permanent tiredness

[Bee35]

My 15 year old son has suffered with exhaustion and permanet tiredness for some time. We have had numerous visits to the (largely unsympathetic)Drs who all say he is physically well, blood tests are all negative . He is due for some more next week (most likely neg too). I understand age, hormones, exam pressures all a factor. Sleep cycle is completely on its head (I suffer from this too - we are both nightbirds and could sleep all day). He is off school so much, I am sure questions will soon be asked as he is always ill. Just a simple bug can leave him flat out for a week, and no-one listens!!!!! can anyone relate? I am considering alternative therapies.

[Jazzmanrules]

You could make sure he is taking enough mineral iron - which is present in iron-fortified cereals, dark green vegetables & in red meat (If not vegetarian).
Also, it could be this season as Winter has been known to cause excessive tiredness in many people.
Just make sure he is eating well & ensure that he gets plenty of sleep at night (Also for you I'd say).

[Lonnie]

First thin I thought of was lack of Iron, it may not be, but it sounds like it,

Follow up on jazzmans advice, its good.

[coco pops]

Check out the symptoms for M.E and fibromyalgia

[Bee35]

Thanks for all answers!

[dicky113]

He is 15. Check under his mattress. You will find the answer there.

[dicky113]

Just realised how out of date I am. Dont check under his mattress. Check his internet history log...

[figure]

Was your son tested for diabetes also? Consult with you GP before taking supplements. Excess iron can be fatal, and also lead to other complications. Is your son stressed out? Stress and cause many illness.

LOL Dicky! Not all fifteen years old hide their playboy magazines under the mattress.

[Ice.Maiden]

Figure's made some good points. If anaemia's been ruled out, then it could be caused by many things. Have you tried going to bed at a reasonable time - and getting up earlier?
Also, ME can cause excessive tiredness - as can certain sleep disorders, but it rather sounds to me as though you and your son are trying to burn the candle at both ends. Boring as it may seem - be in bed by 10.30 pm for a week or so, and once you get used to it, you'll probably be up with the lark! Also try and get plenty of fresh air and exercise. x

[skyep]

Hi Bee - You say your son has had blood tests and they have come back negative. Did they test for Thyroid?
This might sound odd, are his stools normal? No bleeding or anything? I went to the doctors suffering with extreme tiredness, it's been a lenghthy process of blood tests ruling out things. I have Thyroid trouble so that was the first thing we tested for to see if it was functioning o.k. My tests came back as I had aneamia, but they didn't know what was causing it. Anyway, the next stage they did a colonoscopy and gastroscopy to see if I may be bleeding slightly internally which can cause symptoms of aneamia. Ice and coco have mentioned M.E, that's a possibility. If he isn't getting a regular amount of good sleep then that's an obvious one and he will need to get in to a regular sleep routine. Figure has mentioned diabetes, this will probably have been an obvious one the doctor would check for, ask questions, you need to know what he is being tested for.

[evedawn]

has he recently (well up to 18months ago) had an upper respiratory infection?

If so it might be CFS (chronic fatic Syndrome realting to this previous infection. In some people (for no know reason) a simple infection (cold / flu) can take 18 month for the body to recover.

I'm hoping they've done a full blood count and tested for glandular fever too?

[tiggertan]

Hi Bee, I'm 29 and have the same symptoms and Dr issues. I've been exhausted for over a year and am now starting to lose interest in things. I'm not depressed, just fed up and run down. After many Dr visits and tests it turned out I had low levels of vitamin B12 and my body does not 'carry' iron like it should. I was also told by another Dr that it was probably M,E. as they could find nothng else!
Anyway, I now have B12 injections which hurt like hell but I do feel quite a bit better when they kick in.
Hope this and that you and your son fell better soon.

X.

[Mandamoo]

Hi Bee, I think everyone's points on here are good ones, but I just wanted to share a personal story with you I'm almost 18 now and a couple of years ago I suddenly became REALLY tired all the time. I would literally get in from school, fall asleep and then not wake up until the next morning. When I went to the doctors they couldn't find any physical problems but I was eventually diagnosed with depression, which is really common amongst teenages, partly because of the stresses you mentioned (exams, hormones, etc). Extreme tiredness and a change in sleep patterns are both signs of depression, is there a chance that this could be the problem?

Good luck, sorry I rambled a bit haha!!

[jimmy654]

Although he's young it may be Fibromyalgia, They have some medications for it but they have limited effectiveness
http://www.myfibro.com/fibromyalgia-medication