Chronic Fatigue

[Brian1234]

Hi, I have been vegan for about 5 years. I have had chronic fatigue for the past year and a 2 months. Before having chronic fatigue, I was very fit and active and have always been very conscious of eating healthily. The fatigue started right after I had a tooth extraction last year, and has never gone away since. I feel extremely weak all over, and if i over exert myself (for example, try to lift something heavy or walk a lot throughout the day) then I will feel worse, and a day or 2 after I will be extremely tired. I used to exercise every day (gym/rugby/cycling) but nowadays the most i can do is moderate walking to and from the shops etc. I don't have joint pain. I have been to numerous doctors and have had all blood tests checked periodically, but they all show up with normal levels. I was diagnosed with haemochromatosis about 6 months ago, but I immediately began treatment (blood draws) and have had normal iron levels (ferretin, trans sats, Hb) for the last 4 months, however there has been no change in my fatigue/weakness symptoms. I've had numerous tests at the hospital, including a heart echo and MRI etc, and have had my testosterone checked, as well as a lyme disease check (I don't have all the tests that I've had done to hand). The consensus amongst the doctors I've seen is that there is nothing else to be tested, and that all I can do is manage my chronic fatigue and hope that it soon goes away. I supplement with B12 and other than that I varied diet of lots of fruits, vegetables, beans, rice, nuts, tofu etc etc. I sleep well and, prior to the fatigue, I was mentally healthy and not stressed. Does anyone have any advice here? Thanks.

 

[Lou]

This is odd. And i think that maybe ask for a referral to a new doctor.

Fatigue can be caused by mental or emotional things. But you didn't mention any sleep problems or new forms of stress. Do you think that it could be something like that?

I probably read too many internet things but there seem to be cases all the time of people getting misdiagnosed. But it happened to me too. I was misdiagnosed for like a year. and I went to a new doctor and explained the symptoms and he knew exactly what test to perform and i was all better in just 3 weeks.

On the internet I read about this woman who was suffering for months and finally, a doctor figured out she had an internal parasite. Giardia I think. She probably picked it up on a camping trip but no one had thought of it.

The tests are great but some tests require someone to think of doing.

 

[Brian1234]

This is odd. And i think that maybe ask for a referral to a new doctor.

Fatigue can be caused by mental or emotional things. But you didn't mention any sleep problems or new forms of stress. Do you think that it could be something like that?

I probably read too many internet things but there seem to be cases all the time of people getting misdiagnosed. But it happened to me too. I was misdiagnosed for like a year. and I went to a new doctor and explained the symptoms and he knew exactly what test to perform and i was all better in just 3 weeks.

On the internet I read about this woman who was suffering for months and finally, a doctor figured out she had an internal parasite. Giardia I think. She probably picked it up on a camping trip but no one had thought of it.

The tests are great but some tests require someone to think of doing.

Hi Lou, thanks very much for the response. I should have mentioned that I sleep well and, prior to getting the fatigue, I was not particularly stressed or mentally unwell. (In the past couple of months I have started to take anti-depressants but this is as a result of having the fatigue. i was on no medication before the fatigue started). Therefore I would be very surprised if it was related to my mental wellbeing. I will look into internal parasites, so thanks for mentioning that.

 

[Emma JC]

hi Brian and welcome

It must be so challenging to live with this issue.

Are you getting enough starches in your diet? It looks like you have a nicely varied selection of foods, I noticed you mentioned rice, do you also have potatoes? and breads and pastas? etc.

Emma JC

 

[Mischief]

You say you've had your heart checked, but it might be well to have that done more thoroughly. This started when you had a tooth pulled, and infections from dental issues easily migrate to the heart. Not all heart issues show up on all heart tests. I would seek a referral to a cardiologist.

It's so frustrating when you don't know what you're dealing with!

 

[Lou]

You say you've had your heart checked, but it might be well to have that done more thoroughly. This started when you had a tooth pulled, and infections from dental issues easily migrate to the heart. Not all heart issues show up on all heart tests. I would seek a referral to a cardiologist.

It's so frustrating when you don't know what you're dealing with!

That is also a good suggestion. Some diseases leave scar tissue on the heart. Did you ever have rheumatic fever as a child?

 

[Emma JC]

You say you've had your heart checked, but it might be well to have that done more thoroughly. This started when you had a tooth pulled, and infections from dental issues easily migrate to the heart. Not all heart issues show up on all heart tests. I would seek a referral to a cardiologist.

It's so frustrating when you don't know what you're dealing with!

This is a good point @Mischief and brings me to ask @Brian1234 if your blood tests included tests for inflammatory markers? Inflammation is the basis for almost every disease in the body and chronic fatigue is no exception.

Emma JC

 

[Brian1234]

Really appreciate the help so far. Re: my diet, yes I eat lots of bread, pasta and potatoes as well. I really can't imagine that there would be something missing in my diet as it's something I've always been careful with, but of course I'm still open to hear any suggestions! I don't think I had rheumatic fever as a child but i will confirm this. I would be very surprised if there is anything wrong with my heart (I'm 27 and have never had severe health issues previous to the past year) however I'll take the suggestion seriously and bring it up with my doctor, along with inflammatory marker tests (again, this may already have been tested among the myriad different tests I've had, but I will confirm). Thanks so much for the responses so far

 

[Lou]

keep us posted!

 

[shyvas]

Really appreciate the help so far. Re: my diet, yes I eat lots of bread, pasta and potatoes as well. I really can't imagine that there would be something missing in my diet as it's something I've always been careful with, but of course I'm still open to hear any suggestions! I don't think I had rheumatic fever as a child but i will confirm this. I would be very surprised if there is anything wrong with my heart (I'm 27 and have never had severe health issues previous to the past year) however I'll take the suggestion seriously and bring it up with my doctor, along with inflammatory marker tests (again, this may already have been tested among the myriad different tests I've had, but I will confirm). Thanks so much for the responses so far

Did your GP refer you to a endocrinologist when you were diagnosed with haemochromatosis ?

Any long term condition such as chronique fatigue and pain can cause stress and I would suggest that you seek a second opinion. I certainly would discuss this with my GP to see whether your symptoms and diagnosis could be seen from other angles by a medical specialist. Moreover, the internet isn't always the place to seek valid answers to one's health.

I do hope that you will find answers that will enable you to start that path to better health.

 

[Brian1234]

Did your GP refer you to a endocrinologist when you were diagnosed with haemochromatosis ?

Any long term condition such as chronique fatigue and pain can cause stress and I would suggest that you seek a second opinion. I certainly would discuss this with my GP to see whether your symptoms and diagnosis could be seen from other angles by a medical specialist. Moreover, the internet isn't always the place to seek valid answers to one's health.

I do hope that you will find answers that will enable you to start that path to better health.

I haven't been referred to an endocrinologist, no. I have seen a haematologist and an immunologist, and several different GPs. But i will suggest this next time I see my GP. Thank you for the suggestion!