Lost energy

[marti]

This is more of a "support" thread. I don't expect a lot of help. Just need to get it out.

Why does everything have to be such an effort? Every little thing I used to do takes twice as long now and totally wears me out.

I tried to make cookies today. I used to cook and bake all the time. It was a pleasure for me... a release. Now I can hardly get thru it without having chest heaviness, palps, dizziness, total fatigue. I've had all the usual heart tests and they always come out very good.

The slightest thing like brushing my teeth or folding laundry.. washing a dish can flatten me out.

I'm 62, 95 lbs and should not be in this condition already. My 74 year old sister still works full time and with a new knee! It just destroys me to see older people who can enjoy life when I just watch mine go by day by day, minute by minute.

I still work part time ( 2 hours a day ) (4 days a week ) so I am getting out a little. But driving is getting to be an issue. I also have Graves Disease and IBS and Fibro. I know all these things will slow me down. I'm just not ready for it.

Sorry guys. This is the first time I've ever "ranted" here. The fatigue is just getting me down. Thanks for listening.

[Seasha]

I hear you Marti! We are about the same age. Just yesterday I was fuming over the same issues as you voiced here. It takes 10x longer for me to do anything! Of course, age is a factor and combined with MS we get a double whammy. I'm sorry you have Graves, IBS and fibro too

I've seriously had to let go of any of my self-imposed expectations. What get done, gets done. What doesn't, doesn't. Period! I do a little bit of something and then come here for my rest

That's good that you can still get out and work some!! That's saying a lot. Are you taking supplements or meds for your fatigue? Lots here have found either/or or both to manage this. I take a good combo of supplements that seem to help some.

Hope you see better days ahead and good for you for "ranting"!!! We all need this from time to time. Take care now~

[mjan]

Seems you needed to RANT.. so go ahead, anytime!

But I would not presume everything is MS.
Have you told your primary you are so exhausted?
Had a stress test?
And lastly. you have Graves.. not sure, but it could be that disease, right?

I would see your doc and get other things ruled out.

Just sayin..

but in the meantime, here's warm hug hon~ (((MARTI ))))

Jan

[marti]

Seems you needed to RANT.. so go ahead, anytime!

But I would not presume everything is MS.
Have you told your primary you are so exhausted?
Had a stress test?
And lastly. you have Graves.. not sure, but it could be that disease, right?

I would see your doc and get other things ruled out.

Just sayin..

but in the meantime, here's warm hug hon~ (((MARTI ))))

Jan

Hi Jan,

Yes, I've just recently had a stress test and an echo. My endo is keeping tabs on my thyroid levels. I am hypo now and taking Synthroid. So, I just keep coming back to the MS.

What really got me raving was that I wanted to color my hair today and just could not get started. But I did manage to make cookies. What a chore.

I am so frustrated with doctors. You go to your primary and they send you to a specialist. The specialist listens to your questions and says you need to see your primary. UGH! I've been in this revolving door way too long.

[marti]

I hear you Marti! We are about the same age. Just yesterday I was fuming over the same issues as you voiced here. It takes 10x longer for me to do anything! Of course, age is a factor and combined with MS we get a double whammy. I'm sorry you have Graves, IBS and fibro too

I've seriously had to let go of any of my self-imposed expectations. What get done, gets done. What doesn't, doesn't. Period! I do a little bit of something and then come here for my rest

That's good that you can still get out and work some!! That's saying a lot. Are you taking supplements or meds for your fatigue? Lots here have found either/or or both to manage this. I take a good combo of supplements that seem to help some.

Hope you see better days ahead and good for you for "ranting"!!! We all need this from time to time. Take care now~

Seasha I'm honored that you replied to my post. It is kind of good to hear that someone else understands. I am not taking anything for the fatigue. I tried Amantadine but I think it kept me awake at night. I can't remember. One problem I have is swallowing large pills. So some of the supplements don't work for me. I always look for small pills. But some of them don't come that way.

I just hate knowing that things I want to do will never get done. Even household chores. All the "need to do" things are in my mind, but there's nothing much I can do about them. I'm basically in good shape so it bothers me even more. At least my family doesn't think of me as "lazy".

Take care. Hoping for the best for all of us.

[JerryD]

Marti,
We all have learned to expect the unexpected with this disease. So go ahead and RANT. Please don't be a stranger. Good luck

[mjan]

Good to hear you have had other things checked out.
Maybe this is only temporary..listen to your body!

