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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by wildcard on September 23, 2005, at 16:53:45
> and needed any info. at all that could be a possibility. I have had severe depression most my life (27) and never had fatigue this severe or constant. I went through hell to get in w/o *good* insurance so i want to mention all possibilities. Any help is appreciated. Thx
Posted by med_empowered on September 23, 2005, at 17:32:02
In reply to Going to see my doc Monday re: SEVERE FATIGUE, posted by wildcard on September 23, 2005, at 16:53:45
hey! First off, ask for some basic blood tests--liver function, thyroid, that kind of thing. On my insurance, its best if the doc asks for it; much, much cheaper than you suggest it. Soo...maybe your doc will request it, or perhaps you should make him/her feel like its "their" idea. Either way. Then, you might want to do some screening--the various hepatitis viruses, hiv, other stds. As for treatment...a lot of times, severe fatigue is a good indicator of intense depression; unfortunately, its also a symptom that seems to linger after antidepressant treatment. You might want a stimulating antidepressant (ex: Wellbutrin, Pamelor, higher-dose Effexor). A stimulant might also be useful; docs these days aren't keen on giving out dexedrine and adderall unless you're an ADD middle-schooler, so Provigil might be the drug of choice for this situation (its also a schedule IV drug, so you'll be able to get refills, which is super-convenient). Try to get some exercise when you feel able to. If your doc dabbles in alternative treatments, accupuncture and a visit to a nutritionist or herbalist/naturopath might be worthwhile. Avoid adding sedating medications, and try to reduce any that might be making the situation worse (grab a PDR or checkout a place like rxlist.com to check up on the common and not-so-common side effects of any meds you're on). Sometimes, though, I find that my own fatigue gets worse when my sleep is weird (sleeping at odd hours, too much/too little, or erratically). If that's the case, as-needed Ambien or something might be useful in combo with any more stimulating drugs...you should probably avoid long-term, daily use though, since consistent use of *any* sedating medication can cause or worsen depression and fatigue. Good luck!
Posted by wildcard on September 23, 2005, at 17:42:19
In reply to Re: Going to see my doc Monday re: SEVERE FATIGUE, posted by med_empowered on September 23, 2005, at 17:32:02
Thx! Something u mentioned caught my attention. I had lots of bloodwork done around March and my liver panels were way off. I never followed up on it though as the ins. issue. I take 225mg of Effexor and am going up to 300mg starting today. I thought of asking him to add Wellbutrin until i see my pdoc. I am 100% positive i have no std's,HIV,etc., although i have a few moles i need tested for cancer as it runs very high in my family. Other than that, i eat very healthy,excercise,take a good multi V and B-12.
What cld. my liver have to do w/ the fatigue??
Posted by spriggy on September 23, 2005, at 18:31:57
In reply to Re: Going to see my doc Monday re: SEVERE FATIGUE » med_empowered, posted by wildcard on September 23, 2005, at 17:42:19
Have you been checked for Epstein Barr Virus?
I have that and it can cause you serious fatigue. It can also make you feel generally "not well" and can cause depression.
have you ever had mono? As a kid or teen?
Also, if your liver count was off, it can also cause fatigue/depression/illness.
My dad has hepatitis C and it makes him feel very sick/tired.
Posted by spriggy on September 23, 2005, at 18:33:02
In reply to Re: Going to see my doc Monday re: SEVERE FATIGUE » med_empowered, posted by wildcard on September 23, 2005, at 17:42:19
Take milk thistle supplements and drink pure cranberry juice.
It's good for the liver.
Posted by wildcard on September 23, 2005, at 20:01:47
In reply to Oh and for your liver..., posted by spriggy on September 23, 2005, at 18:33:02
Yeah i had mono real bad as a kid when it went around my school. I was hospitalized and lost 25 lbs. I was put on steroids for a long time. What cld that be in relation to?
Posted by UgottaHaveHOPE` on September 24, 2005, at 2:57:20
In reply to Going to see my doc Monday re: SEVERE FATIGUE, posted by wildcard on September 23, 2005, at 16:53:45
and you will be doing jumping jacks with all of that extra energy
Posted by wildcard on September 24, 2005, at 7:31:08
In reply to ask for Effexor, posted by UgottaHaveHOPE` on September 24, 2005, at 2:57:20
Posted by wildcard on September 24, 2005, at 11:15:37
In reply to I am on 300mg Effexor 2nd day now :( (nm), posted by wildcard on September 24, 2005, at 7:31:08
Posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2005, at 12:36:57
In reply to ask for Effexor, posted by UgottaHaveHOPE` on September 24, 2005, at 2:57:20
Last night I thought I posted a response but I must not have clicked twice. Last year a lot of posters reported liver damage with effexor. Was there any truth in this? And hepatitis C is becoming very prevelant. People can have it for years without it showing up. Just thought I'd share. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by iforgotmypassword on September 26, 2005, at 8:42:16
In reply to Re: Going to see my doc Monday re: SEVERE FATIGUE, posted by spriggy on September 23, 2005, at 18:31:57
im sorry if this sounds crazy, but at 450-600mg it should get even more norandrenergic and also *dopaminergic* so it may be stimulating, and also motivation increasing?
This is the end of the thread.
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