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What Causes Extreme Tiredness During Menstruation?
Question: For at least 1 year I've felt very fatigued. At times I will have 2-3 day periods were I am so tired I have to take several naps to make it through the day despite a normal nights sleep and feel sore all over-joints and muscles. It has gotten worse over the past 2 months. This past Saturday I was in bed all day. I've been to 3 doctors, all my Bloodwork is normal with the exception of a high b12 but they are not worried about it. I had am EMG-normal and an echocardiogram- normal. Can you please offer your perspective, what can I do to feel or energetic? I can't keep taking naps all day- i'm going to lose my job.
Brief Answer:
It could be premenstrual syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for using healthcare magic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
Although it is difficult for me to spell out the exact reason for extreme tiredness during menstrual period but the first possibility is premenstrual syndrome. Almost 85% of women experience some symptoms of perimenstrual syndrome and out of them almost 20 % have symptoms severe enough to warrant clinical attention.
Since fibromyalgia is ruled out we need to look for depression as second possibility. This is again one of the common problem with young and middle aged women and a trial of antidepressant can bet offered if nothing works.
Regarding alleviation of your tiredness I will request only one thing apart from antidepressants and which is enough exercise. Contrary to popular belief exercise helps in depression tiredness and you will realise importance of it.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.
It could be premenstrual syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for using healthcare magic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
Although it is difficult for me to spell out the exact reason for extreme tiredness during menstrual period but the first possibility is premenstrual syndrome. Almost 85% of women experience some symptoms of perimenstrual syndrome and out of them almost 20 % have symptoms severe enough to warrant clinical attention.
Since fibromyalgia is ruled out we need to look for depression as second possibility. This is again one of the common problem with young and middle aged women and a trial of antidepressant can bet offered if nothing works.
Regarding alleviation of your tiredness I will request only one thing apart from antidepressants and which is enough exercise. Contrary to popular belief exercise helps in depression tiredness and you will realise importance of it.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you for your response, however the extreme tiredness is not related to my menstrual cycle. It is all the time! When I said the severest a cruise in 2 to 3 day period, I was just referring to a timeframe. Although I do admit my menstrual cycle makes it worse, I never get a relief from this and it has gotten much worse over the past few months
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up and adding few more details.
However I keep my stand about antidepressants as prolonged nature of illness (one year) and worsening during menstrual cycle makes me more hopeful with use of antidepressants. Although your doctor may decide some other antidepressant I feel cymbalta will make the perfect choice.
I hope this assists you further.
If you have more questions I will be glad to assist you further.
If you do not have more questions, please close the discussion and if possible rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up and adding few more details.
However I keep my stand about antidepressants as prolonged nature of illness (one year) and worsening during menstrual cycle makes me more hopeful with use of antidepressants. Although your doctor may decide some other antidepressant I feel cymbalta will make the perfect choice.
I hope this assists you further.
If you have more questions I will be glad to assist you further.
If you do not have more questions, please close the discussion and if possible rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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