Chronic Fatigue?

[Blueaegis]

Does anyone have any experience with Chronic Fatigue? My Dr. did some blood tests and suggests I may have it, but told me just to rest. Thats not an answer.

I'm searching the web for Dr.'s who treat Chronic Fatigue but haven't found anything substantial.

[KnottedYet]

Try searching out some physical therapists who treat chronic fatigue. Generally "rest" isn't the answer.

But be *sure* of your diagnosis. What did the blood test show that made your doc pick chronic fatigue?

I worked at a clinic that got a lot of referrals from a rheumatologist who did a lot of immunological work with her patients before she would diagnose chronic fatigue. (cuz the symptoms can be caused by so many other things, she was very careful to be sure it was an auto-immune issue before she'd let it go)

She also sent us her auto-immune chronic-pain-in-the-connective-tissue (the word has utterly escaped my head!) patients. It was the fashionable catch-all diagnosis for women for a while, but her patients REALLY had it.

[Blueaegis]

Everything else looked normal, so he immediately said "Oh its probably just chronic fatigue, stop riding your bike so much and rest". I've tried the rest remedy, now I think its time to find another Dr. who will at least eliminate other potential diagnoses.

[LBTC]

She also sent us her auto-immune chronic-pain-in-the-connective-tissue (the word has utterly escaped my head!) patients. It was the fashionable catch-all diagnosis for women for a while, but her patients REALLY had it.

Do you mean fibromyalsia?

FWIW I'm struggling with a similar difficult to diagnose problem, which includes a lot of fatigue. Doctors have basically told me that I'm not sick enough for them to help me.

So....I'm transitioning towards homeopathic remedies. I've had some tests done by a naturopathic practitioner, and am working with an acupuncturist and a massage therapist (who is doing integrate massage that includes cranio-sacral therapy and gentle visceral massage, and I don't know what else).

If you want more info on what I'm doing, PM me (or post if you want others to know about it). To be fair, I haven't actually started the Homeopathy yet as I'm getting off the prescribed drugs first. But this is the first time I've seen any changes or felt any hope in about a year....

Sending you butterflies with healing, energy, patience and elightenment - green, orange, blue and white.

Hugs,
~T~

[Torrilin]

Chronic fatigue gets used a lot as a catch-all diagnosis. My dad got "diagnosed" with it when he started feeling tired all the time and stopped having the energy to run. His normal weekly mileage went from 15-20 down to half that or less, very suddenly. Turns out he had injured his knee and developed a rare auto-immune disorder. Doctors have tried to pin chronic fatigue on my mom too. Nope. Habitual insomnia due to sleep apnea is the major cause, helped along by her tendency towards major depression and (at the time) her need for a hip replacement. Mom basically ignored her doc, since there are plenty of good explanations for why she's tired. Dad listened for a while, but kept harping on the symptoms that didn't fit. In both cases the doctor had decided they were middle aged semi-hypochondriacs and was trying to get rid of them with an easy diagnosis.

[Blueaegis]

WOW, thanks for info. Sounds like Dr.'s just want to use Chronic Fatigue when they don't want to take the time to dig deeper and do the work.

I researched and found a Dr. who for $650 will run a series of tests to eliminate other possible problems and then create an appropriate progam. Of course he is not a part of any insurance plans.

Would a rheumatologist be a place to start?

[coyote]

Rheumatologist is a good place to start...they will be able to rule out auto-immune diseases that may be leaving you feeling crappy.

On the other hand, it sounds like you need to evaluate how your doctor arrived at this dx and whether that was logical and thorough. CFS is generally arrived at after doing all the test necessary. If you don't like the DR response, then go back to him and say that is not acceptable or find another dr, one who can work with you. I hate to say it but it seems like the MDs want to put everyone in a box and they really don't want you to ask questions. Not all are like that.

The one that will do the test and provide a treatment for you may be an Eastern and Western Medicine type dr. I forgot what they are called. If you do have CFS or something else, they will find it and prescribe lifestyle changes, supplements and maybe medication that may help. I would check the DR. out, some of them have their own supplements that for a mere $$ per month...At any rate, I'm not knocking that. My Partner has Lupus. We went to an Integrated Medical Clinic thru the University, it is in addition to all her other DRs. They have helped her greatly and are usually the only ones to listen and take action.

[Blueaegis]

I really didn't want to go back to my family Dr. and have to beg him to be thorough. I would like to have a Dr. who is more proactive. Maybe that isn't realistic.

After doing some internet research I found many Dr.'s who will sell you their vitamin cocktails with guaranteed results! Scary.....

If you can remember the Eastern and Western Medicine type Dr. , let me know.

[DDH]

I wish you all the luck. I have the same type of problems with my doctor not wanting to dig deep into things. I get so frustrated but I think some of mine is because I am on an HMO and that ties the doctors hands sometimes.
They have to have a reason to send you to a specialist on the HMO's.

It's a shame that we have to push so hard to get something done when we are feeling bad.

[Brunswick_Kate]

Last time I was suffering from "Chronic Fatigue", it was called diabetes. I'm assuming a physician has ruled out the 'usual suspects"?

[Blueaegis]

I wish you all the luck. I have the same type of problems with my doctor not wanting to dig deep into things. I get so frustrated but I think some of mine is because I am on an HMO and that ties the doctors hands sometimes.
They have to have a reason to send you to a specialist on the HMO's.

It's a shame that we have to push so hard to get something done when we are feeling bad.

You are EXACTLY right. If its an ailment that isn't easily categorized, or requires some real investigation, its dismissed. Thankfully I'm not an HMO and can try other Dr.'s. I've contacted the NJ Chronic Fatigue Association and asked for a list of physicians. It very well may not be Chronic Fatigue, but at least one of these Dr.'s can tell me that.

By the way, today is the first day I feel OK. It's like a fog has lifted over my head. I didn't realize what it feels like feel good.

With the response I've received with this post, its obvious that these symptoms are very common and not being adequately addressed.

[coyote]

Getting the list of DRs from the association was a great idea! Good luck and if you don't click with the first one try the next. There is bound to be one that will work with you.

By the way maybe I was dreaming that DR title between e/w medicine. I have not been able to find the title only the same thing you did...buy my supplements.

[Blueaegis]

Got an appt on Wed with a doc who is listed on the NJ Chronic Fatigue list as: Sports Medicine/internist.

[DDH]

Good for you. Please give us an update when you find something out.

[LBTC]

Yes, please keep us posted, blue! I hope you find a solution and wellness soon.

Hugs and healing butterflies,
~T~

[Flybye]

This might be ridiculously simple but it worked for me. I was exhausted all of the time and it was a combination of two things, first, asthma. I didn't have the typical symptoms. I am taking Singulair and it has made a world of difference.
Be sure to rule out allergies and asthma, they are much more common than chronic fatigue and can make you extremely exhausted b/c you aren't brining in enough oxygen to your cells.

Second, do some research on splenda and phenylalanine, the artificial sweeteners that are most typically used in diet pop and sugarfree food if you are a person that consumes them. The FDA says they are safe but I have firsthand experience and know numerous other women who quit consuming these sweeteners for a couple of weeks and felt so much better. I personally had joint aches, muscle aches, cotton mouth, gas, and an upset stomach. Within two days of quitting my consumption, I felt better.

Just a few cents worth - Cindy
PS - a wise doctor told me once to start with the most typical problems people experience and work your way out. great advice. (reminds me of Arnold Schwartzneger - It's not a tumor!)