I have been complaining of exhaustion for the last 3 or so weeks, I mean, theres tiredness, theres fatigue and then theres exhaustion, and this yeah THIS is bloody exhaustion.
I finally have worked out when I am exhausted as opposed to fatigued, I told my GP on the last 2 occasions when I was like this and on both occasions my bloods were done and yep, iron levels are running on empty again!!!!! She also checked ferritin stores and at 41 said they were extremely low for me and that the 41 was probably elevated falsely anyway due to my pred so it is in fact even lower than that! So back to have another iron infusion due to being unable to absorb iron through my tummy with food or tabs etc (drug damage). The previous infusion benefits lasted 2 years, this one 6 months!!!! I wonder why? I guess its the inflammation using all the red cell stores???
Anyway, I told my GP that I have been feeling very low, depressed actually and could I change my anti-depressant. She reminded me that I had 3 very hard weeks a little while ago looking after my sick son in hospital, away from home and that I am still not over it, at least another week of rest!!!! So I told her I wanted to cancel my spinal injections due this Monday, but she said no, I have to have them done as the pain levels are bad and this may help the fatigue indirectly by lessening the pain hopefully. So I shall do as I am told....
On top of all this you know how when you find it hard to get to sleep, you toss and turn and toss and turn eventually drifting off, well get this, I did not drift off last night, thats right I was awake all night, no sleep whatsoever and have not slept today, just don't know why, don't usually have a problem!!!! I meant to ask my GP if I could take a Temaze tonight (I worry as I am on so many sleepy style tabs, and she worries too), so as I can't get hold of her I shall jst have to hope it doesn't happen again tonight. Thanks for listening. Also my cardiac health physio came over today and I have to start hydrotherapy, supervised for 6 weeks to get my heart rate up. I have to go on a cardiac style eating plan and no walking as feet are too bad, so pool work only. She is going to ask the local Home Assist people if they can fund putting new steps into my pool as I find it too hard to get in and out, heres hoping. I am very lucky I know, thanks again guys. Hugs Janie.
Edited to add that I just spoke to my GP at her home, (she kindly gave me her number) and I can have a temaze tonight. Thank God. She also said that since putting up my oxycontim from 40mg a day to 80mg a day, I seem to have had sleep problems sometimes apparently some people can't sleep when this dose is required so I may have to reduce it, lets hope the spinal injections work then hopefully I can reduce it.
I add my hopes to those of your doctors and to yours that your next set of injections provides what words cannot.
All my best wishes, Shug
HI Janie
I hope you can get some sleep tonight. Low iron can make someone feel SO terrible, I hope you can get it up and feel better!
Thanks cheesehead and shug, just knowing why I feel this bad helps. regards Janie.
I did not know that pred could disguise levels of ferritin. Always learn something new on this forum. Sorry you are having such a rough go of everthing. it seems you are in good hands. Knowing probably helps alot. Janie. some people actually get a hyper affect from oxycodone and hydrocodone. Make sure that this is not what is happening to you. Try to take notice if you seem more awake after your doses. It may be harder to tell with the time released meds. You may ask to switch to a more sedating med for your night time pain relief like morphine or dilaudid. good luck.Thanks Lorster, thats a great idea, I am wondering more though if its the Endone, I usually have to take them 4 x a day 10mg, they tend to wake me up a bit, so I shall watch out for that. Thanks Lorster, from Janie.