Extreme Fatigue in a 26 y/o Female

NurseFirst · Apr 23, 2005

Sharann - Thank you for your post! It reinforced that I am doing the right thing.
We intend to keep looking until an answer is found... hopefully soon! As I said earlier I am even willing to take my last vacation day and time off without pay if needed to take her to Houston to see this Dr. Arem! She is my heart and I will do EVERYTHING in my power to help her.
Again, I appreciate all the care and concern I have found through these posts!

I think one of the primary reasons for not speculating on medical diagnoses is because if we did that routinely, the board would quickly get overwhelmed with those kinds of threads, thus subverting the original purpose of the board.

But...you didn't know that, so don't worry. (It does help to read the TOS, though, when you join a board.)

As far as Provigil--yes, it is a very good drug. In Europe, I believe, they actually use it (or at least a close relative) as an anti-depressant. However, it has not been studied and okayed for that purpose with the FDA. Unfortunately, provigil is EXTREMELY expensive--practically street drug prices--at $5/pill. Its only "on-label" (i.e., FDA approved) use is for narcolepsy--at least the last time I checked, a couple of years ago.

NurseFirst

sbic56, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2005

I think she needs to go to a major medical center for exhaustive testing. June, your daughter is young and has her 3 kids to care for. She is lucky to have you! A mom will go anywhere to find help for her child. Don't be sorry for coming here. You didn't offend me or anyone here(almost). You just keep asking questions and fighting for an answer.She has SOMETHING obviously. Kidluvnrn, I don't think anyone was diagnosing here, just sharing therir own experiences, lending compassion and opinion not medical advice.Wishing you all the luck.

Absolutely agree with this. June's daughter is not getting the medical attention she needs and the people who have posted on this thread are trying to help by bounce ideas around. Nobody is diagnosing anything. Nobody is violating the TOS, just trying to help someone by tossing out some ideas. Shesh.

Mandarella · Apr 23, 2005

This is ridiculous. I have seen sooo many posts of this caliber and not once have I seen people act this way. Posters have always been so supportive.

A person had some questions and was looking for knowledge and or experience to get some ideas where to start looking. No one is diagnosing here, just expressing their concern and their personal experience.

Most of the posters on this board are like family and always bounce off of each other, whether it be good news, heartache or just questions in general, there are forums to show pictures, forums to share jokes or funny stories, etc . People are comfortable enough here to roll these questions around.

I say if these posts bother you that much then don't read & respond to them. There is no selling products or off color or offensive language being used here. There is enough stress in life, why nit-pick?

If anyone is offended for some reason then I apologise, but lets try to have some heart here for a mom that is trying desparately to find out the questions she/& daughter need to be asking to get her well again.

Let's get back to the "family & friends" way this board mostly travels and try to understand and help each other when we can.

June55Baby · Apr 27, 2005

Hello to all of you who have been so kind to me on this thread.

I wanted to give an update on my daughter. On Monday, her PCP came to my office here at the hospital and we had a 45 minutes discussion on my daughter and her history and symptoms. He referred her to an internist and today she went to see the internist. This guy is running a test for Addison's Disease, checking her B12, doing a test for Mono, and some other blood tests. He hopes to have most of the results back by Friday and the rest by Monday.

Please continue to keep us (her) in your thoughts and prayers as we search for an answer and treatment.

Thank you all again for your caring concern.

Mandarella · Apr 27, 2005

You bet! Please keep me posted, my fingers are crossed for you.:icon_hug:

L/DRNinMO · Apr 27, 2005

I am so sorry to hear that your daughter is having so much trouble. Aside from the things you mentioned has she been tested for Mono? I have never has it but hear it just completely wipes you out for a very long time. The other thing that comes to mind is a chemical imbalance. I was diagnosed last summer and after 6 months of trying anti-depressants have found the perfect combination. I refuse to call it depression, because I do not think that would be the correct diagnosis. I feel that after 11 years on the night shift, I have managed to mess up my hormones. My doctor attributed it to low seritonon levels. I feel like me again. Nothing more...nothing less. It was the best thing I could have done for myself and my family. Hope this helps.

First I want to apologize for this post being so long, but I'm hoping to get some information and/or ideas on how to help my daughter.
My daughter is 26 years old, married, with 3 children. During her last pregnancy in 2003, she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease. She has had symptoms of hypothyroidism on and off ever since the diagnosis was made and has had several adjustments made to her Synthroid and has always "bounced back". She has T4s, TSHs, and other thyroid tests drawn frequently, but they always come back normal.
In December, she had a viral syndrome and was hospitalized for 24 hours. Ever since that time she has had overwhelming fatigue along with a weight loss of about 15-20#. She went from a size 8 to a size 2 ! She describes the fatigue as more than just being real tired ... more like she has to rest after taking a shower and a trip down the driveway to the mailbox wears her out.
Recently, she has had trouble concentrating. She went to the doctor yesterday and the office nurse sorta blew her off saying, "anybody with three kids under the age of 5 is tired." Even the doctor sorta blew her off saying he couldn't find anything wrong with her, maybe she's depressed, maybe she's doing too much, maybe she not eating well.
She was a little offended, but refuses to be brushed off. She is taking very good care of herself, has stopped doing alot of outside activities (she is a stay at home mama), eats well, takes vitamins, etc. She is not anemic. She claims she is not depressed or anxious, is happy and seems to be so to me.
The doctor examined her and drew more blood for tests.
As an aside, I have Type 1 diabetes and Graves Disease, my father had rheumatoid disease, a cousin was recently diagnosed with MS... so autoimmune disease runs rampant in our family.
Do any of you have experience with Hashimoto's or Hypothyroidism? Any ideas of what could be causing the fatigue and weight loss?
I have thought of Addison's Disease, MS, heavy metal poisoning, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, fibromyalgia, but I have no experience with any of these.
Any ideas or information/advice will be greatly appreciated.

