CFS

[sunshinestarr]

Anyone know what an underlying cause of chronic fatigue syndrome could be?

Sorry this is so general, but I don't know what else to say, lol!

[TanyaL]

I think there can be multiple causes, and for some people probably a couple of them combined. I've heard of chronic Epstein-Barr virus infections causing nasty lingering fatigue, same thing with chronic lyme infection, and I know for some people it's a heavy metals issue, mostly mercury I think, and usually that from amalgam fillings, but I know there are other routes of exposure beyond amalgams. Those are the first that come to mind for me, I'm sure there are others though.

[sunshinestarr]

Doh! I was hoping someone would say something like.. Take more vitamin C or something easy. This stuff is all so complicated!! I'm asking for my dh, and he's also got adrenal issues (I think I might, as well) but that's just a whole, big complex world that I can't understand..

But thanks! I'm grateful for the response and the info. :)

[TanyaL]

Simple things that are often out-of-whack when we have nasty fatigue are B12, I supp 2000 mcg sublingual per day, vitamin D is often low and may need high doses (10,000 IU or higher) to normalize, and vitamin C to bowel tolerance helps reduce oxidative stress and spares glutathione which is helpful for heavy metals. None of those would be a solution by itself, but most of them are likely off in someone with nasty, debilitating fatigue. Adrenal fatigue is likely with all of them, and really with anything that stresses the body that much to cause such serious symptoms.

You can understand anything! Admittedly it's a lot harder with little kids (I have 2 kids, ages 3yo and 5yo, but I was pregnant with my 2nd when my health tanked, so it's been hard to learn and still do the basics of daily life), but anything is possible.

And make sure to take care of yourself, eh? My husband's health significantly worsened with the stress of my health going downhill, and at this point his adrenals are really in bad shape, and I'd say he's the one in worse shape now (I'm on the upswing, he's not yet improving).

[sunshinestarr]

Thanks so much!!! Somehow I didn't see this reply..? I definitely want to feed the dh some b vitamins.

thanks for the advice to take care of myself. I'm so concerned with the kidsand the dh that I just sit in the corner, munching on chocolate bars!! /rolleyes it's terrible. I'm glad you're on the upswing!

the adrenal thread at mdc is just horrifying to me. we can't really get to the doctor and get all these tests and stuff done, yk?

[Shannon]

You might find this guy's theories interesting:
http://www.ei-resource.org/articles/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-articl...

[sunshinestarr]

Rockin', thanks! Off to check it out.

[Sarah Thompson]

I have also heard about certain enzyme deficiencies, carnetine maybe (?), that can be related to fatigue.

[sunshinestarr]

This is great info, thanks. I really wanna nip this thing in the bud.

[TanyaL]

For adrenals, you can either assume that's one of the problems, based on symptoms (my HCP and I did this for me) or you can order a test--not sure how it would work for you, in the US you can order online from Canary Club, maybe they ship everywhere? Seems like shipping is an issue, for the samples. But you don't need a doctor for it, and honestly, if the symptoms fit, I'd just assume it and start treating. I'm not sure treating just for adrenal fatigue without also figuring out the underlying problem is anything more than a band-aid, but that's a start, and then you keep working on the underlying issue.

sunshinestarr said:

Thanks so much!!! Somehow I didn't see this reply..? I definitely want to feed the dh some b vitamins.

thanks for the advice to take care of myself. I'm so concerned with the kidsand the dh that I just sit in the corner, munching on chocolate bars!! /rolleyes it's terrible. I'm glad you're on the upswing!

the adrenal thread at mdc is just horrifying to me. we can't really get to the doctor and get all these tests and stuff done, yk?

[sunshinestarr]

Do you think that adrenal fatigue could be an (or the) underlying issue? I always kinda thought that's how it worked.

[Pat Robinson]

This is an amazing article!! Must go read Dr. Amy.


Pat

Shannon said:

You might find this guy's theories interesting:
http://www.ei-resource.org/articles/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-articl...

[TanyaL]

Can you get a copy of Digestive Wellness by Lipski? I thought it was just about digestion, but it's actually a pretty good overview of a lot of chronic health problems, and from a more thorough viewpoint than just what to do to improve digestion directly. And it's got a fairly decent section on CFS. Has suggestions for things to do on your own, strongly recommends a good healthcare provider, one who listens and who can really partner to figure out what's going on, but still has recommendations even if that's not a possibility right now. Her book mentions heavy metals in passing but doesn't discuss them in any depth, but there are other resources if that seems like a possibility, and so overall I'm quite impressed.