Chronic fatigue or weight related fatigue?
I'm a lupus patient, but, fortunately, have been able to avoid taking prednisone for a few years, now. However, for the past few months, I can't tell if I'm just suffering chronic fatigue, or a lupus relapse, or another effect of losing the weight loss battle.
Sometimes, it's really hard to tell the difference. I usually can tell if I'm going through a lupus relapse because I get an onslaught of symptoms, including the butterfly rash across my forehead and cheeks, heaviness in my legs and ridiculous fatigue. Since the holidays, I've not been able to shed the 5 or 6 pounds I gained, and it has only worsened. This seems to contribute to my feeling of fatigue.
Lately, I can hardly stay awake, and I'm not getting recuperative sleep. My body is terribly bloated and I can't seem to resolve it. My doctor keeps telling me to eat more fruits and vegetables, but I already maintain a pretty healthy eating regimen.
Has anyone ever suffered uncontrollable, long-term fatigue?
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Alysiak, have you incorporated into your dietary plan omega 3 oil supplements or added more salmon to your diet? I recently learned that data gathered during a study conducted with lupus patients showed that those taking fish oils reported feeling better than those given the placebo. This study was published by the Journal of Rheumatology and can be read full text here: http://www.jrheum.org/content/31/8
There are so many causes of fatigue, but long-term fatigue needs serious attention. Have you checked your minerals lately, including magnesium and iron? Are you experiencing stress? It sounds from your posting that you are not getting a good resting sleep. This may be the main cause of your fatigue! Stress also causes weight gain due to increase levels of cortisol. Rhodiola is a great herbal supplement to help with stress. Melatonin 5mg before bed time should help you with a restorative sleep.
I wish you well.
Hi, Virginia:
I do get Omega-3 fatty acids from salmon and other foods, and I'm trying to deal with a chronic iron deficiency that had plagued me since childhood (can't take iron supplements, so I have to get it from foods). My electrolyte intake is usually pretty good (I am a distance runner, lol!).
Stress? Not really, although I am a Type A+ personality. I did start taking a Melatonin supplement, recently. Have you ever heard of anyone complaining of a weird sensation similar to withdrawal from it, though? My legs feel very strange the following day. Have not heard of Rhodiola, so will check into that. Haven't seen my Naturopath in a few years, either, lol!
You had once suggested eliminating gluten from my regimen, and I'm going to try that. I think there may very well be a connection between that and some of the weight and overall health issues.
Thanks a bunch!
Alysia, I'm really sorry that you're dealing with this right now. You're such an active and health-conscious soul that I'm sure it's doubly frustrating to you.
I wouldn't think that 5 or even 10 extra pounds would lead to that much extra fatigue. Especially because you run, you do your Wii, and you eat well. It might be mentally draining -- I know my extra weight carries psychological weight as well -- but it wouldn't seem that it alone would be responsible for what you're feeling.
Have you ever had a similar episode of chronic fatigue in the past that wasn't related to a lupus relapse?
You mentioned prednisone in your first sentence; is that something that you have to take during a relapse?
I did find this article on lupus patients and fatigue. It seems to suggest that bouts of chronic fatigue are common to lupus patients without necessarily being a relapse:
http://www.hss.edu/conditions_14565.asp
I'm assuming there haven't been any changes in your daily life that would affect your sleep habits. Here's a page on lupus and insomnia, with a few tips that might help if you've forgotten about them over the years:
http://www.uklupus.co.uk/sleep.html
Alysia, I know we have both written about the Flat Belly Diet; have you tried their four-day anti-bloat jumpstart? It focuses on lean fish and poultry, small amounts of fat, vegetables and MUFAs, in addition to drinking water infused with lemon, cucumber, mint and ginger. (I leave the ginger out, but otherwise I love it). I'm in my third day and am starting to notice a bit of results -- just seeing 3 pounds' difference on the scale can be huge for me.
And have you had your hormones checked lately? Could changing hormonal levels be responsible for the insomnia?
Hi, Diane:
I am going to wait until after this weekend's marathon to try the anti-bloat jump start, because I don't want to do anything new this close to the event. I do have a daily morning cup of hot lemon water, and used to make a daily iced ginger tea.
Come to think of it, I've fallen off some of my best healthy habits ever since I started my new contract and have had to commute to the client site. Hmmm...there must be some connection! I was teaching my DH about MUFAs just last night (he loves avocadoes and olives).
About hormonnes, I am post-menopausal. What hormones, LOL! But, you're right, I do need to have them checked. :))
My mother has lupus. She had long-term fatigue and stiffness of the joints caused by taking alfalfa tablets she bought from a health food store. Once she stopped taking the tablets she began to feel better. When I read your post to her ,she asked if were taking anything that may contain ALFALFA which can cause long-term fatigue and other problems.