Tiredness (again!)

[Tabitha58]

Actually it is more than tiredness - it is hollow-legged, shaky insides, exhaustion and I want to know why!

This is day three of my third lot of oral steroids in six weeks, and day three of my second lot of antibiotics (despite my chest being clear).

I am on week 7, day 2 of being poorly - the latest addition being the cold I caught last week.

I slept well last night.

I have also increased my preventer inhaler to 3 times a day as instructed by GP.

I know I have been busier today - but I am even too tired to eat much ... and that is MOST unusual!

I become breathless as soon as I get up to do anything and am still having to use the salbutamol inhaler at least once a day.

The cold is abating slowly - the antibiotics appear to be helping my sinuses - my chest is definitely less tight since starting the steroids.

I just feel like I somehow should be feeling better than I do! I know I have read about others feeling exhausted but I seriously wonder if I should be asking for other blood tests or something just in case there is something underlying causing this exhaustion - rather than just putting it all down to the asthma and having had a chest infection four weeks ago.

I am taking regular vit D3 plus vit C, B complex, Magnesium, Chromium. I also take duloxetine (antidepressant) and omeprazole.

I am trying to drink plenty.

I would value your opinions

[omahjoa]

Unfortunately feeling exhausted and shaky is one of the downsides of pred and being ill. Sounds like you might be coming out of the Long tunnel but sometimes it can take longer. I have been on pred for over 2 years. We keep trying to lower but every time I get to 20mg I get ill so up they go. I am also on low does antibiotics permanently. Managed to keep out of hospital since July but constantly feel crap. Starting mepo on Tuesday so hoping this will help. Will let you know xx

[Bridin]

Last year I was feeling very tired and had blood tests done my iron levels were low. I was put on iron tablets.

[AimeeCardiff]

Hi Tabitha, I had a really rough December - May with multiple big attacks and steroids (no antibiotics) and I'm still exhausted.

I got to see the severe asthma team in May and my breathing is now much improved, but I am so worn out.

I was advised to pace myself, which hasn't led to any better energy levels.

I went to the GP recently and had blood tests to rule out anything else - I'm back on Tuesday and expect to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and/or fibro myalgia (I have pain over a lot of my muscles and joints and skin/hair too).

If I was doing this again, I would have asked for blood tests at my GP sooner, as I've been pretty much constantly exhausted since March and getting worse since July. So, my advice would be to see your doctor, ask how long they would expect it to take for you to feel better and ask when they would investigate other causes if you haven't improved.

[AimeeCardiff in reply to AimeeCardiff]

Ps all of my blood tests were in the normal range