Alternative medicine approaches for dealing with fatigue?

Question

hi in 2003 I had pancreatitis and from 2003-2005 I had 7 hospitalizations for pancreatitis. in 2004 my adrenals shut down and they put me on steroid replacement. In June 2006 - at the time of my wife's death I had my last attack of pancreatitis and by May 2007 my adrenals started working and by October 2007 I was off the steroids, and by December 2007 I was off the narcotic pain meds because I had been dealing with severe pain all this time. By March 2008 I had my first adrenal test that tested normal. In October I weighed 306 pounds being on the steroids. and now I weigh 255 pounds. But I'm still dealing with fatigue. I have been working with my doctor and they have kept increasing my vitamin d, etc. but I'm not sure what else to tell them and what I should look for or what information I should keep to give them.

any ideas on what I need to look for? what can cause fatigue? what do I need to be aware of? what nutritional things can cause fatigue? I follow a vegan diet

Answer 1

Try looking into acupuncture.

Lack of iron can cause fatigue.

Answer 2

get them to check your not diabetic and your thyroid....my hubby slept all day n night and weight changed and it was his thyroid

Answer 3

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Life Extension Foundation Recommendations

For Immune Enhancement and General Nutrient Support:

Life Extension Mix (multinutrient formula)—as directed on label

Life Extension Herbal Mix with Stevia—as directed on label

Glutathione—250 to 500 mg daily

N-acetyl cysteine—600 mg daily

R-dihydro lipoic acid—300 mg daily

Folic acid—800 mcg daily

For Energy Enhancement:

CoQ10—100 mg three times daily

Magnesium—250 mg daily

DHEA—A starting dose of 15 to 75 mg is reasonable. Blood testing to ensure optimal levels should be performed

NADH—5 mg twice daily

GLA—285 mg daily

Intestinal-Tract Support:

Glutamine—1 g or more daily

Link to entire protocol below.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

I suffer from an illness that forces me to live with severe fatigue. I live my life constantly budgeting  my energy so I have enough left to enjoy each day with.

A lot of health problems (arthritis being one) cause fatigue issues. These occur because your body is busy using it's resources to try to make you well. Often there isn't a lot of energy left over for you.

Proper diet and nutrition are very important. Try to insure that you ingest B vitamins, protein and calcium on a daily basis. Some people have difficulty storing these within their bodies so they have no reserves and must consume them on a daily basis in order to meet their nutritional needs. A vitamin program could be very important!

Here are some tips that I use to combat the fatigue issues:

Budget your energy like other people budget money or time.

First: do the things that you must absolutely do that day. Second: do the things that you want to do ( This is logical because there is no reason to live if one does not have enjoyment).

Third: If you have left over energy do the things that you should do but that really don't matter too much if they don't.

Take a 20 minute total rest break during the day. You do not have to sleep but just lay down and totally rest your body for 20 minutes. It totally rejuvenates you and gives you the energy to get through the rest of the day.

Live life in bits and pieces, or a little or this and a little of that, but never too much of any one thing at any one time. Do tasks like dishes where you stand, then tasks or activities where you sit (ie: visiting yahoo haha) then go outside for a walk, come in and take your 20 minute total rest. Back up to fix supper, cut the grass or whatever else it is that you need to do! Alternate periods of rest with periods of exercise. Always determine the activities that you will do by the amount of energy you have that day. Adjust it to your changing needs.

Participate in an exercise program and adapt it to your changing needs. If you feel better than do more. When you are less well then do less.

Force your brain to produce more endorphins. Smile, laugh or dance around your living room half naked. All those activities will cause your brain to release endorphins and they will make you feel better. You will use your own body to help heal you.

Below is the link to my site on how I cope with my illness, it may give you a few more tips. Good luck

Answer 5

I feel strongly that you and your doctor (M.D.) should include the services of a Registered dietitian, (an R.D.).  Insurance carriers do cover their services when they are included in a treatment program such as yours.

God Bless you and keep you well.

Answer 6

Please contact me. I am a Wellness Consultant and it would be best to talk over phone. Hope to hear from you. Go to my web-site and fill out more info and I will call you back. There is hope. Just keep your faith

www.livetotalwellness.com/donel