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Suggest Treatment For Fatigue And Loss Of Concentration
Question: Doctor,
I am 37 years old male and vegetarian (no eggs).
Since last one year I have concentration and focus issues and fatigue. Many a times I wake up not-so-fresh and do not get good deep sleep. This problem started suddenly one day about 1 year back and also resulted in some panic attacks. It was diagnosed that I have severe B12 and D deficiency and treatment for the same was started. Now after a year my B12 and Vitamin D levels are good (sufficient) but the focus and concentration problem stays as it is along with fatigue and heavy eyes. EEG report also did not find anything. For a month, I also consulted with a psychiatrist and was prescribed Zolfresh, Tynept OD and Nexito. I continued for a month with not so evident results.
Meanwhile, my focus problems comeback every week or two weeks where some time I can see the things in front of my eye but it takes time to understand what this thing is or I can see the words but the words take time to register.
Please also note that I have pain in my temple region in the head when I am the most affected.
Needless to say, this is affecting my whole life. Please suggest what is this mysterious illness.
I am 37 years old male and vegetarian (no eggs).
Since last one year I have concentration and focus issues and fatigue. Many a times I wake up not-so-fresh and do not get good deep sleep. This problem started suddenly one day about 1 year back and also resulted in some panic attacks. It was diagnosed that I have severe B12 and D deficiency and treatment for the same was started. Now after a year my B12 and Vitamin D levels are good (sufficient) but the focus and concentration problem stays as it is along with fatigue and heavy eyes. EEG report also did not find anything. For a month, I also consulted with a psychiatrist and was prescribed Zolfresh, Tynept OD and Nexito. I continued for a month with not so evident results.
Meanwhile, my focus problems comeback every week or two weeks where some time I can see the things in front of my eye but it takes time to understand what this thing is or I can see the words but the words take time to register.
Please also note that I have pain in my temple region in the head when I am the most affected.
Needless to say, this is affecting my whole life. Please suggest what is this mysterious illness.
Brief Answer:
Most likely these symptoms are occurring due to depression.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. Vitamin B12 deficiency is found in most of the vegans and low vitamin B12 levels are known to result in lack of focus, decreased energy, fatiguability, tiredness etc symptoms. You have taken B12 and Vitamin D supplements and still the symptoms are persisting. Such symptoms can occur due to a number of reasons both medical and psychiatric. B12 deficiency has been ruled out. Other possibility is chronic anaemia. Get your haemoglobin checked to rule out this conditions. Other medical cause for such symptoms could be hypothyroidism. Low thyroid levels might result in similar symptoms. Get your thyroid hormone levels checked to rule out this condition.
Once these causes are ruled out then the possible cause for your symptoms is mild to moderate depression. It is common in depression to present with symptoms like lack of focus, tiredness, fatiguability, poor concentration, non refreshing sleep, poor sleep etc. You have consulted a psychiatrist and has been advised to take Zolfresh (Zolpidem), Tyneptine and Escitalopram. Out of these drugs Zolfresh helps in sleep. Tynetpine and Escitalopram both are anti depressant drugs. But the drugs take time to show their full effects. In most cases 4-6 weeks are needed to see improvement in symptoms. You also have headache in temple region which is also a symptom of mild depression. CTTH or chronic tension type headache is common in mild depression.
So continue to take your medicines and don't remain worried your symptoms will reduce. These symptoms are occurring most likely due to depression and with treatment symptoms will reduce. Medicines like Modafinil, Armodafinil can be used. These medicines help to improve focus, concentration, fatigue etc. You can consult your psychiatrist for evaluation and prescription of these drugs.
Thanks, Hope this helps. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more clarifications.
Take care
Most likely these symptoms are occurring due to depression.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. Vitamin B12 deficiency is found in most of the vegans and low vitamin B12 levels are known to result in lack of focus, decreased energy, fatiguability, tiredness etc symptoms. You have taken B12 and Vitamin D supplements and still the symptoms are persisting. Such symptoms can occur due to a number of reasons both medical and psychiatric. B12 deficiency has been ruled out. Other possibility is chronic anaemia. Get your haemoglobin checked to rule out this conditions. Other medical cause for such symptoms could be hypothyroidism. Low thyroid levels might result in similar symptoms. Get your thyroid hormone levels checked to rule out this condition.
Once these causes are ruled out then the possible cause for your symptoms is mild to moderate depression. It is common in depression to present with symptoms like lack of focus, tiredness, fatiguability, poor concentration, non refreshing sleep, poor sleep etc. You have consulted a psychiatrist and has been advised to take Zolfresh (Zolpidem), Tyneptine and Escitalopram. Out of these drugs Zolfresh helps in sleep. Tynetpine and Escitalopram both are anti depressant drugs. But the drugs take time to show their full effects. In most cases 4-6 weeks are needed to see improvement in symptoms. You also have headache in temple region which is also a symptom of mild depression. CTTH or chronic tension type headache is common in mild depression.
So continue to take your medicines and don't remain worried your symptoms will reduce. These symptoms are occurring most likely due to depression and with treatment symptoms will reduce. Medicines like Modafinil, Armodafinil can be used. These medicines help to improve focus, concentration, fatigue etc. You can consult your psychiatrist for evaluation and prescription of these drugs.
Thanks, Hope this helps. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more clarifications.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Thanks for your response doctor. Your detailed explanation helps.
Meanwhile, I had been recently told for an MRI and my reports have come. I am uploading the same, kindly check if it has any bearing on my condition.
Meanwhile, my heamoglobin has been hovering around 14 - 16 and a recent thyroid test also did not produce any thing abnormal
Meanwhile, I had been recently told for an MRI and my reports have come. I am uploading the same, kindly check if it has any bearing on my condition.
Meanwhile, my heamoglobin has been hovering around 14 - 16 and a recent thyroid test also did not produce any thing abnormal
Brief Answer:
The report is normal. NO NEED TO WORRY.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up question
I have read the MRI report and it has been clearly mentioned that no significant pathology has been found in MR scan. Areas of hyper densities could occur in normal individuals also. Even minor ischaemic changes might result in such changes. Small areas of scarring in brain also present with similar manner. No need to worry for that report. The report is absolutely normal.
As your haemoglobin and thyroid profile is normal so no need to worry for any medicinal cause. B12 and other parameters related to calcium metabolism are also normal.
Continue to take your medicines and don't remain worried. The symptoms will reduce in some time.
Thanks, Hope this helps. Still have more doubts please ask again.
Take care
The report is normal. NO NEED TO WORRY.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up question
I have read the MRI report and it has been clearly mentioned that no significant pathology has been found in MR scan. Areas of hyper densities could occur in normal individuals also. Even minor ischaemic changes might result in such changes. Small areas of scarring in brain also present with similar manner. No need to worry for that report. The report is absolutely normal.
As your haemoglobin and thyroid profile is normal so no need to worry for any medicinal cause. B12 and other parameters related to calcium metabolism are also normal.
Continue to take your medicines and don't remain worried. The symptoms will reduce in some time.
Thanks, Hope this helps. Still have more doubts please ask again.
Take care
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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