Longstanding brain fog, fatigue, muscle weakness

The Sex Fist

New member
I'm a 30 year old male. My problems with poor concentration and memory started at an early age and have continued to worsen over time. When I was about 18 I noticed that I had problems with fatigue, which was gradually getting worse. I was a physically active person, but after starting some cardio at the gym and a martial arts class straight afterwards I felt incredibly weak all of a sudden and broke out in a cold sweat and nausea. Since then, I've also noticed that moderate exercise or muscle stretching would leave my muscles aching for days, like they weren't being repaired efficiently anymore.

A year later, the fatigue and concentration problems were seriously interfering with my work life, so I had to quit my job. I went to the doctor complaining primarily about the sleep and memory problems, and because I felt so distressed about what was happening to my body and mind, I broke down in tears. This led to a diagnosis of depression. I was prescribed medication but after trying lots of them I have had no success. Now I'm at a loss as to what to try next. My physical symptoms don't fit in well with the d/x of depression. My doctors are trivialising the physical aspects, or thinking they are anxiety-based/somatoform or whatever.

I've had a neurology exam (walking in a straight line and the usual stuff), neuro obviously thought I was wasting his time.
Also had a daytime EEG, which was fine. If anything was abnormal they would have been able to give me a sleep study or nighttime EEG, as my sleep is very disturbed.
Had blood tests done again recently: blood count, biochemistry, liver & thyroid function, they all came back ok.
I have asked my doctor to check my testosterone levels, because of my non-existant libido, which has been beccoming a worse since around 5 years ago. I'm waiting for that result at the moment.

Some more symptoms...

Physical:

Easy bruising & slow healing of cuts or other damage to the skin
Muscle weakness
Weight loss
Intolerance to heat & cold
Dizziness & problems when standing
Hypoglycaemia
Dry, flaking lips, skin & nails
Dark shadows under eyes
Lower back ache

Mental:

Severe Brain fog/blank mind
Mood changes
Poor appetite
Feel worse in the morning
Irritability
Jumpiness

Sorry if there is anything I've left out, brain is seriously fogged at the moment. Any responses are greatly appreciated. NHS doctors have let me down for so long!
 
I'm hypothyroid. Your list includes most of the classic signs/symptoms. Since hypothyroidism is one of the most frequently missed diagnoses in existence, it's possible that your thyroid tests may not be as "ok" as you think. You may not even have had the best tests available for it.

Do you know which tests you had and the results? If you care to reveal those, many folks on the Thyroid Disorders board can help you decipher them so you can see whether to pursue that angle.
 
I think the hypothyroid angle is well worth considering.

Please find a doctor who's willing to examine this hypothesis further for you, and let us know on the board what his/her opinion is.
 
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