Extreme tiredness

[Suzileverell]

Hiya it's me again,

Was just wondering if anyone is suffering with extreme tiredness as well?

I've always struggled with fatigue but this is getting extreme to the extent I'm sleeping for 15 to 18 hours a day. My joint's are constantly hurting as well and I feel really weak. It's like living with flue all the time. I had to stop working full-time and go part-time for the moment because I was oversleeping for work every day as well as struggling with all the other symptoms.

I haven't been properly diagnosed with endo yet and still trying to understand it. I'll be having my lap on the 14th next month.

I'm only 22 and feel old already.

[weekari]

Yup. Fatigue has been my main symptom since I started to get ill 4 years ago. I've had other symptoms too, at first I had a lot of abdominal issues - severe pain & bloating but after a trial of a pill for 3 months continuously, that has reduced significantly but I now get really bad back and hip pain. The pain I can live with but the fatigue is debilitating. I sleep 10 hours most days but it never feels like enough. I'm always tired. I've been off work for 7 months (at first I went part time but it didn't really help) and I'm in the process now of my contract being terminated on grounds of ill health. It sucks!

When I was working, I struggled a lot more with my symptoms. My body always felt inflamed and like you mention, like I had the flu. From what I've read, endo can mess up your immune system so it's maybe that causing you to feel so bad.

BUT. I've only just been diagnosed. I've had a bit of a nightmare with the medics. I was tested for endo with a lap 2 years ago but none was found, I was told my issues with IBS and stress related. So I took that in board & did everything I could to better manage stress. I'm now like the coolest cucumber 😉 when my back & hips got really bad, I eventually saw orthopaedics and got an MRI which is when all the endo was found. It's apparently everywhere. So now at least I know the source of my pain & tiredness. I've not had any treatment yet for endo so I'm hopeful that something will help.

I've just started the endo friendly diet and I'm looking into other alternative treatments. There is hope.

Is good your lap is soon. Hopefully you get some information that will lead to you getting some relief. In the meantime though, just look after yourself. You don't want to be using all your limited energy for work. You need to make sure you're having some life too. If you need to take time off for your health, then its OK to do that. Your health is so important.

[Flynn_Maverick]

Oh dear, poor you yes I have diagnosed endo, waiting for lap number three in a few weeks. My exhaustion is so bad I can’t do anything requiring much energy for long and am sleeping excessively too. I also find I can’t concentrate and am struggling to make even basic decisions. I’ve been signed off work until I’ve had the op this time - maybe it’s worth you seeing if you can do the same until your op? Every time it recurs I’m the same - everything hurts, my joints as well as the pelvic pain and pain in my diaphragm, feels like flu, and I swear there are more spritely ninety years olds than me right now!! I try and eat an anti inflammatory diet - I’ve been drinking tart cherry juice for 3-4 weeks now and my joint pain has reduced quite a bit so maybe worth a try? Sorry to hear you are suffering but chronic fatigue is definitely a symptom of endo x

[Catness]

Yes I also have severe fatigue however I felt it was more than endo (I’m stage 4 endo) I just had a ‘gut feeling’. I ended up being referred to both the Pain Management team and Rheumatology and was subsequently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as well as endo.

It might also be worth going to your GP to get all your levels checked (Iron and so on) to double check the suspected endo isn’t making you deficient in other areas which could be adding to the fatigue?

I feel for you though, chronic fatigue is one of the hardest things to deal with xxxx

[Starry]

Big hugs, fatigue was and is my biggest symptom too xx.

It may be worth seeing a qualified nutritionist and getting things like iron, b12, zinc, magnesium, vit d, thyroid and calcium levels tested at the gp. I came out low in d, zinc and at times iron.

Sometimes the gps say you are in range but actually your body is sensitive and needs a bit more as the 'normal' ranges in blood testing are quite large.

Chronic pain can also cause fatigue i was told and i have found a specialist pain physio a great help.

I am currently goimg through the referral process for cfs as I am now 10 months post surgery and endo free but the fatigue did not improve any.

I'm currently attempting a phased return to work but am struggling having very gradually got up from 3 to 4.5 hours a day.

Take care of you xx

[Suzileverell]

Thank you all for you're comments they're really helpful and interesting to hear other peoples experiences. I'll ask my GP for a blood test as I've got to go next week anyway. Because I need to get treatment for an infection.. It's like the 6th one I've had this year..

That's interesting some of you have said diet can help as well. I've always been one for trying home remedies and even if it helps a little it's a start.

I have now spoken to my boss about it and he said it was fine for me to have the time off until after my lap. I'm lucky work are being really understanding about it. I also do a bit of dog walking for people. My Dr said I should keep it up if I can as gentle exercise seems to really help with the pain and walking is good for me. It's just a hard one because I feel so knackered afterwards even though the pain has eased up. It's also something I really enjoyed doing and it's an extra bit of money coming in. But it's not as enjoyable anymore because I feel tired all the time and I find I have to really push myself to get up and out.

Wish all you Ladys the best of luck.

Thank you everyone for all you're information and help. I really appreciate xxxxxx.