How tired is too tired?

[Live&DieBillsFootball]

For the past two years, I have felt tired so much of the time. No matter how much I sleep, it takes me a lot of coffee and other tricks to give me the energy to do what I need to do. I thought it was allergy medication, but now avoiding that doesn't seem to do the trick.

I have mentioned it in passing with a doctor when I have come in for other things, but they seem to ignore it.

 

I talk to people I know, and I they don't seem to have any advice other than sleep more and exercise, both things that I am doing. The only thing that seemed to happen at the same time of this is that my allergies got real bad, I graduated college, and am taking allergy shots.

I don't want this to seem like whining and it's weird to post this here, but has anyone had this problem before and if so, what was the solution? I am 24, but I feel like I have the energy of an old man at times lately.

746234[/snapback]

 

Fatigue is a symptom of so many different things, it may take a while to find the answer to yours. You need to do more than just mention it to your doctor in passing. If he doesn't show enough interest, you need to see another doctor who will take your problem seriously. Two years is a long time for someone your age to be so fatigued.

 

I have suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for the past 14 years. It took me several doctors to finally find a doctor who could diagnose it. Don't worry, if you had CFS, you would have a lot of other symptoms such as joint/muscle pain, sore throats, cognitive problems, etc along with your fatigue.

 

In your case it could be allergies, sleep apnea, anemia, low thyroid, low cortisol, depression or a long list of other health issues. It's time to get a doctor to start ruling out most of these things and find out what is causing your symptoms.

 

Good luck!

[millbank]

Its possible you may have a underactive thyroid. This gland controls many functions in body and is often overlooked.

[Acantha]

Its possible you may have a underactive thyroid.  This gland controls many functions in body and is often overlooked.

747052[/snapback]

It could be, but it would tend to make him put on weight, and he says that's not an issue. Weight gain isn't a symptom 100% of the time of course, but more often than not.

[Alaska Darin]

There is some pretty decent advice here in this thread. If I were you, I'd:

 

1. See a doctor.

2. See number 1.

 

There are so many variables involved in something like this. Your diet, stress, body chemistry, etc. Let a medical professional help you.

[MadBuffaloDisease]

There is some pretty decent advice here in this thread.  If I were you, I'd:

 

1. See a doctor.

2. See number 1.

 

There are so many variables involved in something like this.  Your diet, stress, body chemistry, etc.  Let a medical professional help you.

He already DID that, hence the reason he's coming here. Hard to find a solution when his doctor isn't taking it seriously. A lot of times it's passed-off as "you need more sleep." Such is that case in the days of managed care.

[Crap Throwing Monkey]

He already DID that, hence the reason he's coming here.  Hard to find a solution when his doctor isn't taking it seriously.  A lot of times it's passed-off as "you need more sleep."  Such is that case in the days of managed care.

747823[/snapback]

 

1) Get a second opinion.

2) See #1.

[Alaska Darin]

1) Get a second opinion.

2) See #1.

747843[/snapback]

Boy, that was hard.

[Fezmid]

Boy, that was hard.   

747849[/snapback]

Not always that easy.

 

I've had three separate examinations for my wrists -- and they all say I'm fine, even though I know that they're not. I'm sure I have tendonitis, carpel tunnel, or something similar. In addition, I have a compressed ulna nerve in my left elbow. But trying to get a doctor to agree with you is near impossible (in my experience, anyway). Yeah, I could keep going around to different doctors, paying ~$100 for each exam, but when is enough enough?

 

Nothing wrong with getting recommendations from others.

CW

[MadBuffaloDisease]

Not always that easy.

Sure it is. See above.

[Arkady Renko]

Thanks everyone for their opinions. I am going to give it another go w/ a different doctor soon and see if I can get anywhere.

[Arkady Renko]

I guess part of the problem is that for so long I wasn't sure if there actually was a problem or whether what I was experiencing was normal. It sounds like it isn't. This has helped.

[Gary M]

For the past two years, I have felt tired so much of the time. No matter how much I sleep, it takes me a lot of coffee and other tricks to give me the energy to do what I need to do. I thought it was allergy medication, but now avoiding that doesn't seem to do the trick.

I have mentioned it in passing with a doctor when I have come in for other things, but they seem to ignore it.

 

I talk to people I know, and I they don't seem to have any advice other than sleep more and exercise, both things that I am doing. The only thing that seemed to happen at the same time of this is that my allergies got real bad, I graduated college, and am taking allergy shots.

I don't want this to seem like whining and it's weird to post this here, but has anyone had this problem before and if so, what was the solution? I am 24, but I feel like I have the energy of an old man at times lately.

746234[/snapback]

 

Have you been to the dentist?

 

I was tired and run down for a while. At the time I was driving an hour each way to work, so I figured I wasn't sleeping enough. But when I changed jobs and was only driving 5 minutes, I was still tired. The new job had good dental, not having been to a dentist in a long time I went in. Being a new patient he took x-rays and found an impacted molar, the roots were all rotted. After he yanked it I felt great.

 

Just my .02

[Arkady Renko]

Have you been to the dentist?

 

I was tired and run down for a while. At the time I was driving an hour each way to work, so I figured I wasn't sleeping enough. But when I changed jobs and was only driving 5 minutes, I was still tired. The new job had good dental, not having been to a dentist in a long time I went in. Being a new patient he took x-rays and found an impacted molar, the roots were all rotted. After he yanked it I felt great.

 

Just my .02

748199[/snapback]

 

I went a year and a half ago. Being a grad student, w/o dental, I have been delaying going back. I think my fatigue extends farther back, but maybe I should go anyway just in case.

 

Thanks for the idea.

[inkman]

I've had three separate examinations for my wrists -- and they all say I'm fine, even though I know that they're not.  I'm sure I have tendonitis, carpel tunnel, or something...

747856[/snapback]

 

Do you turn your hands a lot? I used to work Quality Control in a sauce/salsa plant and I was constantly opening jars. Anyway, my wrists would get really sore, to the point were I couln't use them anymore. I went to a specialist and they gave me a cortizone shot. Never had the problem again (and I moved up the corporate ladder, so not much jar opening for me).

[Fezmid]

Do you turn your hands a lot?  I used to work Quality Control in a sauce/salsa plant and I was constantly opening jars.  Anyway, my wrists would get really sore, to the point were I couln't use them anymore.  I went to a specialist and they gave me a cortizone shot.  Never had the problem again (and I moved up the corporate ladder, so not much jar opening for me).

748721[/snapback]

I know it's all computer related -- been touch typing since junior high, so that hasn't helped. Combine that with the fact that I work in IT so am in front of a computer all day, every day, and you have the problem.

 

I'm guessing if I had a shot it probably wouldn't help anything long-term until I move up the corporate ladder. Problem is, I don't want to - I hate politics.

 

CW