Advice about Exhaustion & Fatigue
Parent Q&A
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Functional Health Doctor for Deeply Exhausted Mom
–Oct 23, 2024I’m in my early 40s with two young kids, and though I have always felt “deeply exhausted,” more recently I have felt such deep deep levels of exhaustion that it has caught me a bit off guard. No amount of sleep makes me feel better, and I’m beginning to feel pain in my body.
I don’t eat well nor do I exercise - I’m just trying to juggle life is an active mother, lawyer, cook, cleaner, etc.What I’m looking for is a functional medicine doctor that can help me through what I’m hoping to be a journey to good health. Maybe even a message therapist too? I want to fix this, but I don’t know where to start really.
Oct 23, 2024Reply now »Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 15yo
–Jan 17, 2023My 15 year old daughter has had many of the symptoms of CFS for about a year. Joint pain, always exhausted, brain fog, daily dizziness, and night sweats. Kaiser has done many tests and everything is normal. I know CFS (or Lyme) is hard to diagnose or treat. Ugh. Any recommendations for what we should do?
Jan 17, 2023Sudden horrible headaches and exhaustion
–Sep 25, 2021A person who I am in part responsible in caring for (mid 20's) has suddenly developed incapacitating daily, horrible, electric headaches, gets out of breath walking even a block (before this he regularly ran ten or more miles no problem), has trouble concentrating, can barely read a few pages without getting wiped out (as a humanities grad student he normally reads several books a day). He went to the ER where they said he needs to get head MRI and a neurologist--can anyone recommend any particular neurologists (not Kaiser), and if there are other specialists that might be appropriate?
Thank you very much.
Sep 25, 2021PCP who believes CFS/ME is real
–Dec 19, 2019I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalitis (CFS/ME) and a host of other related health issues. I am getting great care from a medical doctor who specializes in these disorders, but I need a new PCP for regular health care unrelated to CFS/ME. I’m looking for someone who I can see for preventive care, mammograms, injuries, etc., who will not be dismissive of me because of the CFS/ME diagnosis. I need someone who understands that CFS/ME is a real disease and is willing to be educated about it if not already aware of recent research developments, who will not tell me that everyone is tired, it is stress-related, it is in my head, or try to refer me for mental health care, and who is comfortable with me getting unconventional (but helpful) treatment from my specialist. Anyone in a similar position who loves their PCP? Anyone who just plain loves their PCP and thinks that they’d be open to working with me? Thank you!
Dec 19, 2019Fatigue in peri-menopause? or just fatigue? Help!
–May 22, 2019I am sort of at a loss. I'm almost 44, no idea when my mom went through menopause or what her symptoms were. I have never been a morning person, and always found it hard to get out of bed in the morning or function for the first hour or so. But lately it's gotten WAY worse. It doesn't matter how much sleep I get. how good the sleep is, how much exercise I get, how much sugar I eat... I CANNOT get out of bed in the morning. Even if I've gotten 10 hours of sleep!
Is this peri-menopause? Something else? Any ideas? I take vitamins, I eat healthy, I don't have much caffeine, and I've had my iron tested and I'm fine.
My doctor doesn't know what to do. Has anyone else experienced this??
May 22, 2019Overly sensitive exhausted mom-how to cure it???
–Oct 14, 2017If you had this problem and recognize yourself in my description please comment from your own experience.
I am so tired, do not know what to do. I had always been very sensitive, reacting to everything but over the last few years when I approached mid40s and all hormonal premenopausal changes after a very stressful life it became very bad. It is like constant PMS. Every tiny little negative thing hurts me a lot, way out of proportion to a stressor. It is like if I had no skin emotionally. Every rude word, every even little stress, every sad news I heard on TV, even listening to a sad song can make me cry.
My ability to handle stress has disappeared now. It is one of symptoms of adrenal fatigue syndrome-have all the other symptoms too and cortisol test confirmed. I am exhausted, anxious and depressed all the time.
It is so hard to function like that. I am overreacting all the time. Little things which most people would easily ignore, make me sad for days or weeks. I do my best to avoid negative people and do not listen to sad news on TV if I can.
