cactus
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7347
posted
Okay, every afternoon for the last few weeks, around 3 pm...
it feels like someone plugged a vacuum into my lower back and sucked out all the energy.
At that point, I am tired beyond tired, and feel completely wiped out.
Any thoughts on what's causing this? Even simple solutions?
Any tips on getting through it without developing a dependence on afternoon espresso? (kidding, mostly - I'm not planning on becoming an espresso addict, I know it's bad.)
-------------------- �Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Many things can cause this, so you will have to tell us more. For example, lyme disease causes a sudden loss of all energy. Are you currently treating lyme?
When I started treating babesiosis, I got suddenly sick (including total loss of energy) every Friday evening, just like clockwork. I learned from my lyme doc that babs has a 7-day cycle and that's what I was experiencing.
So, what changed in the last few weeks--when this started happening? Once you figure that out, then you can try to come up with a solution to it.
For the babs exhaustion, the solution was the addition of artimesinin. It worked immediately for me.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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cactus
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
I am still under the care of my LLMD, but currently not on abx for Lyme and co.
Lyme and co appear to be either in remission, or close to it, after lengthy treatment (since 2005).
I have some lingering bart-like symptoms, but for the most part am functioning in the 80 - 90% range most days.
Secondary to Lyme, I have Hashimoto's and Addison's. (my unwelcome Lyme souvenir)
Since posting, I am beginning to wonder if my thyroid or adrenal levels are off, and if I need to re-evaluate my doses.
It's possible that my cortef needs to be adjusted.
Any other ideas for the sources of afternoon fatigue would be appreciated.
-------------------- �Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005
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seekhelp
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Member # 15067
posted
When I took Mepron for a week, my legs got so heavy I could barely walk. Scary feeling, but probably consistent with TF's experience. My doc is not educated at all about ART so I need to add it on my own if I go back on meds (not a LLMD).
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
I think I read in that Bart/Babs symptom Questionnaire that was in "The Lyme Disease Solution" that Bartonella causes afternoon fatigue.
I'll see if I can find the info...
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Well, here's that list....my memory was wrong.
I think I must have been thinking about the late afternoon sweats.
seekhelp
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Member # 15067
posted
I have terrible afternoon fatigue ALWAYS at the same time frame (1-4 PM). I have wondered a long time why then?
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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cactus
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
seekhelp, yes - I too have experienced the Mepron fatigue. It can be incapacitating.
Fortunately, mine let up and after enough time on Mepron, I just felt better and better - so mine evidently was a herx.
Hoos, thanks for the list, it's a good one, and I needed to read it again.
The afternoon fatigue is accompanied by neuropathy-like tingling in the extremities, which certainly fits with TBDs.
Wish we could come up with a quick energy fix for these moments.
I still have provigil, leftover from the Mepron fatigue, but I hate to take a stimulant like that without knowing the cause of the fatigue first.
-------------------- �Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Its one of my noticeable symptoms, insane fatigue 1-5 pm. At its worst I could barely keep my eyes open( if I was at home I would just lay down and instantly pass out ) . Was nightmare working with it this summer. Popping provigil kinda helped not falling asleep (still couldn't do anything productive as brain fogged)
Posts: 856 | From MA | Registered: Jul 2009
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TerryK
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posted
Reactive hypoglycemia can cause this. You can crash about 3-4 hours after eating.
Consider eating smaller meals more frequently to see if that helps. Also, stay away from sugars.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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cactus
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7347
posted
Thanks, Terry!
I remember this from reading lots of Dr St Amand's articles way back when, on the fibromyalgia support boards!
(Doc S A is not an LLMD, I'm guessing it's okay to post his name here.)
I've been eating 6 mini-meals throughout the day... I love grazing.
Anyone with POTS know if this can be a symptom that we need to up our salt or fluid intake?
LLMD suggested that it might be a POTS issue, and suggested a med, starts with "m"... can't remember the name of it now...
-------------------- �Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005
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TF
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Member # 14183
posted
Page 17 of Burrascano (talking about lyme disease treatment):
"There are three things that will predict treatment failure regardless of which regimen is chosen: Noncompliance, alcohol use, and sleep deprivation. Advise them to take a break when (or ideally before) the inevitable mid afternoon fatigue sets in (napping is encouraged)."
So, he calls it "the inevitable mid afternoon fatigue."
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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Lymeorsomething
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posted
Check your adrenals too...along with thyroid...
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I have episodes of of feeling like all my energy is being sucked out. I always thought of a balloon deflating. I just want to hit the floor. There is no rhyme or reason to the fatigue. Around 3pm I will have increased symptoms. My jaw tightens, will feel my heart start to pound and burning sensations start in my legs and migrate around. My neck will start giving me fits too. I do not know why this happens around 3pm daily.
Posts: 383 | From Ar | Registered: May 2007
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feelfit
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Member # 12770
posted
I am or had been a 3 pm fatigue sufferer. I had to sleep everyday from about 3-5:30, sometimes later.
Since treating babesia, this symptom is mostly gone. The only time that I nap now is when I do not sleep more than 4 hours at night.
Oh, and mepron/zith did not take away the fatigue but malarone/biaxin did.
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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seekhelp
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posted
Feelfit, am I hearing you're improving? Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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