Re: How tired is tired for you?

[Guest guest]

I remember in 2003 being so tired, just like you described, that I could

hardly function. I was ready to call it quits at age 51 and just go to

bed. I dreamed about laying in a hammock in the sunshine and having

someone take care of me. I was in bed 12-14 hours at night, then napped

2-1/2 hours twice a day, and still was exhausted the next day. I was

researching on the internet and found Dr. Dantini, contacted him

and had blood work done (he is in Florida but does phone consults). I

tested high for several viruses, retested my food allergies (which were

out of control). I was also going through menopause and not sleeping due

to hot flashes awakening me every hour.

After getting my viruses under control (this took a year), my food

allergies under control (this took six months), going on HRT for my

menopause and getting consistent good quality sleep, I started to

function better. I still pushed my limits and had many setbacks. Now

that I am almost 60 (aarrgh) I am doing less in some ways and more in

others, but have to pace myself. I still sleep 10-12 hours a day (to

sleep about 11:00, up about 8:30, napping 2-3 times daily depending on

the day and my work schedule). It took a bit of tinkering to find what

supplements and vitamins worked for energy (love Klammath blue-green

algae and spirulina mixture for energy), what worked for sleep

(melatonin 3 mg for me), what foods to avoid (lots and I pay for eating

incorrectly by low energy and brain fog). I learned to say NO to a lot

of things, and if I can't decide, the answer is always NO!!!

Yes, it feels like you have the flu 24/7; that's actually how I describe

it to others. Have you had your blood checked for viruses? I was

positive for EBV (must have had mono in 1970 when I was very sick),

herpes simplex (fever sores which I get on my nostrils, never on my

lips), herpes six (thanks to being around children), and parvo (cats?).

They reactivate often, in fact I have very swollen glands this week, low

energy, sores inside my mouth, no appetite, and ache all over, feel like

I'm having a fibro flare. If I get a virus that is going around, I

eventually realize I am aching more than usual and do less than usual to

rest up. It hurts to get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the

night and I find myself hanging on the wall to stay upright.

Do you take any antivirals? There are ones docs can prescribe (valtrex

or acyclovir) or natural (l-lysine which helps me tremendously as does

grapefruit seed extract, friends use oil of oregano, there are others).

Obviously you need to rest up and get well; make sure you aren't doing

too much otherwise. Probably have had toxoplasmosis although I never

scooped with bare hands and always, always washed thoroughly after

scooping litter. I pray you find a doctor who will listen to you and

help. Most of us here have been to 10-15 doctors before finding someone

to help. At least they believe in Chronic Fatigue/Fibromyalgia now, not

like when I first had symptoms at age 40 or so (although I have been

sick since 1970).

in La Selva Beach CA

[Guest guest]

{Moderator: Please trim posts. Thanks}

I have " been there " ------it was 15 years ago. Saw several integrative MD's over

the years, each helping me little steps. Finally I sought the care of a

FFC--Fibro and Fatigue Center in Atlanta. In one years care I had tremendous

improvement. You do not need to go to one of the clinics----you can down load

the SHINE protocol off of Dr. Teitlebaums web site, www.endfatigue.com. Dr. T

has started taking patients over the phone---it is rather costly, in the $2,000

range but WELL worth the recovery. Dr. T is on top of all the newest

integrative methods.

I am 64 years old and highly functional----paceing and good sleep keep me

moving.

God Bless,

Sara

>

> I remember in 2003 being so tired, just like you described, that I could

> hardly function. I was ready to call it quits at age 51 and just go to

> bed. I dreamed about laying in a hammock in the sunshine and having

> someone take care of me. I was in bed 12-14 hours at night, then napped

> 2-1/2 hours twice a day, and still was exhausted the next day. I was

> researching on the internet and found Dr. Dantini, contacted him

> and had blood work done (he is in Florida but does phone consults). I

> tested high for several viruses, retested my food allergies (which were

> out of control).