I work in medical field so it is very stressful and patients LOVE me because of that extra compassion and empathy that I feel their pain and do my best to relieve it. But downside is that I suffer from this, getting sad all the time and those overwhelming emotions interfere with my ability to function.
I am a single mom of a teenager. Have a dog. Tried so far without success: therapy for 6 months each with 2 therapists (CBT and EMDR), meditation, light exercise, healthy food, vitamins, limiting negativity (from TV, newspapers and staying away from negative angry people), herbal calming teas. Helped a little only increasing sleep time and doing less work/going on vacation but finances do not allow to decrease work anymore.
Please how to get this "thick skin"? How to became calm and happy and a little numb to pain? How to care less? Was anyone able to achieve it? I do not want to become heartless or indifferent but I want to stop suffering from every little thing. Were you able to overcome it and to become calm?
Please do not suggest meds, or going to the doctor or taking hormones. Would like to find natural, not chemical solution.
Oct 14, 2017Naturopath recommendation for adrenal fatigue?
–Aug 20, 2017By the time my child was 2.5 I stopped sleeping well--after the first two years of normal wake ups with a baby and for nursing. Now two more years have passed and I still can't get enough sleep. I have been prescribed medications that make me sleep but don't address the underlying cause. Does anyone know of a good Naturopath who can diagnose and treat what I am guessing is adrenal fatigue/HPA Axis dysfunction?
Aug 20, 2017Desperately need help for adrenal fatigue
–May 31, 2017So after many years of stress in a high-pressure job and then having a baby 3 years ago, I feel totally out of whack.
It is like I can't function at all from 9am to around 2pm and this state of disfunction gets me so depressed and low and I feel so helpless. Then, all of a sudden at 4pm the fog lifts and I feel myself again, feel the energy coming back.
And when it is 10pm and time to sleep, Im so wired! I tried melatonin, it doesn't work I feel all jittery in the morning.
I did some saliva tests which confirmed my symptoms spot on. I have significantly lower than the minimum range corsitol in the mornings and then late afternoon onwards it starts to surge and high cortisol levels just before bedtime.
How can I get my rythmn back, would love some recommendations for practitioners (MD preferred) who specialize in adrenal fatigue? I am trying to give up coffee which is so hard and also avoid any processed food/white sugar/flour etc
May 31, 2017
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Feb 2005
I am looking for a primary care physician, preferably female, in or near the Berkeley area. If anyone knows of one who has experience with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, that would be even better! I am on MediCal/Medicare. Thanks!
[no replies received]
Nov 2004
Does anyone know a specialist that deals with Cronic Fatigue Sydrome? If you know someone near La Morinda that would be the best. What type of doctor or specialist would you recommend? sleepy mommy
There is a wonderful endocrinologist in Lafayette named Rachelle Halpern who has an interesting approach to Chronic Fatigue (I believe she looks at mercury toxicity as a possible cause) and I know she's had great success in treating this disorder. I don't have her phone # here but I'll try to post again once I find it.
