What is this? I'm a 35 Y/O Scared Mommy

[1ScaredMommy]

Hi-

I need help. I am constantly tired. It's not just tired it's non-functioning. I feel like a bad Mom because of this. I have a beautiful life, marriage, 3 year old daughter, great job, great friends and family. I am a happy very tired person. I began having insomnia 2 years ago and have been on AmbienCR every night since. I was diagnosed w/ anxiety and was prescribed Lexapro 6 months ago. I was expecting to lose all of these symtoms but it hasn't helped. I smiled more but none of these other symptoms stopped. I went to PT for neck pain but only found that massage & PT aggrivated my neck/trapezoid and it was better to just not touch. I am 5"4', 130lbs, rarely drink (only red wine), take multiple vitamins, drink plenty of water, eat well. I have been dealing with this for 2.5 years. I want to have another child but am still taking AmbienCR and Lexapro. I have tried weaning off of the Ambien but I can be non-functioning, physically exhaused and my brain will not switch into sleep mode. Any ideas on these symtoms??? I had them before taking the meds. Please help!

#1 CHRONIC INSOMNIA
#2 Horrible neck, shoulder pain w/spasms
#3 ALWAYS exhausted even if I do sleep w/Ambien CR (use every night)
#4 Trouble breathing, rapid heartbeat
#5 Spot headaches
#6 Unclear head, thoughts, brain fog
#7 Daily diarrhea
#8 Dull eyes, light sensitivity

[acuann]

Hi-

I need help. I am constantly tired. It's not just tired it's non-functioning. I feel like a bad Mom because of this. I have a beautiful life, marriage, 3 year old daughter, great job, great friends and family. I am a happy very tired person. I began having insomnia 2 years ago and have been on AmbienCR every night since. I was diagnosed w/ anxiety and was prescribed Lexapro 6 months ago. I was expecting to lose all of these symtoms but it hasn't helped. I smiled more but none of these other symptoms stopped. I went to PT for neck pain but only found that massage & PT aggrivated my neck/trapezoid and it was better to just not touch. I am 5"4', 130lbs, rarely drink (only red wine), take multiple vitamins, drink plenty of water, eat well. I have been dealing with this for 2.5 years. I want to have another child but am still taking AmbienCR and Lexapro. I have tried weaning off of the Ambien but I can be non-functioning, physically exhaused and my brain will not switch into sleep mode. Any ideas on these symtoms??? I had them before taking the meds. Please help!

#1 CHRONIC INSOMNIA
#2 Horrible neck, shoulder pain w/spasms
#3 ALWAYS exhausted even if I do sleep w/Ambien CR (use every night)
#4 Trouble breathing, rapid heartbeat
#5 Spot headaches
#6 Unclear head, thoughts, brain fog
#7 Daily diarrhea
#8 Dull eyes, light sensitivity

What was your pregnancy and labor like? Did you have the neck pain after labor? Have you had blood tests done to rule out anemia, B12 def?

What are your periods like? Are you on birth control? Do you get colds easily?

DOM

[1ScaredMommy]

Thank you for your reply. I have not had either of the tests. The Docs immediately said anxiety but the med hasn't helped.

My pregnancy was ok...delivery was 13 hours and I had a epidural. Epidural didn't work that well. I didn't really have post-pardem. Just a bit weepy like all my friends.

I am not on birth control. My husband and I have used nothing for over a year and no luck yet.

I also have horrible short term memory. Often I'll lose my train of thought mid sentence and forget what I was doing or repeat things after I just said them. I am only 35

Thank you for the ideas on the two tests.

[taniaaust1]

.. i think you may have the same issue i have got... chronic fatigue syndrome. ALL those symptoms are common with it including the anxiety thou it isnt a psychological condition as such.

i strongly advise you certainly not to go ahead with a pregnancy unless you get CFS probably ruled out.. as doing more (eg trying to raise another child).. could make it a LOT WORST (possibly permanently) and can leave one then to be unable to take care of the child one already has!!!

(i had to send my child away to live with her father as i became too unwell to be able to look after her. ive had this for 11 yrs now and are on disability now at only 36 yrs old).

** ALWAYS exhausted even if I do sleep

Thou CFS has a ton of different symptoms.. that is the one symptom you have that really really points towards you and your other symptoms as probably being CFS, (that is UNLESS you have a sleeping disorder and arent going into the right stages of sleep causing the exhaustion even when you think you are sleeping right).

Thou a sleeping disorder could cause many of your other issues as well, it thou wouldnt cause fast heartbeat and light sensitivity.. but CFS can cause those things.

http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/cfssymptomsHCP.htm
"A CFS diagnosis should be considered in patients who present with six months or more of unexplained fatigue accompanied by other characteristic symptoms. These symptoms include:

• cognitive dysfunction, including impaired memory or concentration
• postexertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours (exhaustion and increased symptoms) following physical or mental exercise
• unrefreshing sleep
• joint pain (without redness or swelling)
• persistent muscle pain
• headaches of a new type or severity
• tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes
• sore throat

Other Common Symptoms
In addition to the eight primary defining symptoms of CFS, a number of other symptoms have been reported by some CFS patients. The frequency of occurrence of these symptoms varies among patients. These symptoms include:

• irritable bowel, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or bloating
• chills and night sweats
• brain fog
• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• chronic cough
• visual disturbances (blurring, sensitivity to light, eye pain or dry eyes)
• allergies or sensitivities to foods, alcohol, odors, chemicals, medications or noise
• difficulty maintaining upright position (orthostatic instability, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, balance problems or fainting)
• psychological problems (depression, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, panic attacks)
• jaw pain
• weight loss or gain "

also i suggest to check out http://wwcoco.com/cfids/bernesx.html (which lists more of the symptoms and the percentage of CFS patients with them).
.................

As most doctors know very little about CFS .. studies by the CDC have shown that 90% of CFS patients remain undiagnosed!!!

Most doctors due to their lack of knowledge on it or the fact they are not up with the latest info on it.. will not diagnose it. You will have to search for a doctor who is up to date with this illness as if you do have this illness it is very important you know as it's a very serious illness.
On a lighter note thou, if you do have it.. you have it currently very mildly.. and have more chance of recovery from it than one who's had it longer.

(a good CFS support site is at www.immunesupport.com or contact your local CFS support organisations).
..