Sick and Tired

[BKNYLivin]

I'm getting really fed up of this fatigue. For those who don't know - was diagnosed about a month and a half ago(after I got pneumonia) and have been treated again since then for pneumonia(last pill was this morning). I can deal with all that and I am adjusting quite well to being positive(so mentally I'm ok), but this fatigue is really kicking my ass! I have never been so exhausted in my life and when it's really bad I can't do anything but lay there.
I don't sleep well at night without a sleeping aid(but then I never have) and often I have to take a nap during the day, but still wake up tired. It's really beginning to affect and annoy me. I'm hoping when my viral load drops, the fatigue will lessen. I planned to get back to work as normal this month(work from home), but this is getting in the way.
I have read the lessons etc on fatigue - guess I just needed to vent.
Any suggestions(supplements, anything)?

[Robert]

I know what you mean about the fatigue.  I'm like you, had pneumonia, diagnosed AIDS, and now on the meds.  It's been 3 years now and I still suffer from fatigue.  I take naps everyday.   But it has gotton better.  I remember literally falling asleep on the sidewalk in my back yard because I was just too tired to make it inside to the living room sofa much less my bed.  But it does get better. 

It will just never be like it was before.

robert

[Eldon]

Hey BKNYLivin,

You just finished your treatment with Pneumonia. Your immune system is very low right now. Your body is going to request that it gets it's rest. I understand that you are willing but you need to give your system some time to work on the rebuilding process with your immune system.

You may want to add a multi-vitamin to your current regimen along with Omega 3 fish oil. This will assist your immune system with it's reconstruction. Also, on your next visit to the Doctor, you will want to mention this to him/her as well so that other tests can be ran to check out if everything else is at it's normal levels.

Make the BEST of each Day!

[Lisa]

Hi BK,
You might not like hearing this, but there are two things I want to get across to you.
Firstly, you probably were not completely cleared of the original pneumonia, and rather than it coming back, it just made a resurgence.
Secondly, and more important, what Eldon has stated is true, but you need to understand that it is entirely possible to suffer sequelae from this pneumonia episode for as long as six months. Not to say that that is a hard and fast fact, but just so you know what you may expect.
I understand that you are frustrated, and frankly, fatigue is the bane of many of our existences, regardless of pneumonia. I had to learn how to pace my day differently, and accomplish tasks in an orchestrated manner to keep myself from getting angry.(frustrated) Take really good care of yourself, and pace your activities, until you are better able to withstand longer periods of work/attention.
Try not to be too hard on yourself. Your body will come around. You just need to adjust your activity level for awhile.
Hope this helps, and I'll keep you in my thoughts.

[BKNYLivin]

Thanks for the replies. I know I have to be patient, which is something I'm going to have to learn(but it will be a good thing). Yesterday was just one of those frustrating days(for a normally extremely active person), but I'm learning to take things slowly and day by day. I know I'll get there.
I'm off to my acupuncture session - makes me feel better, so today is already a better day.
Thanks again.

[allopathicholistic]

I'm off to my acupuncture session - makes me feel better, so today is already a better day.

PM me if you want! there are lots of little tricks to make "the most" out of your session   

[chemistry001]

Hi there BK
The only thing I can add is that I've found it really helpful to 'tune in' to what my body says and wants, Ive been on meds now for 3 months (ish) and when my body says something I listen. Take this time to become familiar with what your body needs, eat well and rest, it's taken me some time to get my head and body use to the changes in my life, but I don't think there are any quick solutions (sorry to say). All I could do was be pateint and be aware when its time to rest and when I was able to do more i did.

Wishing you much love
Paul xx

[J.R.E.]

Hello,

I can also understand the issues with fatigue. Just before starting meds 3 years ago, I could barely make the bed, without tiring out.When I look back at it, I can't imagine how I made it to work everyday back then, but I did. I guess the secret was to sleep away the remaining 16 hours away from work. (which is pretty much what I had to do.) Everything was a struggle. After the meds were started, and as the t-cell count rose and the viral load went down, things started getting a hell of a lot better.

Hopefully things will get better for you soon. Try to eat right, at a minimum, take a multiple vitamin daily, and if things don't improve, don't hesitate to bring this up with your doctor. Make sure to rest when you need it... I still have issues with fatigue, but no where near as severe as it was 3 years ago. There are certainly limitations, on what I can do, on a daily basis. But I do get things done !!



Take care----Ray

[PJC0510]

Hi!  Hang in there, I felt the same way. I was diagnosed in March 2006, and my TCells were at 130, jumped to 260 3 months later and now at 394, and I feel good.

Just take your meds as directed, and things will change...

Keep thinking good thoughts!

[Poz Brit]

My Doctor told me after I had Pneumonia that it can take a year or more to get over, that was before we knew I had HIV. I am the same, suffering Chronic Fatigue it’s just so debilitating.

John(UK)

[RapidRod]

Getting over a severe case of Pneumonia will take you way over a year to get over and gain your energy level back and that is without compounding it with HIV. Don't try to rush yourself, it will only make you feel worse.

[BKNYLivin]

Once again, thanks to everyone for responding. I'm learning to do just that - sit tight and wait 'til I'm fully recovered from the pneumonia. I'm seriously thinking about starting meds, but I'll wait for the results of my next labs in a few weeks.
Thanks guys.

[Andy Velez]

Glad to know that you're using acupuncture. I have found it to be a very helpful tool for everything from chest stuff to body pain to getting past the effects of taking a flop last week getting off of my bike. Along with everything else it's very calming.

As others have said pneumonia is very debilitating and it takes time for the body to recoup. Plus the meds for it exact a toll too even though they are helping with the problem.

Prayer, meditation, friendly support, good books to read and bad movies to watch also help.

Cheers,   

[Christine]

Hi BKNY,
Like the other posters have said, it takes a long time to get over pneumonia. Listen to your body, if it needs to sleep, or rest then respect what it is telling you. The antibiotics alone can be pretty hard on you also, causing fatigue, and belly issues.

Also, does your acupuncturist work with nutrition? There is a very interesting book: Healing with Whole Foods, by Paul Pitchford. It looks at nutrition from a TCM viewpoint.

Probiotics might help you overall. They add good bacteria back to you body which are depleted during the course of antibiotics.

Christine

[mike35960]

Don't worry,it does get better but make longterm goals and don't try to get well in a short time.It took a long time to get sick and you need to heal.Sometimes when I get down and lethargic(I also have narcolepsy).I always have to stop and remind myself that this is only temporary.Just pick up a handful of dirt,hold it to the sky and say just like Scarlett O'Hara "As god as my witness I will get over this and I will never be sick again.