FF133 · Apr 27, 2005

What you have described in your daughter sounds much like what I went through a few years ago. I was told many times that my being tired was due to depression. I was even sent to counseling all to find out that the depression what coming from a medical problem. I was diagnosied with hyperthyroid. My thyroid was over active to the point of having night mares and sleep paralysis. I too would wake in the morining and need to take a nap after having gotten dressed. My heart was beating so hard and fast that I would vibrate the person next to me. I lost weight easily and was mentally drained (college grades suffered). My thyroid was removed through surgery and I take synthroid. It took a long time after that to regulate my dosage. Our body's needs change over time and what is a normal T3 and T4 for one person may not be what is right for someone else. My suggestion is for your daughter to find a doctor that is willing to treat the patient and not the lab results. It took me three years to find that doctor and now I feel wonderful.

Best of luck to you and your family. I will keep you in my prayers.

June55Baby · Apr 29, 2005

4/29/05 Latest Update

First, I want to thank ALL OF YOU who have taken the time to read and respond to my posts. Your support is invaluable!

Now for the update. Daughter got results of labs today. Everything was normal EXCEPT whatever test they used to measure her cortisol was suspiciously low. Holly's result was 7 normal is 10-20. I am not sure what test it was since I'm getting this second hand from her, but I would guess it is a cortisol level.

Now she is going to have a follow up ACTH Stimulation Test. And if that is positive, the physician wants to determine if Addison's is secondary to a tumor of her pituitary or hypothalamus or if this is primary. Seems if she had a pituitary tumor, it would have shown up on the CT and/or MRI done the end of December.

Anyway... she is getting the help she needs and wants.

Coincidentally, another patient of this physician the same age as my daughter is having the exact same symptoms (except she does not have Hashimoto's) and is going through the same tests as Holly.

Thank you all again!

sbic56, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2005

4/29/05 Latest Update
First, I want to thank ALL OF YOU who have taken the time to read and respond to my posts. Your support is invaluable!
Now for the update. Daughter got results of labs today. Everything was normal EXCEPT whatever test they used to measure her cortisol was suspiciously low. Holly's result was 7 normal is 10-20. I am not sure what test it was since I'm getting this second hand from her, but I would guess it is a cortisol level.
Now she is going to have a follow up ACTH Stimulation Test. And if that is positive, the physician wants to determine if Addison's is secondary to a tumor of her pituitary or hypothalamus or if this is primary. Seems if she had a pituitary tumor, it would have shown up on the CT and/or MRI done the end of December.
Anyway... she is getting the help she needs and wants.
Coincidentally, another patient of this physician the same age as my daughter is having the exact same symptoms (except she does not have Hashimoto's) and is going through the same tests as Holly.
Thank you all again!

So glad she is getting the care she needs! I had a hunch about the cortisol, because I know it can be affected with Hashimoto's, but that may be just a piece of it, as you say. These autoimmune diseases can be so pervasive and origins difficult to pinpoint, but it looks like things are happening now and answers are forthcoming. Did she change physicians? Best of luck to you all. Keep us posted!

katiehydrangea · Dec 26, 2010

Hi there, just read your post about your daughter and you mentioned the fact that she was hospitalized for a viral infection and that it was after that she was having the severe fatique. Maybe its the virus? Not sure if she has seen an infectious disease specialist but you may ask her doctor if having had this virus would warrant a visit to investigate that possibility.

Is she doing better? Hope so!

leslie :-D · Dec 26, 2010

Hi there, just read your post about your daughter and you mentioned the fact that she was hospitalized for a viral infection and that it was after that she was having the severe fatique. Maybe its the virus? Not sure if she has seen an infectious disease specialist but you may ask her doctor if having had this virus would warrant a visit to investigate that possibility.
Is she doing better? Hope so!

hi katie,

i just wanted to point out, this thread is 5.5 yrs old.

and so, to answer your question, i certainly hope she's doing better.:)

leslie

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Dec 26, 2010

To Kelly: There are some really great medications out there for the treatment of Narcolepsy. I work in a sleep clinic and the docs don't usually prescribe Ritalin because it isn't very effective. Ask your doctor about Provigil or Vivactil. You don't have to live with constant fatigue! Where are you at in Ohio?

My doctor did mention Provigil after the diagnosis..but the neurologist pushed for the Ritalin - lucky me!!! I live in the Fairlawn/Cuyahoga Falls area. Originally from Cleveland area. Thank you for taking the time to respond :)

After being hospitalized for a BP of 55/30 and a HR of 45, I was tested for everything from Addison's dx to a pit tumor. My docs could never figure out what it was, but put me on Provigil. This was the silver bullet for me. It is ridiculously expensive, and you have to get your GP to fight for you, but it is well worth it. Provigil has allowed me to resume a normal life. Please look into this option for your daughter. It saved me.