Fatigue and depression

Hi all, I'm new here, I can tell my whole long sad story sometime but right now I was just curious about people's experience with fatigue... I know depression can cause fatigue of course, but this seems like more.

It started after my first child was born 5 years ago... just constant fatigue everyday... naturally at first I thought it was just adjusting to motherhood, but even when she started sleeping through the night and I was getting 8 hours every night, I still woke up exhausted.

Since then I've explored about every option, tons of blood work, including thyroid, vitamin D, B, iron, all the common causes... all normal. I've seen doctors, naturopaths, everyone... I even found out I had mild sleep apnea, but the cpap, despite "working", didn't help the fatigue.

It's the heart of all my problems... I'm just too tired to do anything, and I have to take care of my 5 and 2 year old every morning, it's more than I can take, all I want to do is sleep

Has anyone had such crippling fatigue? Find out anything about it? Could it really just be the depression? Or any ideas on what else I can try?? So tired of being so tired

Are you on any medication ? That is the culprit a lot of the time. If not depression can cause debilitating fatigue. I'm sorry you are having it so bad.

Hello Climber47: I'm afraid I don't really have much of anything to offer with regard to this. (I have waged a decades long struggle with fatigue. But in my case it is simply the result of chronic depression & anxiety.) However since this is your first post here on PC... welcome to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! May the time you spend here be of benefit.

By the way, are you familiar with PsychCentral's sister website: "NeuroTalk"? If not, you might take a look at the boards over there. It's possible there may be some folks there who would have some suggestions that would be of value:

http://www.neurotalk.org/

My chronic fatigue started with the chronic depression. Thankfully (20yrs later) it's a bit better.

Thanks for the responses I'm not on much at the moment, adderall for ADHD and a small dose of abilify, but it doesn't do anything anymore... I only still take it because I tried going off it and horrible withdrawals so I caved and took it again.

My basic story is I've been dealing with depression for over 10 years now, the last few years it's been pretty severe. Tried something like 17 different meds, nothing has had the slightest effect. Been through many therapists but that's never helped either.

I think my depression is maybe 50/50 "chemical" and situational, if that's much of a relevant distinction anymore... I'm married with two small kids, 5 and 2, and stay home with them in the mornings, then I work in a restaurant in the evenings. I guess it's just too much for me, being a mom, because that's my biggest source of misery. Thanks to the fatigue and depression I do nothing all day... let the kids watch as much tv as they want, I fulfill their basic needs but the house is a disaster, it's too much for my husband to manage, even though he ends up doing everything. All I do is sit on the couch and cry, which I hate exposing my kids to but I can't stop... I love them more than anything but I can't stand playing stuff with them, and I'm tired, so damn tired... and I have all the guilt for being a total failure as a wife and mom, it just piles on.

I don't know what to do anymore, it hurts so much... I'm barely functional at home, and while I can usually pull it together at work, that's getting hard too and I NEED to work, so I'm getting scared, it just seems to keep getting worse

Yes depression can easily destroy your life. For many of us it is a big challenge to take a shower or to prepare something to eat.

You could also check your thyroid if you didn't already.

I think that if you realize that it would end badly, you should simply surrender something before the breakdown.

I just wanted to say YES fatigue is a MAJOR problem for me also. It strated when my depression hit me.....ugh.

Hi there:
I have horrible fatigue and chronic major depression, despite psych meds. I understand how you feel. I stay in my bed nearly every day. All I want to do is sleep and disappear. If it helps, you are not alone. I don't know what will help either of us. Tomorrow is a new day, though.

I have fibromyslgia but have contended with depression for over 30 years. Always fatigued before but with the fibro its worse. I do find that forcing just 15 min of the activity of showering or making coffee or whatever and sitting in the sun and or just weight lifting movement can really help. The trick is getting it stsrted. Dont plan on doing anything else except going back to bed. Set a timer for 25 or 20 min. Just move even get a little chore or two done even if there is 100 that need attention. Pick movement for 25 min even if its just a shower and you might be surprised how often you'll want to go past the 20 min timer and or how much more energy and lack of motivation disappears. Even if it doesn't it builds on its own but you have to commit to that 15 min to you, no one else just you. If you just go back to bed its OK, you completed that one and maybe tomorrow will be the day you get an extra surge but you will get it and it'll help you identify what really helps YOU!!

I only take benzos
As I am unable to tolerate other "medication"

Yes! I would talk with my doctor about Provigil. It's the least addicting of all stimulants. Can be used as an add on to basically any antidepressant.

I have debilitating fatigue also. All of my chemical/physical markers are normal, so the blame goes to depression for me. You are not alone! My heart goes out to you. I hope you can find some lifting energy and help. A support group? A nanny or day care to relieve you a bit?

I have the same thing, "mild" sleep apnea. It has devastated me. No job, impending homelessness. I use a cpap, and I am "treated;" but still I'm exhausted everyday.

I pine for death. This is a miserable existence. I hope that I can find the courage to do it. I belong to several suicide forums, but they are basically for the young and healthy who are upset over school, bullying, social life, etc. People in their 40s and up who have problems with chronic health conditions won't find any help at such places; that goes for those "hotlines" as well.

👋 Hi, Just joined the forums today for help/advice re: crushing fatigue. Taking Prozac 40mg each morning. The fatigue feels all-consuming. Am less depressed but exhausted and gaining weight.

How long did u use the cpap? It took me over a year to feel better. Making up for the sleep debt accrued takes time.

Thanks for posting your experience. I am in a situation similar to yours. I am the mother of five year old twins and I am constantly tired. My husband does most of the housework and I have a hard time engaging with the girls at times. I feel like a bad mother. I take a stimulant but right now I'm so tired it isn't even working and I have been abusing it. Wellbutrin can be a little stimulating. Provigal is less addictive but might not be covered for depression. All I want to do is isolate and hide. In the past I have tried to make mini goals, like picking up 20 items in the house or washing just five dishes. Sometimes that will get me going a little and I feel a small sense of accomplishment. Right now I've not even been motivated enough to do that. I wish you well. I still have hope that one day I may break out of this depression.

Making small realistic goals

is good because sometimes that's all we can do for that day and that's okay! Give yourself a pat on the back, and feel good about your accomplishments! Give yourself permission to just be, and not to put unreasonable demands on yourself. Keep up the good work. Sending hugs

I know I am kinda late to the party but oh well. I deal with debilitating fatigue but I also have narcolepsy and a rare neuromuscular disorder that contribute. Have you tried Welbutrin? Because that is a stimulant as well as anti depressant that helps me a bit. I know of one other med but I know insurance will only pay for it if you have narcolepsy or something similar.