[HeadStrong]

I know this has been discussed before, but I can't find the thread. I am suffering exstreme fatigue lately, and need some new ways to deal with it!

In January I went to my general practioner for fatigue, she did a bloodwork and results should low on B-12, vitamon D and inflamation.

Went back on B12 shots, and just this week was told to increase shots. Currently in exercise program in Vestibular/physical therapy and walking with hubby at home.

I am not overweight (although I should be with over 6 months of being sedentary). I know the lack of restful sleep and Beta-blocker I'm on for Migraines is a big factor.....but those are things that can't seem to be controlled right now.

Any ideas on ways to cope better with this fatigue? Thanks in advance :-)

[EsthersDoll]

I recently purchased a book called "Brainlash". It was written by a PHD who had to recover from a mTBI.

I just read yesterday that she felt that vision therapy helped eradicate a lot of fatigue she was experiencing as a result of the concussion she had sustained.

I have been experiencing a great deal of fatigue myself and I've also been trying to figure out a way to overcome it. So far, when I've attempted exercise, I've experienced setbacks. I'm working 20 hours a week and my job is physically demanding - I'm on medical limitations right now, but I want to do more than I'm able to - at work and at home.

I plan on scheduling vision therapy for myself as soon as I'm done with the Bowen Technique sessions.

[Klaus]

I tend to see fatigue as my brain telling me that I'm asking too much of it, and that I need to slow down if it's going to heal.

So I would say I improved my fatigue by going with it as much as I could and resting whenever I was tired, which was most of the time, for months (yes I know it's frustrating and boring and depressing!).

I'm functioning pretty normally now but still notice that I need a bit more rest than other people. I would say that like so many other of our symptoms which we love to hate, the fatigue is really your brain trying to help you help yourself, by making appropriate demands of it so that it can get itself better.

Trying to fight these symptoms is essentially trying to fight your own brain and its defence mechanisms, which will ultimately make your problems last longer as the healing process is delayed. When your brain is ready for it your fatigue will lessen.

[Klaus]

Try and work out a decent grading plan - so you do the things most important to you or most difficult first, before you get fatigued.

Remember to leave some energy for things you enjoy as well

[EsthersDoll]

Klaus! I'm so happy to read that you're basically functioning so close to normal now! I hope the fatigue you experience goes away in time too!!

[HeadStrong]

Thanks EsthersDoll and Klaus! The Brainlash book sounds like a good reference EsterDoll....I haven't heard about vision therapy yet, but worth checking into.

Klaus, I hear what your saying about prioritizing during the day. I have really been trying to do that (one of the reasons I'm not on here everyday) but my type A personality seems to be getting the best of me. I'll try harder.

Thanks again

[Klaus]

Originally Posted by EsthersDoll

Klaus! I'm so happy to read that you're basically functioning so close to normal now!

Thanks - me too

Despite what health professionals sometimes suggest in an attempt to make us feel better, I don't think one needs to have been a particularly high achiever to be dissatisfied with the energy levels you have following a brain injury - everyone should be really, unless you were incredibly lazy before your injury!

But trying to 'beat' the fatigue is like trying to beat the pain from a broken leg - it's there for a reason (I know the OP wasn't talking about 'beating' fatigue, rather dealing/coping with it, I'm just making a general point).

[Eowyn]

Are you taking vitamin D supplements? Dr. Nedley found that I was low on Vitamin D and gave me a 50,000 IU megadose to kickstart me, and now I take 4000 IU every day.

Are you taking anything or doing anything for the inflammation?

Are you sufficiently hydrated? Even mild dehydration can cause fatigue and brain fog. As a general rule of thumb, you should drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day, plus an additional 8 ounces for every hour of exercise. For example, a 100 lb. person should drink 50 oz. of water per day, and 58 oz. if they exercise for an hour.

How is your sleep/wake schedule? You might consider some light therapy to help get your circadian rhythm regulated.

All that said, sleep disturbances and fatigue are still the last thing I'm struggling with. I just do my best to stay awake during the day and sleep at night. Some days I make it, some days I crash at 4 PM.

[camyam73]

I have a semi related question... I'm on nortriptylene, and now that the dose has gone from 10 mg to 25, I'm finding that I am VERY tired... will this pass? Should I sleep, or should I try to make myself push through it?

[Eowyn]

Yeah, when I was on amitriptyline, I couldn't stay awake for the first few days. It did get better gradually over time as I got more used to it. I don't see any great advantage to trying to stay awake through it.