i can recommend jeffrey mandel in hayward. but if you do an online search for immunesupport.com you can get their list of ''good docs''...READ all you can about CFS/M.E.--Paul Cheney (in NC)!; Tetelbaum's book & web site, listing practitioners who have taken his workshops. Read the Nightengale book edited by Brian Hyde, Canada--a magnificent collection of research that really legitimises the disease-- Myalgic Encephalopathy. Read ''Running on Empty.'' Get off caffeine & sugar. Some people get results from the Ultra-Clear detox protocol. Pay close attention to MD's who want to give you antidepressants--read Dr Chaney's words on this, especially long-term use. I'd also be wary of any of the ''speeds'' or meds for narcolepsy until you've tried just about everything. Xyrem works for many, but finding a doc willing to prescribe this is not easy. There is a new antidepressant, IXEL or MILNACIPRAM, not available in this country, but can be obtained--designed especially for people wth FM, particularly for pain-again, beware long-term. I've had CFS/M.E. since 86 & my very best response has been from acupuncturist Jenny Crissman. Alternative medicine & therapies work really well for many with CFS/ME/FM. Amsterdam has a fabulous clinic. Read, be super informed, & don't let anyone convince you this is not real. If an MD or any health care practitioner is not willing to be creative, then find someone else immediately. Kaiser's care for people with CFS is HORRIBLE; I can tell you horror stories of scary, could-have-killed-me-if-i'd-not- known a lot (last KP care 2001.) Dr Goldstein, LA area, is well-known in the field...find a support group; subscribe to the CFS newletter from national cfs care--they are extraordinarily reliable & THE BEST SOURCE OF CARE & INFO!!!! http: // www.cfids.org/...if U R newly diagnosed, be sure you are practicing ''aggressive rest therapy.'' it's a complicated, complex, & frustrating process finding help & therapy...many treatments seem to work for a while, then stop....be sure you are adequately tested & treated for thyroid.....check out piracetam for cognitive function--it's helped me and many others--you may have to get it compounded....be aware of Multiple Chemical Sensitivities oonagh
Strong believer in functional medicine. It helped me get my life back a few years ago. I really liked Dr. Teresa Tsingus. She's super knowledgeable, empathetic, and practical. You can find her here:
https://www.lamorindanutrition.com/
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this!
My advice would be to start with a health coach that can help you safely and gently make susutainable changes around nutrition and exercise. Functional medicine should hopefully emphasize those things as well but may also recommend expensive supplements or tests that won't help if nutrition and exercise aren't part of your routine. It might also be worth putting that money towards more support for cleaning, cooking, etc. I would also recommend a mental health therapist if possible - even if this isn't depression they can also help you with the mental component of exhaustion! (from another overworked tired mom of 2)
Been there! Check out InWella (inwella.com) - they helped me tremendously with my exhaustion related to perimenopause, amongst issues with my weight, stress, brain fog, and general inflammation. They're amazing, and work virtually. They run all of the right tests and provide a clear, easy to follow plan with tons of support. :) Good luck!
This could be a simple issue to solve, such as a b12 deficiency, so you could start with bloowork with your regular doctor while you wait to get in to a new one!
Might also be a good idea to get your thyroid levels checked, especially if there is a history of hypothyroidism in your family.
I’m so sorry to hear you’re struggling with the deep exhaustion. I’ve been in a similar situation, though I of course can’t say if my root causes are the same as yours. Mine were sleep apnea, adrenal fatigue, and being in “fight or flight” mode for way too long as a result of untreated anxiety.
Definitely check w your Western Dr for bloodwork (I second the suggestion to ask for a complete thyroid panel!) and also check out Christine Dao LAc (licensed acupuncturist) and Dr Todd Maderis. I worked with both of them for years for my health when no Western Dr could find out what was wrong with me and essentially sent me the silent messages of “it’s all in my head”. Needless to say, that wasn’t helpful. But Christine and Todd WERE helpful. Wishing you answers and better health.
My local Naturopath, Dr. Katherine Monahan, specializes in women beyond 25 and helping them feel better. She has helped me on numerous occasions over the past four years related to many issues. When i was at my wit's end, she was able to sort out options and solutions. She is kind, empathetic, caring and a very good, clear-headed problem solver. I highly encourage you to reach out to her.
Katherine Monahan (she/her)
Naturopathic Doctor
Remedy Natural Medicine
katherine [at] remedynaturalmedicine.com (katherine[at]remedynaturalmedicine[dot]com)
510.543.1728
Hi there - I’ve been working with Dr. Amy Nett since April and she’s been hugely helpful in making manageable adjustments to lifestyle that have led to significant improvements in my energy levels (also an exhausted lawyer Mom of 3 and 1). One simple thing she’s recommended has been incorporating a protein rich breakfast (overnight oats or chia pudding with both a scoop of protein and a scoop of collagen( and eating to be more mindful of blood sugar balance (eg 3 solid meals with protein and fiber, rather than the quick snacks that don’t sustain me).
We’re still refining my plan but I already feel much better.
Good luck!