Anxiety and fatigue

[sjdard]

Well I don't know if it related to ET but my anxiety levels are worsening and the fatigue is hitting me every day. Today was my day of work, all I've done is go and have my hair cut this morning, got home and have slept for 2 hour, now I feel shattered and my body is aching. Still haven't heard if I got an appointment with Claire Harrison and not seeing my heomotologist till end of January.

[Mwalimu]

I do understand how you feel. I used to be fairly laid back but now respond badly to ANY stress. My fatigue level varies. I know I can work through it but often sleep for an hour or two after a busy morning or afternoon. The relief of putting my head on a pillow ... Do you have to work or are you retired? I'm 75. Sallie

[sjdard in reply to Mwalimu]

Thank you for your reply. Yes I do work, afternoon shift which is a struggle as I want a afternoon nap. Also with the anxiety, waiting to go to work I get myself worked up to. Once there I'm stressing for the first couple of hours but it does settle down after a while. But the fatigue is something else. It just hit me. They must think I'm a hypochondriac alway something wrong with me and I can't cope. Just don't think the situation with my current heomotologist is helping. My platelets are on the rise and I been intolerant to medication. Just want to fill better and not always struggling.

[Aime in reply to sjdard]

Hi, you are not a hypochondriac - the most popular symptom of our MPN is fatigue unfortunately. The other unfortunate thing is we probably look well so others automatically think we are skiving!!!

I would try and chase up any appointments you are waiting for and this will help to reduce your anxiety a bit. I have recently retired through ill health (I have PV) and found occupational health very supportive and apart from an initial report from my GP, the OH and pension medics accepted the severity of my condition without quibble.

Could you change your work hours to a time you are less tired - I know this is difficult to find sometimes with fatigue?

Also take Maz up on her offer of booklets which explain in layman terms exactly what we all have. In the meantime get as much quality rest as possible, perhaps your GP can help with the anxiety (I take sertraline which let's me see things much more clearly as it reduces anxiety levels) , drink your 2 litres of fluid at least and keep in touch. We all truly understand how you are feeling and this forum will help you a lot.

Kind regards Aime xx😺😺

[DH65 in reply to sjdard]

When I am anxious my platelets rise. Do you meditate? It's helpful. When I am anxious I may meditate 4 x day. L. Theanine is helpful, they call it natures Zanax. Also Magnesium. B complex and vit C

[katiewalsh]

Hi. I can't really offer much help but I decided to write just to remind you we're here for you and will provide any help we can. Also there's a list you can probably get from Maz that describes symptoms like fatigue which you could give your boss or coworkers. Easy to understand why you're stressed. Waiting to hear back is always hard but it seems everyone on here who has mentioned trying to get in to see Dr Harrison gets in. Try and practice some relaxation techniques and if appropriate, don't be reluctant to get medication for anxiety. Lots of us, including me, are on it and find it helps a lot. Others do meditation and some do yoga. Good Luck. Hang in there. Things will get better. 🌷 Katie

[sjdard in reply to katiewalsh]

Thank you for the kind words, it's nice to no that people care.

[Ebot]

I think to some extent it may be a viscious circle. Stress and anxiety can cause fatigue. If fatigue then becomes a source of stress and anxiety ...... You can see where this going. Certainly I do get anxious about becoming fatigued if I have a lot on - especially that 'hit a brick wall' business, not least because it's so unpredictable. And certainly the ET / PV has made me feel a lot less in control of my life and consequently a lot more anxious. And much of the day to day anxiety is around symptoms of fatigue. I am working with the fatigue clinic at Guy's Cancer Centre to try and understand the triggers for my fatigue and (I think) discriminate between the different manifestations of fatigue and then put in place some management strategies. Will let you know how I get on!

[sjdard in reply to Ebot]

Thank you for your reply. Knowing other feel the same make me feel not alone. Good luck.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

Hi, sorry to hear you are struggling with the fatigue, we all know how you are feeling and it's horrible, have you thought about possibly changing your shifts so that you could work in the mornings, it might be worth asking your employer if you can do this. And as Katie advised, perhaps you could explain to your co-workers about fatigue etc, I can send you the details we have listed in our booklets. Best wishes, Maz x

[sjdard]

Thank you for the reply, any info much appreciated, I'm having a occupational health consultation next week and I could discuss hours of work there. I just don't think they believe me that I have ET or there anything wrong with me.

[lizzziep]

Hi, I agree with Ebot about the vicious circle, I get anxious and stressed, so I wake up in the night imagining all sorts of ridiculous scenarios, less sleep equals more fatigue etc.

I am lucky that I am retired so don't need so much concentration, and I can take a nap occasionally.

Can't give you any advice - just sympathy

Regards, Lizzie

[Chris3875]

I'm just gob-smacked that you have to wait so long to see the haematologist - January is over 5 months away ! I live in a country-bumpkin area of Australia far from the city but I could see my specialist in a few days if I was really concerned about something. Makes me realise how lucky I am.

[jodary]

Hi I have suffered badly with anxiety since being diagnosed 6 years ago. Anxiety is a horrible thing to have and in itself can be exhausting . The constant worry of what might happen as well as what is actually happening is draining. I take a small dose of Amitryptiline at night to help with sleep as everything floods into your mind if you can't sleep.. Then you are tired all day. X

[cwayman11]

Your occupational health person should understand. I was pleasantly surprised they did and they have been very clear to my employer about restricting hours and no travel etc. Good luck and hang in there. I hear meditation can help a lot too.

[Angelinagaffer]

So sorry to hear you are feeling the stress etc, I do my best to stay calm, I do everything I really want or feel the need to do to help me feel a little better, a little dance, a cup of tea, a scream, a song, an exercise. Just five minutes just doing what ever I want for me. I am beginning to accept that fatigue is part of my life and i do my best to work with IT instead of feeling pissed off that I feel this dreadful debilitating shitty thing called fatigue..... It is here to stay so making it a friend and working together I have found has made me less anxious. I was diagnosed in January so still finding my way.

[Hidden]

Hi, I have to say anxiety is worse than having ET which I have, diagnosed 2015. At the same time of being diagnosed with ET, my best friends husband was dying of heart failure, being only 64, and my partner was accused of rape!!! which was all just a lie, and was proven to be so by the law. But the anxiety started at that time. It felt like adrenaline and cortisol were having a party inside of me!! No medication could help! which I tried antidepressants for a short period. What I found got me through a terrible 18months was meditation and deep breathing! as was mention earlier.

My ET seems to be in a stable, my platelets sitting in the 600's, only taking aspirin. I still concentrate on my deep breathing when I am feeling slightly stressed, whether at work or home. It is very important to let your body know you are relaxed, this is done my letting your parasympathetic system take over. The parasympathetic nervous system is one of three divisions of the autonomic nervous system. Sometimes called the rest and digest system, the parasympathetic system conserves energy as it slows the heart rate, increases intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles in the gastrointestinal tract. do the work on the sympatric symptom. I have researched this subject thoroughly.

I found a app on my phone which proved to be invaluable. Good luck and hope you can feel better. Not sure about your fatigue, I don't suffer from that. thank goodness!! I work mostly evening which I love, hate early starts!!

Lyn xx