Fatigue and anxiety

[Ant86]

Hi all,

Hoping to get some advice (new to these forums).

Prior to 12 months ago I believe I had my anxiety under control, a bit of social anxiety and overthinking (trying to control everything).

12 months ago I went to the dentist for a routine check and he found a cyst in my left jaw, this was a sudden shock. A few days later my grandmother who I was very close with passed away (I witnessed it in hospital). Then few days after that I had the surgery. I was alright for a few weeks then became bedridden and completely sick. Dentist determined that I had a infection on the right side of my face and he would need to put me under local and clear it out which he did. Few weeks passed and I began to feel very sick again to the point where I admitted myself to hospital and put on IV. Dentist saw me and said the bone graft in my jaw was infected and he had to clear it out under general anaesthetic. Few days passed and that was done and thankfully I haven’t had any problems there since.

About a month after that my wife and I had our wedding which was also stressful leading up to it, planning, organising etc.

After the wedding I developed a condition called Labyrinthitis which is an issue with vertigo and dizziness which I experienced throughout the honeymoon and several months afterwards.

After that I had been experiencing on and off sinus / flu / viral infections for the proceeding months as with on and off fatigue.

At the moment (12 months later) it seems like my sinus issues are starting to get better but I’m left with extreme fatigue which has made working very difficult.

Also throughout this 12 month period my wife and I have been building a house which has also been stressful.

We are due to move house in the next few weeks and I’m extremely exhausted (still working). My sleep has been poor for the last few months with thoughts racing around my head constantly about this house. I’m also chronically worried about my health now and have been googling non stop (I know it’s bad).

I’m seeing a psychologist trained in CBT at the moment and she’s helping but I’m finding it very difficult to work and function with this fatigue.

Cheers.

[Croix]

Dear Ant86~

You certainly have had a lot to contend with in recent times, the death of your Grandmother, dental surgery and its aftermath, the Labyrinthitis and sinus, flu and viral infections. I'm not a doctor but can ask - do you think the dizzy spells and infections were related? Plus of course the wedding. Even though all that is now in the past moving into your new house is still in front of you.

It's not really surprising your anxiety is back out of control. With little sleep plus the anxiety itself fatigue is a pretty normal result. Recovery from illness too leads to few physical resources. Anxiety takes a great deal of energy, not leaving much for other things. I've gone for periods where the effort to keep going due to such tiredness was unreal. Remaining at work under the circumstances must be very difficult.

Hopefully you are now completely recovered for residual infections and the move will be problem free.

I'm sure you would know from the past that treating anxiety can sometimes be a slow business. I'm glad you are seeking medical help and that it is having some effect. And no, using Dr google is not good:)

Health worry is hard to deal with. I've had umpteen tests of all sorts for physical symptoms caused by anxiety and depression, and have often had a hard time believing the results when they came back negative.

On the practical side, is it possible to take leave from work for the move, so you can just devote what energies you have to that?

I found that, apart from meds and therapy I really needed to reduce the stress in everyday life so as to lessen the anxious thoughts. Lifestyle with exercise, healthy eating, concentration on sleep hygiene and plenty of distractions - on a regular basis - are all employed. I try to avoid any situation that I know will raise stress levels -and this even includes such things as not watching the news.

There is a thread
Forums / Anxiety / SELF HELP TIPS FOR MANAGING ANXIETY
Which as a lot of techniques in it. I found it well worth wading though it (it's long)

Do you have support at home when anxious? I find if I talk with my partner it really helps, plus also gives me more perspective, otherwise my judgment tends to be off, erring in seeing far too many problems.

Croix