Advice

[Klaura]

I'm currently being treated for major treatment-resistant depression, OCD, and anxiety which I've had for about 7 years. I have been on a number of medications for a while (they sometimes change based on side effects). I've been spiraling lately due to fatigue which has been getting worse for the last year to a point in which I'm not longer able to function properly. I've walked out of work crying because I'm so exhausted and can't handle finishing the day. I was having suicidal thoughts in the last months and my psychiatrist upped my medication and that has helped stop the suicidal thoughts however I don't feel any better.

Therapy does not work and my psychiatrist has told me not to bother with electroconvulsive therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation because he does not believe it will work for me. I'm waiting to start DBT however this won't occur for at least another two months. Something desperately needs to change because I am all out of hope. I'm so exhausted that it feels like I'm fighting to stand up straight, my body is weak, I find it hard to finish a sentence. I feel like my body is going to fail on me and besides polycystic ovary syndrome and sleep apnoea, there seems to be nothing else physically wrong with me. My fatigue is compounded by insomnia; Some nights I can sit up for 3-4 hours before I sleep and then I wake up constantly during the night. My diet sucks because I don't care and I can't be bothered to make anything and I can't exercise because even walking makes me feel like I'm going to collapse. I get so breathless and my muscles hurt even after a few steps (I have had an iron infusion in the last six months which didn't help). I feel like I can't function anymore and no matter what I try, nothing seems to help.

Does anyone have any advice for treatment options or how to lessen the fatigue?

[softdrinksandwich]

Hi Klaura,

I'm glad you shared this here and you're looking for advice. I've been in a similar headspace and can relate to a lot of what you're going through.

As a potential starting point, I would recommend seeing a health professional for medication that can help you sleep. My fatigue and mental health severely struggle when I've been lacking in sleep - starting there may help with the fatigue and your body's routine.

Also, how is your work/life balance? I found I would be struggling more if work felt overwhelming. In a period where I burnt out, I took 3 months off doing any work and it was well needed. Is an extended break possible for you, so you can focus on your own well being?

On the note of therapy not working, can I ask what is not working for you? Sometimes it can be the person you speak to, and there's a lot of value in finding the right therapy, not just any therapy. Curious to hear your experiences about it.

[Klaura]

Thank you so much for replying!

I definitely think the fatigue is getting to me so seeing a doctor would be good.

I’ve cut down my hours at work which is certainly helping but I’m not able to take a break simply because I won’t be able to afford my care.

I’ve done exposure therapy which worked for my OCD which helped with that but the cbt didn’t seem to help. I hopped around a few psychs but all we did was talk about what was going on and the logic behind my feelings but it doesn’t make me feel better. I still feel the same hopelessness when I walk out.

[bluenight]

Hey klaura

I can relate to how you're feeling, it's such a hard place to be in. Last year I felt the same, I had no motivation and energy, everything was a massive struggle. Then I went on an antidepressant and within a week all my motivation and energy returned to normal. I'm only trying to illustrate how depression can affect your energy levels, it may not be a physical problem you have. In saying that, the insomnia is probably adding to your fatigue.

Maybe consider different medication? Is the meds your on possibly causing it?

[Klaura]

Thanks for getting back to me!

I’m currently on about 6 different medications and that’s just keeping me stable enough to kind of function. I’ve tried changing my meds around but it doesn’t seem to help. The antidepressants have certainly decreased the dark thoughts though.

I’ve had insomnia for a long time but it seems to have gotten a lot worse recently.