Posted by Walfredo on March 26, 2010, at 0:56:42
So, I have noticed for quite some time that my arms seem to get tired very quickly upon any form of exertion. Scrubbing a bathtub recently and I scrub for just seconds and I feel like I need to stop and rest my arms. I often find when shampooing my hair that my arms become tired. Strumming a guitar and my arms tire almost instantly. I work in a restaurant and I noticed the other day when pouring a full pitcher of tea that my arms just felt more tired than they should just from lifting and pouring. These are just a few quick examples off the top of my head - similar occurences are commonplace. They don't cause me any major functional impairment or frustration but just seem "abnormal" or indicative of some problem. I have recently noticed too that when I bend over to pick something up off the ground, I have a tired feeling in my legs as well. Again, kind of subtle, but definitely noticeable.
So, my question is: Can "depression" cause this sort of physical fatigue or should I begin to explore other potential causes for it? Ever since my battle with "depression" began and I started looking for ways to feel better, fatigue has always been a prevailing symptom. It's bothered me in the sense that I always "feel tired" and sleep a lot but feeling tired physically in parts of my body has never been too troubling...just something I kind of notice from time to time when performing chores.
Furthermore, I've always remained a bit skeptical of that fact that "I'm depressed" because I don't feel sad or have lots of "negative thoughts" (only negative thoughts are frustration at how I feel) or anything like that....just tired/poor memory and concentration, lack of motivation, etc. On the other hand, it's almost insane for me to deny that its depression...I've had a psych evaluation done and was diagnosed with "major depression/dysthymia", I had a year run on Paxil where all my symptoms improved and my quality of life was better than I can ever remember, sleep deprivation makes me feel a ton better and seems to energize me, and I recently had a full physical to try to uncover any "physical" cause for this fatigue to no avail....all of this seems consistent with depression.
I'm having a sleep study done next week for the first time, so maybe something will come of that though I'm not really counting on it.
But basically, I'm just wondering if this sort of fatigue in the extremities is common in depression or if it's likely that there is some sort of other problem going on.
I appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.
Best wishes to all of you.
poster:Walfredo
thread:940925
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100318/msgs/940925.html