Ask Me Help Desk - Very fatigued and restless

Hi, I'm 57 year old female who is going through menopause. My biggest concern is my fatigue symptom. I'm very fatigue ever day where I can't do any normal daily activities such as even cooking. Fatigue symptom started about 5 years ago with my menopause however starting a couple years ago it became very severe. I Can't even think of going to work at all. I've done several blood test and they came out all OK and no thyroid concerns either. I wake up in the morning and my eye lids are shutting down due to tiredness even though I just woke up. I have been always a light sleeper and wake up several time at night to use bathroom. Other medical conditions that I have is that I always had constipation. Because I've been struggling with constipation since I was in high school, I eat very carefully and healthy. Also, I had colon cancer about 5 years ago and had a surgery and been cancer free since. I mainly eat veggies, very little mean, no caffeine, lots of nuts, nothing spicy, and anything that is good for constipation. My stomach is very sensitive where if I eat or drink something different (such as cranberry juice), I get constipation instantly. I thought my fatigue symptom was due to menopause initially but even taking menopause medication (the one that could cause breast cancer), it is not helping. Any thoughts or ideas.. please help... I'm really desperate...

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitesnow823

Hi, I'm 57 year old female who is going thru menopause. My biggest concern is my fatigue symptom. i'm very fatigue ever day where i can't do any normal daily activities such as even cooking. Fatigue symptom started about 5 years ago with my menopause however starting a couple years ago it became very severe. i Can't even think of going to work at all. I've done several blood test and they came out all ok and no thyroid concerns either. i wake up in the morning and my eye lids are shutting down due to tiredness even tho i just woke up. i have been always a light sleeper and wake up several time at nite to use bathroom. Other medical conditions that i have is that i always had constipation. Because i've been struggling with constipation since i was in high school, i eat very carefully and healthy. also, i had colon cancer about 5 years ago and had a surgery and been cancer free since. i mainly eat veggies, very little mean, no caffeine, lots of nuts, nothing spicy, and anything that is good for constipation. my stomach is very sensitive where if i eat or drink something different (such as cranberry juice), i get constipation instantly. I thought my fatigue symtom was due to menopause initially but even taking menopause medication (the one that could cause breast cancer), it is not helping. any thoughts or ideas...? please help..... i'm really desperate.......

Have the Doctors rules out Lupus, Fibromyalgia, things like that?

I have a friend who had similar symptoms and talked to her Pharmacist who recommended soy supplements. She said they made a difference, but that's not first hand knowledge.

Congratulations on being cancer free for 5 years - my niece is in her ninth year following colon cancer. Good for you!

What else has been ruled out?

I have considered Lupus and Fibromyalgia but my symptoms aren't exactly like that... Recently, I started to take maca powder and I think that helps a little if your friend hasn't try it yet. Oh, also kale is supposed to be really good for preventing cancer.

My Dr. is thinking that I might need to stop taking menopause medicine and maybe try anti-depression medication... I guess I'm willing to try anything.

Thanks for your comments, JudyKayTee! I really appreciate it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitesnow823

i have considered Lupus and Fibromyalgia but my symptoms aren't exactly like that... Recently, i started to take maca powder and i think that helps a little if your friend hasn't try it yet. oh, also kale is supposed to be really good for preventing cancer.

My Dr. is thinking that i might need to stop taking menopause medicine and maybe try anti-depression medication.... i guess i'm willing to try anything.

Thanks for your comments, JudyKayTee! i really appreciate it.

This just sort of fell into place but my best friend called me last night. Her B12 is extremely low, so low that she needs injections AND some sort of inhaled B12. Her fatigue has been overwhelming.

Has your B12 level been checked? I believe it's not "terribly" uncommon.