And have you checked out the supplements on Tara's Nutrition page? I have used them and they really helped.
Shashi also, and lists them in her signature.

I tried Provigil and found out I could not take it past 11AM or I would be up most of the night. It was amazing!!

Good luck and let us know how you are doing.

Sending you healing light and ENERGY~

Jan

[oceanpride]

Hey Marti

The way I see it even if a normal healthy person had to struggle as hard to do stuff as we do then they would be exhausted all the time too. Some times I think that trying to do things that takes all of your might, even for simple things, is going to take it's toll on us . Really, when you look at it like that, we are all like marathon runners that do it every day . No wonder we are tired .

[lorib]

Hi Marti!

If you are interested in a medication to help lessen the fatigue I'd recommend talking to your neuro about the ADD/ADHD drugs. I'm currently on Lexapro and take 5 mg in the am and 10 mg around 1:00 pm.

I can't remember the last time I woke up and wasn't tired as soon as I got out of bed! But Adderall and Ritalin help for me. One thing that might be good for you is I think they are both available in extended release or not. I don't get the extended release because I'm afraid it might keep me up at night. By early afternoon I'm exhausted again so I am reminded to take my second pill. Also the pills are pretty small (at least mine are). I'm pretty sure generics are available for both drugs so they're cheap. The bad part is your neuro can't call in a refill. You'll have to get a new written prescription every month because these drugs apparently have high incidences of abuse in the general population. It's a pain, but for me it's worth it.

[Tawanda]

Marti,
HANG IN THERE! You are accomplishing many things. No, we don't all move like we used to, and just getting one small thing done a day is my goal. Don't judge yourself on all the things you used to be able to do. You didn't used to be sick. It is like comparing apples and oranges. Now you need to just be the best apple (or orange) you can be and forget the rest!

Incidentally, I have had some luck with Provigel. Not a magic bullet, but sometimes it makes things easier to tolerate. If the thought of a stimulant spooks you, a half dose may be enough. Just a suggestion.
(((MARTI!!!!)))

[CaroleL]

Marti, I used to be a clean freak! USED TO BE!!! I've had no choice but to re-prioritize. Whomever doesn't like the state of my home is free to clean it! Believe me, nobody will say a word!

Maybe you can bake with a friend or family member? Do you need to work, or can you stay home? Save energy for the things you love to do. Can you sit at the table to do certain meal preparations?

Of course having to slow down because of illness is frustrating to say the least. Having to stop certain activities is depressing sometimes. It's normal to feel this way, but trust me, the feeling won't last.

I get depressed when I look at the things I can no longer do, instead of focussing on what I CAN do.

Some days I can't DO anything. Zilch! I look at hubby with a smile on my face and state that I am a HUMAN BEING, not a HUMAN DOING today.

Those days when I don't smile so much, I do like you and post about my frustration. Who better to understand? That's what we're here for.

Sending you a big squishy cyber HUG wrapped with much love!!!

[Tawanda]

Marti, I used to be a clean freak! USED TO BE!!! I've had no choice but to re-prioritize. Whomever doesn't like the state of my home is free to clean it! Believe me, nobody will say a word!

Maybe you can bake with a friend or family member? Do you need to work, or can you stay home? Save energy for the things you love to do. Can you sit at the table to do certain meal preparations?

Of course having to slow down because of illness is frustrating to say the least. Having to stop certain activities is depressing sometimes. It's normal to feel this way, but trust me, the feeling won't last.

I get depressed when I look at the things I can no longer do, instead of focussing on what I CAN do.

Some days I can't DO anything. Zilch! I look at hubby with a smile on my face and state that I am a HUMAN BEING, not a HUMAN DOING today.

Those days when I don't smile so much, I do like you and post about my frustration. Who better to understand? That's what we're here for.

Sending you a big squishy cyber HUG wrapped with much love!!!

I think messy houses really bum us women out. That's been going on for ages. I hate to hear people dis someone else's messy house. I'm sure if we could afford maids, we would have them.

[Whimpurr]

I like the "human being" instead of a "human doing" analogy , but unfortunately lately I am more the first than the second. THank God that my hubby understands and steps in without having to be asked.

It is very frustrating to sit around and see all the things that need to be done but not having the energy to do them! Very depressing for sure!