Really struggling. Getting ridiculously tired and struggling with every day activities like cooking. Why do us endo sufferers get so tired?

Any ideas? / knowledge?

[Catness]

Hello I struggle too and I think most ladies do on here as endo can cause chronic fatigue. I think it's something to do with the fact our bodies are constantly fighting this disease and so we are just running on half a battery all the time. I changed my diet and go to the gym when I can which helps but if I have a late night (past 11pm!) it messes me up for the whole of that week. I'm 23 going on 90!

[Lilykat197]

Same here, I constantly struggle with extreme fatigue so bad sometimes I can't even be bothered eating... Think about it we are in constant daily pain, that would tire anyone out, be kind to yourself and when you are rely tired rest if at all possible xxx

[Lolaloo]

As I typing I'm still in bed and have no desire to get up every time I do anything I have to have a rest. I helped my mum move yesterday I was only there 2 hours then I came home 1pm and watched some tv in bed and work pup with my daughter knocking on door!! I have spent the whole day in bed before sleeping for most of it! Give me some energy please some times I can't even be bothered to get in shower!

[AuntyWissy]

Hi, Endo causes fatigue because your immune system is constantly working against the Endo deposits that it recognises shouldn't be there, and whenever you move you compensate for the pain, so if you bend down, for example, you don't do it in the quickest most efficient way, but in a way that doesn't cause you pain. Not a big deal on it's own but over the course of the day you're using muscles that you wouldn't otherwise use, constantly adjusting and moving to avoid pain and these extra efforts all add up. Just pain itself will make you tired as it's a natural reaction to sleep when we are in pain. Finally, many painkillers have a sedative effect which again makes us very tired.

Have you tried pacing? You may know all about it, but if not, it's essentially breaking tasks down into manageable chunks. So, if you decide you're going to Hoover the carpets in every room, you might Hoover the living room, then sit and read for fifteen minutes, then Hoover the hallway, then sit and watch tv for fifteen minutes, then Hoover the dining room, then rest...and so on. It means things take longer but if you did it all in one go, then slept for three hours you're talking a huge amount of time out of your day anyway! You can find lots of information online about pacing. Also look up spoon theory as it explains thins reall well.

Hth

Wissy

Xxx

[CharlieSays in reply to AuntyWissy]

Ive recently started doing this and find it really helps - although I can't get away with it at work, unfortunately!

[tiger-lilly182]

I've finally been diagnosed properly with endometriosis and currently in the hospital waiting to go home - I feel like this has finally explained everything thats been going on with me for 10+ years! I thought I was going mad, or that I was just lazy. Odd thing is, I'm not always in pain from this, it occurs mostly between ovulation and period time but not even every month, although I do feel tender quite a lot of the time. Its just so frustrating I feel like I want to cry, my mind wants to be an active person with lots to do but my body just can't keep up!

Does anyone else get the problem of painful and bleeding ovulation?

[taydeedee in reply to tiger-lilly182]

Hi tiger-lilly182. I am suspected of having Endometriosis. but I am not scheduled for my lapro until July. I am 38 years old and my husband and I have been TTC for the past 15 years. On and off fertility treatments. Prior to December of 2013 no Dr. could find anything wrong with me or my husband so we were clueless as to the problem. In 2012 I started having fatigue in the afternoons and abdominal pain and pressure in my right side for no reason right around time of ovulation. My GP referred me for ultrasounds of my abdomen, pelvis and vaginal. There weren't any obvious reasons for the pain other then free fluid around my right ovary. In Dec. I went to yet another fertility specialist and he did some routine bloodwork, I was shocked to learn that I have Hypothyroidism. To my knowledge I have never been checked for that. I am now on Thyroid medicine and my levels are normal. That has helped with the fatigue and tiredness tremendously. I still have not been able to conceive, even on the fertility medicine Letrozole but at least I'm off the couch more. I have horrible cramping and bleeding during my period and because of the free fluid my Dr. has scheduled me for a Lapro. I pray that if it is Endometriosis, they are able to remove it and that I may be able to become pregnant. Have you had your thyroid checked? Not sure if it might be your problem but having my levels regulated has helped me tremendously. Good Luck and I hope you feel better soon.

[Dulcecosita]

Yeah I am exhausted most of the time. Mainly I can't seem to wake up which makes me feel very lazy and like I don't deserve to have a job as i am so half asleep. As someone has said I am trying to do exercise mainly in the form of Bikram Yoga and eating superfoods. This is just day two of it but I refuse to sit on my backside and let this control me. You have to get that get up and go inside you, I know it is hard but i am not spending all my life this way. I only had my lap back in November so it's not like surgery is the answer.

Additionally to feeling tired does anyone else get really bad mood swings? If I am tired, I am also very emotional and get so angry...

[Hidden]

OMG. My moodswings are HORRENDOUS!!!!

[awinnie]

I'm 38 and have suffered with fatigue since my teens. Diagnosed with endo at 26, I've battled with daily pain and fatigue since. I sleep a lot, because I get so exhausted, I try to do things like work etc. But not easy. I've just come out of hospital again, due to ongoing

Pain and fatigue. It is draining, I haven't had kids yet which is another difficult issue. Are you on pain meds or anything? Sometimes they can make you tired as well.

Try changing diet, acupuncture, going for walks and see if an afternoon

nap helps or not.

Do you work at all? Have you got a good support network? Essential for us endo sufferers.

Ask your gp to rule out underactive thyroid as that can make you tired and can exist alongside endo. My thyroid has been borderline a few times, but not enough to put me on any thyroid tablets. Plus endo and under active thyroid are in my mothers family. Look at your family history, that may help. Hope this is OK. Good luck. PS never let any drs etc fob you off!!!