Fatigue - need more energy

[Caz2017]

Hi everyone...I have Sjogren’s, Coeliac, Type 2 diabetes and gastrointestinal issues. I work full/time as a teacher with young people who are disengaged from school. This requires me to be on top of preparation and being extremely engaging in the classroom. This requires lots of energy but I am experiencing severe fatigue. At the moment I am struggling to get out of bed, go to work and generally have a life. I spend weekends in bed resting. I am also losing a considerable amount of hair. I have widespread joint and muscular pain. I am on methotrexate & folic acid.

My blood tests are finally back to normal after an iron infusion & vitamin B12 injections. No cause for fatigue now.

I am hoping for advice on how to gain some energy, stop my hair loss and reduce my joint pain. Yes I want it all!

I am particularly interested in treatment at a cellular level, but open to any ideas.

Appreciate any ideas and other people’s experiences. Take care everyone & thanks.

[Tally]

I truly feel for you and since Xmas when my LFT showed my Liver Function was deranged. Fatigue has been off the radar as is Fibromyalgia .I have no tolerance to any drugs and I hope some of our fellow Sjorens etc people may help.

I hope you find relief. Xx

[Polly91]

That sounds really tough Caz

If you have time and can afford to see a naturopath I would recommend it. As infections eg parasites or Lyme or viruses could be the root cause of some of your issues.

As a quick fix you could try Fibroprotek and Pantethine (a B vitamin) as they both help with energy. Presume your vitamin D levels are ok? If not then try vitamin D too.

Good luck

[Caz2017 in reply to Polly91]

Hi Polly

I am keen to try Fibroprotek and Pantethine. Can you recommend any brands and dosage?

I live in an rural town and access to a naturopath is limited, but I will try and locate one in a nearby city. I do go to Sydney to see my rheumatologist. Any suggestions for a naturopath that understands Sjögren’s disease.

Thanks so much for your suggestions.

Take care.

Caz

[Polly91 in reply to Caz2017]

Hi Caz

I’m in the UK so not sure if that helps & please remember we are all different & one thing that works for me may not work for you & I am under the care of a naturopath so lots of tests have been done. Having said that ! if you’d like to try these fibroprotek comes from US Algonot is the company. I think you can get pantethine from any good health food store - I use Jarrow formulas.

Just out of interest have you tested for Lyme? Also leaky gut & Candida & if you have a lot of amalgam fillings they can also make you v tired if you have mercury in your system. Mould is the other baddie.

I really hope you can improve your health. It’s horrible when you feel fatigued all the time - I know!!

Good luck

Xx

[milkwoman]

How long ago were your iron infusions? For me, I didn’t really feel effects until 8 weeks after last infusion.

Have you had your thyroid hormones checked? Fatigue could be due to underactive Thyroid.

[Caz2017 in reply to milkwoman]

Hi

Thanks everyone for your kind and supportive comments.

In regards to questions, Iron infusion was March 2018. Had blood tests last week. Results are all normal for thyroid, liver, iron levels and kidneys. Some inflammatory markers are increased, although no more than usual.

The start of the severe fatigue did start around the time my gynaecologist reduced my Hormone replacement medication by 50%. Also at the same time stopped insulin for type 2 diabetes and started a new medication - Trulicity injections (1 injection each week). My blood sugar levels have stabilised and I have lost 7kg by reducing carbohydrates and reducing portion size for all meals. I am also on 20mg Methotrexate & 5mg of folic acid each day.

Look forward to further comments and suggestions

Thank you.

Caz

[milkwoman in reply to Caz2017]

First off, congrats on the weight loss. You must be thrilled!

Unfortunately, you’ve made many changes at one time so pinpointing the cause of your fatigue is all that more difficult.

What was your ferritin level from recent blood test? Did you only have one iron infusion? (Typically it’s a series of at least 3). You are still a few weeks away from feeling full effect.

You wrote “Results are all normal for thyroid”. Can you post the results because “normal” doesn’t mean optimal. Are you on thyroid hormones?

Why was your HRT reduced by 50%? What hormones were you taking? The 50% reduction (which is aggressive) literally (and abruptly) pulled the plug out of your system, most likely throwing you out of balance. When sex hormones are unbalanced, thyroid hormones can get out of whack. They all work together. For me, I know I require much more progesterone as I’m estrogen dominant. Most woman these days are estrogen dominant due to the high level of phytoestrogens all around us. You could ask your doc to increase your progesterone. (This exact same thing happened recently to my sister. For no reason her GYN cut her progesterone in half keeping estrogen the same 🙄. Very quickly, she became very symptomatic and it has taken a a long time for her to recover and get back to any sense of normalcy.) I don’t understand why GYNs freak out about HRT. If you are doing well on it, leave things be. Our bodies need sex hormones!

FWIW, methylfolate is better absorbed than folic acid. Are you also taking methylcobalamin (b12)? Low b12 levels can cause fatigue.

[SusieW2]

On a cellular level you may want to check out Alkaline Water. I find it does a better job of hydration for me. My body is acidic and reacts negatively to high acid foods. So it seemed like something I should do.

I also went to a Naturopath with complaints of fatigue and bone loss. The first thing he said was to take more Vitamin D even if you don't test low. (Those test results are based on an average and may not indicate what's best for you. I'm having my sons get tested now so they know what's normal for them as they age.) The Vit D helped right away. I take about twice the recommended dose and know people who take more. It is an oil based vitamin so there is a level that is too much and will build up in your body. The Naturopath gave me a prescription for a low dose of Testosterone and of Liothyronine. My Thyroid indicated low normal with a traditional Dr. so he wouldn't treat it. But Naturopath said he doesn't believe any "low" is normal. (BTW Hair loss can be caused by thyroid treatment and many other things and obviously I'm not a Dr. so do consult one.) Also, Testosterone helps me sleep better and has slowed down my bone loss. Hormones are not given the importance they deserve.

My son uses CBD Oil and feels it reduces his pain. Don't know if you can get this OTC. It's good for anxiety and handling stress, too.

I am also gluten-free, rarely drink alcohol and avoid high-acid food and those which tend to cause inflammation.

Anyway I feel a lot better now and give myself permission to get some caffeine when I need a boost.

[Beverly]

Hi Caz, when I lost my hair I got a really good shampoo and conditioner I had a head massage with Argon oil 3 times a week and it all came back. For your joint pain massage ginger oil into the joints it helps me.

[jmp51]

I admire the fact that with all these health issues you still can work fulltime! You are amazing! Hope things get better soon!

[Caz2017]

Hi everyone... just wanted to say a big thanks to everyone for all their suggestions and kind thoughts. I have taken leave from work and focussing on my health. Going down the track with naturopath and integrating many of your sugggestions.

Take care everyone - forgot to mention I found the ginger oil great for joint pain. Stay well. C