Do I have chronic fatigue?

[Flamingolady]

Hello lovely’s!

So I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety pretty much since I was a child. I’ve gone through some really difficult times but for the majority of my life it’s something that’s always just kind of there.

I would say I am extremely high functioning - I have a physical job and no one would know that I’m struggling. Also known at work as being the girl who’s always happy - go figure lol.

anywho, for over a year now I’ve felt exhausted. And I mean exhausted. It’s getting to the point now where I am low functioning on my days off (low functioning for me). Struggling to do basic chores and shower, having regular naps, headaches constantly and always feeling heavy.

it’s getting to the point where I have had to have some days off work, but when I’m at work I’m a different person, I don’t stop and I work ridiculously hard and don’t feel like I’m incapable of doing things. However it writes me off for my days off, and I have no life outside of work.

I’m about to see a psychiatrist after extensive talks with my doctors and not finding any other reasons through blood tests etc. she mentioned it could be chronic fatigue stemming from mental health issues. I feel like this makes sense.

i can’t help but feel an overwhelming surge of guilt. I’ve been reading some forums and sounds like others with CFS are very low functioning and it makes me feel like I’m being a hypochondriac sometimes. I’m torn between giving in to the fact that there might be something wrong here and I should recognize that I’m having a hard time, and the other half of me knows it could be worse and you should be grateful.

does anyone else have this guilt? What are your experiences with anxiety/depression and cfs? Can you have cfs but still be high functioning in a professional capacity? Has medication for anxiety/depression helped with cfs?

give me some love friends because I’m spiraling a little!

[sunnyl20]

Hello Flamingolady,

Welcome to the forums. Love the name by the way 🙂

Thank you for sharing so openly and honestly.

I am sorry to hear you have been struggling so much over the past year - it sounds like you are exhausted and feeling pretty awful. It can be especially difficult when you don't have answers - when there is uncertainty over what the cause/origin/diagnosis of what you are or may be suffering actually is. The not knowing and inconclusive tests can feel disheartening. Have you got family and/or friends that you feel close to and able to talk with about your struggles?

You may have already been over this (and I apologise if that is the case) but is there a possibility you are completely burnt out from work and need a solid bit of time off (3-4 weeks)? It sounds like you really push yourself a lot at work and have very high expectations of yourself there.

From what you've mentioned, your exhaustion is causing you to struggle with basic chores. You are drained. It sounds like you are having a hard time. You do not need to feel guilty for this. Whether you have CFS or not, you do not need to feel guilty for how you are coping with what's been happening. If you feel that support or treatment or medical advice is what you need - you should seek that out, you know yourself and your body best. Just try not to read too much "Dr Google" and things like that though, you can fall down a rabbit hole of stress and rumination (I only say this because I have done it myself and seen others stress themselves to no end looking too much into things online).

I don't really have much personal experience with CFS, and don't know enough about it to answer your questions, so will leave that for others to reply to. But I really hope that you are able to find some support and answers, and get back to feeling like you did before all the exhaustion and associated symptoms began.

Sending love your way. Please be kind to yourself and take care.

[Guest_4643]

Hi Flamingolady, welcome.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this, but you would be best seeking medical advice from a GP and/or Psychiatrist.

[Flamingolady]

Can I just say a massive thankyou for your reply.

it’s really nice to have someone listen to you and validate the way you’re feeling.

really appreciating all the love that I’m seeing on these forums. Sometimes just venting really helps 🙂

[Flamingolady]

Thankyou for reply! I am seeing an amazing gp and about to see a psychiatrist. Just wanted to hear everyone else’s personal experiences with chronic fatigue and vent a little. Cheers.

[Amanda2000]

Hi Flamingolady,

Yes I've experienced similar.

Just like you, I'm a different person at work. I go above and beyond the call of duty. No one would ever guess that I suffer from depression and anxiety. I think the reason here is that work serves as a good distraction for me to forget about my problems.

I hope you'll find some answers from your doctors. For me, my own research and self-diagnosis have unearthed some reasons for my fatigue:

food intolerance - some foods make me feel drowsy instantly and give me digestion issues. I'm still working out my "safe foods" through a process of elimination. Eating has added to my misery!

hormones - you know, depending on time of the month.

noise - I get extreme anxiety from noise. Weekends/school holidays are my worst nightmare when everyone is at home.

[Guest_4643]

I understand Flamingolady, we're just not professionals here that's all