Help with Chronic Fatigue?
Hi, does anybody have any ideas to help combat chronic fatigue? I've got daylight lights and I use them, but if I leave them on too long I get a migraine. Fortunately I'm currently on disability but I want to get back to work. Right now I can barely get up by 11:30 AM (approx 13 hours of sleep) and then I can't really start functioning or doing anything until I eat and take my AM meds (which contain 400 mg Provigil & 400 mg Caffeine). Any advise/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." ~ Albert Einstein
Kiran
Velociraptor

Joined: 17 Jun 2010
Age: 34
Gender: Female
Posts: 443
Location: Somewhere in Scandinavia
I have the same problem and i drink a lot of coffee and energi drinks so i don't sleep my life away... It's probably not the right way to deal with this problem but it helps.
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The modern artist is working with space and time, and expressing his feelings rather than illustrating
- Jackson Pollock
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Any idea of what the cause might be behind the chronic fatigue? Have you always had chronic fatigue (from birth) or did it suddenly happen at some point in your life? By the way, both of the items you mention - Provigil - Caffeine - do work a little (not a cure) for some persons who believe they have symptoms of fatigue. Reports trickle in on a constant basis that both Provigil and Caffeine help some persons a little (again, not a cure).
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Any idea of what the cause might be behind the chronic fatigue? Have you always had chronic fatigue (from birth) or did it suddenly happen at some point in your life? By the way, both of the items you mention - Provigil - Caffeine - do work a little (not a cure) for some persons who believe they have symptoms of fatigue. Reports trickle in on a constant basis that both Provigil and Caffeine help some persons a little (again, not a cure).
I've had the chronic fatigue (along with depression & fibromyalgia) since sometime in high school (approx. 30 years). It's only in the last 5 years that I've needed the Provigil. I used to drink coffee, but I had to quit because of acid reflux and that's when I added the Caffeine tabs. The Provigil & Caffeine don't work very well, however I've tried not taking them for a couple of months and discovered that a little help is better than no help at all.
Thank you for your help.

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"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." ~ Albert Einstein
Sweetleaf
Veteran

Joined: 6 Jan 2011
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Posts: 35,029
Location: Somewhere in Colorado
You should have your doctor refer you to an endocrinologist and see if you have some sort of adrenal problem. If you see the right doctor or nurse practitioner, you can get a lot of help from really simple things like taking the right supplements, avoiding foods you're intolerant to, and doing gentle exercise (like swimming). Also I have to say, you might be getting migraines from the caffeine rather than the lights. When you have a migraine you can be light sensitive, but light shouldn't start a headache/migraine. But if you have headaches a lot it can make you really tired, it's kind of a never ending cycle.
I've been having chronic headaches and major lethargy for several years now. Doctors have given me uppers/stimulants to give me "energy" during the day but I hate taking them.
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After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true.
--Spock
I live with chronic pain and associated fatigue, I have found the use of a vibration plate exerciser helps me but it is personal choice after years of trying different gadgets and potions. Even a 2 minute session has some effect.
T.E.N.S machines, accupuncture or deep massage are other things to consider.
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Microwench
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

Joined: 24 Jan 2011
Age: 41
Gender: Female
Posts: 60
Location: Olathe, KS
I have fibromyalgia as well and I take several things for it. It has taken some time to find the right combo (it is worth the wait and the work!!) I am now the closes to 'normal' I have ever been in terms of Fibro pain and fatigue.
10mg Prozac - this was the first big amazing drop in pain and fatigue levels for me
100mg Trazadone - this has helped me (with the aid of 5mg melatonin) to get deeper and better sleep. Seems to have reduced daytime fatigue. I also feel like I wake up better/faster
1000iu Vitamin D - a recent addition after discovering my D levels were crazy low, I can't define the difference, but I just generally feel 'better'
40mg Vyvanse - this is the most recent addition. Added on due to my recent ADHD diagnosis (only took 27 yrs) and it has also lessened my Fibro symptoms. IMO this is because I am more focused and less frustrated, therefore less exausted.
The Vyvanse helps a lot with symptoms that IMO overlap between Fibro, ADD, and AS. Things like sensory overload are more tolerable now.
I've had chronic fatigue since I was a child. The Dr. said I was just lazy, and I knew I wasn't.
It got worse at church camp, sensory overload.
Lately I've summed it up to ASD, trying to deal with sensory, etc. issues. If it is something else, I'd like to get to the bottom of it.
I take Cymbalta, 60 mg, 2 times a day. This is double the usual dose, but my insurance still covers it. I noticed it is also recommended for Chronic Fatique Syndrome, and it helps with mild (unexplained) pain that I have.
I also take Abilify, 10 mg a day. I wasn't doing that well on Cymbalta alone, and Ability really made a difference.
Best wishes.
I have mild narcolepsy, a lot of my symptoms are like CFS... although lately I've had insomnia due to depression, my ADHD medication, Vyvanse, helps me stay awake as well. That wasn't its purpose, but once I got on the right dose and have been on it for a long time, I stay awake quite a bit more than I used to, and it feels natural. I don't feel wired like on caffeine, I don't crave it when it's worn off -- and it does wear off and you can sleep. Waking up can still be hard for me, but once I drag myself from my bed, med takes about 30 minutes to work and it comes on gradually, feels like a nice, natural waking up.
I don't think it's very common, but I have heard of it being prescribed to treat sleep-related things.
So it's been a surprise help for me, I love it, but it's a medicine to be taken really seriously. At first my dose was too high and I experienced arrhythmia, excessive sweating, blood constriction in hands and feet, tremors and nausea. It's not something you can take whenever you want, just to be awake, so I'm not bringing it up as something you'd use like Monster or a cup of coffee. Maybe it's something any of you could talk to your doctor about, though, and if they're willing, perhaps start on a very low dose and acclimate and see if it helps? :]
Sorry for the delay in responding. Yes, I take AM & PM meds. Anything that might help me stay awake I take in the AM and anything that might cause drowsiness I take in the PM.
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"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." ~ Albert Einstein
I am having this problem, which has steadily grown lately.
I wake up at 10am everyday whether I sleep at 8pm or 4am.
I am tired mentally and physically, excersize doesn't seem to help much but walking seems to be the best activity for me and it improves my energy. I also weight lift, sprint, do core, pushups, situps, superman, bridge, neck workout.
I find pushups in the morning to help a bit, gets everything moving again. Jumping jacks would probably help as well.
Strange...but not eating for me gives me more energy. Does this mean my fatigue is related to my digestive system?
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“It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.”
― George Washington
I wake up at 10am everyday whether I sleep at 8pm or 4am.
I am tired mentally and physically, excersize doesn't seem to help much but walking seems to be the best activity for me and it improves my energy. I also weight lift, sprint, do core, pushups, situps, superman, bridge, neck workout.
I find pushups in the morning to help a bit, gets everything moving again. Jumping jacks would probably help as well.
Strange...but not eating for me gives me more energy. Does this mean my fatigue is related to my digestive system?
Re: feeling more energetic when you don't eat. Look up "reactive hypoglycemia". It could be your body releases too much insulin too quickly after you eat and your blood sugar is down, particularly if what you just ate had a lot of simple carbs.
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