Tiredness / malaise?

[Aphra]

Hi, does anyone else experience tiredness / malaise (in the sense of just feeling drained and not quite right) that they believe is caused by endometriosis? I've not considered it before as I can still go to work/see friends etc and always assumed I was just being lazy, as it's more that I just feel meh - it's sort of hard to explain - but I know that tiredness and just feeling not really OK can be caused by endo, so wondered if this was common.

[Meadowsweet11]

This is exactly how I’m feeling just now and I was diagnosed with deep infiltrating endometriosis a few months ago after about 10 years of trying to get to the bottom of it. I’ve been signed off work for a couple of weeks with fatigue and just feel so exhausted all the time. Not sure if it’s a direct symptom of endo or more a result of the mental health issues Endo can trigger as I know exhaustion/fatigue is a common symptom of depression and anxiety. I know what you mean about feeling lazy, I feel guilty for being tired as though I’m just being lazy but am learning to accept that these symptoms are real and are my bodies way of telling me that something isn’t right, I think we have to listen to our bodies when we feel like this and if you have to rest then make sure you prioritise it. Hope you feel better soon xx

[Aphra in reply to Meadowsweet11]

I'm sorry to hear you're feeling so exhausted. You're right about it being difficult to tell if it's a direct symptom of endo or MH - I find this difficult to unpick and I know the only time I've felt so tired has been when I've been mentally not very well, so that's something to bear in mind. It's difficult to listen to my body when doing things does sometimes make me feel better, but equally can just exhaust me!

[lslo23]

I get it every month for the 7 days of my period when I feel like someone has zapped every bit of energy out of my body. It's more than just tiredness it feels like exhaustion!

I've heard it's common with endo because your body is trying to fight it so uses up all your energy! I hate it when people think you're just being lazy but they don't realise how much energy it takes just to stand up.

Hope you feel better xx

[Aphra in reply to lslo23]

Thank you: it's good to know I'm not alone! That makes sense - come to think of it I do often feel like I'm getting a cold or something similar, which would make sense if my immune system is busy trying to tackle my endo.

[Vickysponge357]

I know exactly what you mean. I haven’t yet had a diagnosis, I’m still near the bottom of the ladder in the diagnostic process, but there is no doubt in my mind that I have it!

Most days I just feel like I have had all of the energy sucked out of me. Getting up in the morning is by far the hardest part of my day. I often feel like I have a killer hangover but with out the fun of the drinks the night before!

My gp has offered to sign me off but financially it just isn’t an option, and my work place has such a strict sickness policy that I need to save any sick days for the days that I just 100% really cannot do it.

Even on my days off, I will make plans with the other half but when it comes down to it I am just too tired. He is so understanding but I always feel so guilty when we cancel our fun plans to sit on the sofa watching tv all day!

[Aphra in reply to Vickysponge357]

I'm sorry to hear you're so exhausted, and that taking time off work isn't an option for you right now. I totally understand what you mean about feeling guilty for cancelling plans - I spend most nights during the week just slobbed out on the sofa, as just going to work leaves me so tired. My partner is really understanding too, but I still feel guilty for not making more of an effort!