HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Extreme Fatigue?

default
Posted on Thu, 18 May 2017
Question: My daughter is 18 1/2. For the past year or two she has been extremely fatigued but was able to function normally. Her immune system seems to be compromised. She is frequently fatigued even after having had a full night's sleep. She had some blood tests run last year and they all came out normal. The doctor chalked it up to normal teen fatigue especially considering her full schedule at the time: 3 AP classes, sports, a job but I had a nagging suspicion it was not normal. Now she is in college and gets sick more frequently (every couple weeks) the following are symptoms she has frequently albeit not all at once: nausea, headaches, sore/achy shoulders, faint, persistent cough (last year), extreme Fatigue, sore throat, congestion, heart palpitations. she usually lets it run its course but now she is feeling ill more often than not. She has only taken antibiotics once or twice when she was a toddler for ear infection. When she was a toddler my husband spotted a tick halfway embedded on her stomach he went though the proper method to remove it intact. We live in a redwood forest. She had a case of mono when she was 10 and had acid reflux when she was about 8 but outgrew it; she did not take medication for that. she takes vitamins (although i am not sure if she's consistent) and has a well balanced diet. Her paternal aunt was diagnosed with schleraderma and now has PH because of it, 20 years ago she was misdiagnosed with lupus but now they know it is scleroderma. Please, if there is any light you can shed or if you could direct us to other tests we should be asking the doctor to run. I am very worried about her health and it is hampering her studies.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Please see the detailed answer below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello! I have been through your question.

Related your daughter concern and based on her history I think that first you should meet an ID specialist to exclude an chronic Lyme disease. Some call Lyme disease "the great imitator" because its symptoms tend to mimic many other problems like fatigue, arthritis, heart problems, headache ect.
As well an endocrinologist to exclude a thyroid problem.
Furthermore if you exclude these above mentioned pathology and based on her familial history (sclerodermia) I suggest as well to meet a rheumatologist to do some tests (ANA, anticentromere, or antitopoisomerase) and to make a differential diagnosis.

I hope my answer helps you
I wish your daughter a good health.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (44 hours later)
I am not sure if my follow up question went through. I just thanked you for your response. It was very helpful. I would like to know if she does test positive for Lyme disease what are the treatment options besides antibiotics as she is, I believe at the chronic stage. Is it curable or will she have this for the rest of her life?

Sincerely,
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Monika Dede (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
These symptoms can last for more than 6 months.

Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thank you writing back in healthcare magic.

Related your question you should know that it is not uncommon for patients treated for Lyme disease with a recommended 2 to 4 week course of antibiotics to have lingering symptoms of fatigue, pain, or joint and muscle aches at the time they finish treatment. In a small percentage of cases, these symptoms can last for more than 6 months.
If your daughter have been treated for Lyme disease and still feel unwell, see your doctor to discuss how to relieve the suffering and to treat in ways similar to patients who have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.

You should know as well that chronic Lyme disease, is properly known as Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).

The exact cause of PTLDS is not yet known. Most medical experts believe that the lingering symptoms are the result of residual damage to tissues and the immune system that occurred during the infection.
The good news is that patients with PTLDS almost always get better with time and the bad news is that it can take months to feel completely well.

I hope my answer helps you.
I wish your daughter a quick recovery.
Regards.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Monika Dede

Infectious Diseases Specialist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1005 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Extreme Fatigue?

Brief Answer: Please see the detailed answer below. Detailed Answer: Hello! I have been through your question. Related your daughter concern and based on her history I think that first you should meet an ID specialist to exclude an chronic Lyme disease. Some call Lyme disease "the great imitator" because its symptoms tend to mimic many other problems like fatigue, arthritis, heart problems, headache ect. As well an endocrinologist to exclude a thyroid problem. Furthermore if you exclude these above mentioned pathology and based on her familial history (sclerodermia) I suggest as well to meet a rheumatologist to do some tests (ANA, anticentromere, or antitopoisomerase) and to make a differential diagnosis. I hope my answer helps you I wish your daughter a good health. Regards.