of you already know me here, I'm on and off of the board, but haven't been on lately.. Been treated for lyme and Babesia.. been sick for over 10 years.. continuing to work through it but this last bout of the fatigue I was out of work on and off for 4 days (and a weekend in between) where I felt like death. I did find out that I had been carrying a fever for probably over a week of 101 (which is high for my body, normally 97) and had a urinary infection. Do you think that just the stress of that could have totally wiped me out? Its hard for me to go through this, esp. with 2 children ages 7 and 10 and working. I tend to get very emotional and weepy thinking I am on my last leg (because it feels like it!)
I did have every blood test in the book run again, CBC, Sed Rate, LFT, Chem 7, SPEP, Hormones, Cortisol, ANA Compliment Profile, ACTH, TSH... all normal... my lyme doctor said it was just the combination of the fever and the continual battling of the lyme and it was overload on my system. Does anyone else ever get like this and how do you manage to keep it all together mentally physically and emotionally?
Thanks for any words of wisdom or encouragement!
Stephanie
Posted by FaithHope (Member # 1487) on :
Just wanted to bring this back to the top... hopefully someone will reply! Thanks.
Stephanie
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I'm taking NT Factor and have felt more normal than I have in years. You have to get it through a doctor to get the full strength stuff. It's GREAT!
Posted by kayru (Member # 2749) on :
hi faith hope,
i wish i could give you some magic trick that would help you ot some kind of wisdom to make you feel better, i can only tell you you are not alone, which i know is of no comfort right now because i can feel your frustration through your post.
i have been dealing with this rotten disease for 17 years now and the bouts of fatugue continue to be one of the worst things.
you may have already tried this, but i was taking b12 injections at home for a while and it did help. it is easily prescribed and the pharmacy gives it in tiny bottles that have one dose each. you can buy the alreay made up needles and syrignes right there and teh needle is so small it does not hurt at all.
i also start every day with a protien drink. i mix it up with different berries, and flax seed. be sure and get the crushed flax seed because the seeds are impossibe to crush even in the blender. i use yogart, fresh fruit. flax seed, protien powder (most health food stores have lots of choices) just ask someone for a basic protien powder. don't fall for the most expensive, just look for the protien content. some are really expensive and unnecessary, the object is to get enough to start your day without having to eat a bunch of stuff you don't have time or energy for.
you may be reading this and thinking..yeah, right...and believe me, it doesn't make you jump up and down with energy. it happens over time and i STILL fight fatigue every day. i drink TONS of water and also take b12 tablets that i chew. they are easy to find. you don't have to get that kind, they come in tablet forms.
you have to find some way to sleep enough at night to help. this was impossible for me without the help of ambien. i started sleep walking on the ambien and had to switch to lunesta. i still only stay asleep about 5 hours, but i use to sleep for only one or two.
last thing.....i DO feel your frustration and you can email me and we can talk more. i have other things i try but don't want to overwhelm you here. no one thing works, it is a combination and an actual comittment to a lifestyle change. i know you have kids and that makes it very hard.
sorry about any bad spelling here guys...one of my big problems since the lyme and i don't know how to spell check in these posts. does any one else know how?
faithhope you are in my thoughts
peace,
kathy
Posted by Vermont_Lymie (Member # 9780) on :
Hi FaithHope,
while there are supplements that can help -- the B vitamins, siberian ginseng, acetyl-l-carnitine, continuing lyme treatment, it really is an integrated approach that is needed to deal with fatigue.
It helps to develop a long-term multifaceted approach. You have a heavy load with work and two children. A supportive family environment, with friends, relatives and neighbors who can help when you need to rest sounds critically important.
Continuing good nutrition and getting enough sleep are essential. If you can cut back a bit on full-time work hours, that could help to organize the shopping and cooking needed to get good nutrition.
A high-protein diet has helped me as well.
Exercise, which is probably built into your life with young children, is also essential to curbing fatigue. A long walk in the morning or work-out in the gym helps all day long.
This is all very general advice I realize, major points nevertheless. While I have had the same level of fatigue that you mention, the only way that I have been able to overcome that fatigue is through this long-term approach of trying to reduce stress, emphasize good nutrition and exercise, and long-term antibiotic treatment along with nutritional supplements for treating lyme and co-infections.
That said, some supplements really do assist on a daily basis: NADH, methyl B-12, acetyl-l-carnitine, siberian ginseng. My doctor recommended rhodiola, but I have not tried it. I added forskolin recently and that seems to give a bit of an energy boost.
Fatigue is just a symptom of underlying health problems, and addressing those are the way to go. best wishes.
Posted by FaithHope (Member # 1487) on :
Thanks to all of you for your responses. I am really struggling right now with the whole "lyme" thing... you would think after dealing with it for over 10 years I would be used to it.. but each time I have a small relapse it affects me physically AND emotionally... I think I am way to emotional... I am 44.. and the doctors say I am peri medapausal (spl?)... so that could be contributing to things too... I really do appreciate all of you and your support.. just knowing that I am not the only one going through some of these things helps me...
I may email you at some point Kathy if you want to send me your email... mine is a work one, it is [email protected]..
Thanks again for all... I keep all of you in my prayers .
Stephanie
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Have you been treated for babesia??
I would think that your infection really set you back. Hang in there!!!
Posted by FaithHope (Member # 1487) on :
Hi Lymetoo,
Yes, I have been treated for Babesia, but thanks for checking.... I will email you then...
Stephanie
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Duh me....now I see it! Posted by catalysT (Member # 10786) on :
Fatigue and weakness suck, I've tried everything, at the moment I just have to live with it I guess.
I like NT Factor as well and have had some good reports from people that it ART tested well on. One place you can get it is http://www.delicatebalance.biz 6 capsules a day. Corvalen is another good option.
Posted by kayru (Member # 2749) on :
faithhope,
my email is [email protected]. i am also dealing with crazy hormones, i just turned 50. i also understand the depression because i too have been dealing with this for years....17...and i go through so many ups and downs and i always think i am over the worst and then something knocks me out.
email me anytime. wish i could help more.
kahty
Posted by kayru (Member # 2749) on :
hey thanks catalysT, i will look into it, i have macintosh so some things don't work for me.
i use to get really embarassed about my spelling and forgetting simple grammar rules and it kept me from posting..now i just deal with it. i can't help it and i think most here understand.
the WEIRDEST of all is i go blank on compund words. i find it so interesting that certain parts of the brain are effected. i can NEVER remember when it is sometimes...or some times...everyone or every one, etc. isn't that a weird thing?
sorry, got off topic for here but thanks again catalysT
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