Anonymous asked this question on 5/9/2000:
Hello Frances, I have been through a major depression which started about 2.5 years ago.
Prior to that many major stressors had occurred in my life. After the birth of my last child, I had two episodes of hemoraerging (one in hospital at birth and one three weeks later). A D & C was performed and can no longer have children due to the complications etc. The result is Asherman's syndrome. My depression has lifted a great deal with help of medication, but when overly stressed I want to sink. The fatigue never goes away. I drag myself through my days waking up feeling this way. Mental clarity is a continuing issue, as well as concentration.
I guess my problem is that the energy never seems to hold out long enough for a normal day. There is never enough left to just end my day without that draggin feeling. I wake up feeling dragged out each day. It has just been suggested that I may want to test for imbalances in the copper and zinc in my body. I simply do not know.
Can you suggest anything else that I can do to try to add energy to my life? I am so tired of being exhausted. Could this be CFS-how would I get a diagnosis. One of my doctors said if I had depression, it couldn't be CFS. Any ideas or help that you can give would be really appreciated.
Frances1234 gave this response on 5/10/2000:
Hi, I don't now why someone couldn't have both depression and CFS. Have you had any blood tests done? Your tiredness, draginess, and inability to concentrate could have several causes. A thorough physical exam including blood work is a start. ask what your hemoglobin is. get a female doctor who may be more patient. there is a reason for feeling this way so persist until you find it. takes naps if you can but limit yourself. don't sleep all day. I have found it necessary to rest from 1:30 to 2:30 daily. I attribute it to low energy from arthritis. so I just sleep my nap and no longer feel guilty about it. It is frustrating as heck when your body can't keep up with your mind. I have had to learn to get certain things done, do a few others if I can, and forget the rest.Get some sunshine if you can.That is a natural chemical converter that works as an anti-depressant as well. some types of anti-despressant meds. lift the depression but have a draggy feeling as a side effect. ask the doctor about it. don't stop trying. Frances
Anonymous asked this follow-up question on 5/10/2000:
Thank you for your response, Frances. Have appointment next week and will try above advice. Have you ever heard of the copper and zinc imbalances giving fatigue? There is a website www.annlouise.com the author of which wrote the book "Why am I still tired" (this is where my question and curiosity was aroused. She is suggesting this to be a reason for the tiredness some of us feel. So you have any knowledge of this or can suggest any other areas that I can look up?
Thanks again Frances
Anonymous asked this follow-up question on 5/10/2000:
see my second question above please. thanks.
Frances1234 gave this response on 5/10/2000:
Hello again, yes, I have heard of the zinc and copper theory. the reason to check your hemoglobin is to check the red blood cells because they bind the oxygen which is carried throughout. since each cell needs o2 to live, if the hemoglobin is low, so is the o2 and other nutrients carried..'tired blood'. iron supplements help.so it stands to reason we could be low in other minerals as well. have you consulted a naturopath? I had a homeopathic experience this winter that was provided by an elderly Russian chemist. it saved my life.."Russian penicillin". Again your symptoms could have numerous causes so it is important to find out just what is causing you to feel this way as well as to find what cures it. You do not want to 'mask' something serious. Stay in touch. I am curious too about what is going on with you.Frances
The average rating for this answer is 5.
Anonymous rated this answer a 5.
many thanks-will let you know.