Tiredness/Fatigue

[allanrobson]

Apologies for the long winded post but I want to give you enough information.

l have posted on here before about the above and read other posts daily as I have so much respect for so many of you who give great, sensible advice. So my issue is this: I had my HA last March (one stent fitted) and generally am quite ok with my progress. However as you can probably anticipate I am getting really hacked off being constantly so tired. I am a 68 year old male and prior to my 'episode' was relatively fit, with a very good sense of humour and loving life working in a Special Needs School which I love. I have now reduced my work to three days a week (really don't want to have to pack up as I would miss it too much).

Throughout the holidays I was needing to go to bed for a doze in the afternoon and still going to bed early, sleeping around 9 hours a night. Back at work and I'm going to bed even earlier. I had an ECG early Dec and an echocardiogram end Dec with results tomorrow (so maybe should wait to see what comes of that but wanted clarification on a couple of things before I go in). I was under the impression that this tiredness was caused by medication ( on clopidogrel, Atorvastatin, candesartan) but have just found out none of these should give those side effects which has disappointed me as was hoping in a strange way that was the cause. I forgot to mention shortage of breath, whilst previously mild asthmatic, rarely having the need to use my inhaler, I'm now using it three to four times a day. Maybe it's just that? Asthma? I'm a very pragmatic person so once I know what's going on I will deal with it appropriately.

As I said earlier, apologies for the long post but would appreciate any advice/comments. Take care and thank you in advance.

[Rose54]

Hi

Both drugs you mention can cause fatigue

I go through periods when I feel fine and others when I struggle to get out of bed

I'm retired but made that decision a few weeks before HA in May .

This was mainly due to another health condition but its the best thing I did .

Job similar to yours but very stressful

Do I miss it surprisingly no but gone are the days I was awake at 5.ooam jumping out of bed at 5.45 am raring to go.

Now I'm lucky to be awake at 7.30am and up by 9.OOam

Once I'm up I'm fine the rest of the day but always in bed by 10.00pm

[allanrobson in reply to Rose54]

Thank you Rose54. I must admit I thought (hoped) it would be drug related so I could discuss it with the gp but when I checked side effects this morning it wasn't mentioned.

[Fortepiano]

None of those drugs should cause fatigue. I haven't had an HA though I have a stent MN, but I am on a high dose of candesartan and have been on clopidogrel without any problems and my husband has been on a high dose of atorvastatin.

Your appointment should show if there is a problem with your heart, but there are so many other causes of fatigue.

It's obviously worth going back to your GP about your asthma since you are using your inhaler more, and you could ask him to do some blood tests, e.g. for anemia.

Tiredness and constant sleeping can also be linked to depression. It isn't good for your body to be in bed or indeed asleep for so long both in the afternoon and at night and it does become rather a vicious circle. Perhaps you could try to gradually reduce the hours sleeping particularly in the afternoon? My husband can catnap in the afternoon but I always find I feel more tired as once I fall asleep my body wants its 8 hours. Paradoxically a walk often makes me feel better.

Also you are at retirement age and with a demanding job which you clearly love and put a lot into. Fatigue may be the price you pay, though the fact that you felt very tired in the holidays suggests that isn't everything.

Do talk to your GP.

All the best with sorting things

[allanrobson in reply to Fortepiano]

Thank you Fortepiano, I honestly appreciate those comments and thoughts.

[Hidden]

Use 'Drugs.com-interactions' to search your med interactions. Copidogrel can most certainly cause fatigue. I don't know if I can post a link here but will try as I searched your meds and Drugs.com page would certainly provide you with questions you will need to ask your doctor. drugs.com/interactions-chec...

[allanrobson in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much for that, I really appreciate t the fact you've taken time out to respond. I'll have a look now. Best wishes.