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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
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.
Posted by Hombre on March 26, 2010, at 1:10:07
In reply to Does depression cause physical fatigue?, posted by Walfredo on March 26, 2010, at 0:56:42
Heaviness of limbs is a question on the depression rating scale I fill out everytime I see the doctor.
I experienced severe overall fatigue and lack of stamina when depressed. With treatment, my workouts are actually leading to increased strength and stamina, as they should.
Don't doubt yourself. If you're doing what you can without meds (sleep/food/exercise/support) and symptoms still persist, consider getting help. I think doubting that I am even (clinically) depressed is one of the more insidious symptoms of my own depression.
Posted by manic666 on March 26, 2010, at 4:50:56
In reply to Does depression cause physical fatigue?, posted by Walfredo on March 26, 2010, at 0:56:42
sure every muscle in you body ache,s theres no message from your brain telling them to pump it
Posted by SLS on March 26, 2010, at 7:10:56
In reply to Does depression cause physical fatigue?, posted by Walfredo on March 26, 2010, at 0:56:42
> But basically, I'm just wondering if this sort of fatigue in the extremities is common in depression
Totally.
What you are experiencing is a symptom known as "leaden paralysis". Your description might as well be coming from a text-book. Have you ever tried a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)?
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on March 26, 2010, at 10:41:49
In reply to Re: Does depression cause physical fatigue? » Walfredo, posted by SLS on March 26, 2010, at 7:10:56
I've not heard of leaden paralysis? Phillipa
Posted by Walfredo on March 27, 2010, at 0:38:23
In reply to Re: Does depression cause physical fatigue? » Walfredo, posted by SLS on March 26, 2010, at 7:10:56
See, I have heard about "leaden paralysis", specifically in the context of atypical depression.
You say my description is "text book" but I have always read that leaden paralysis is "a sensation of heaviness in limbs". What I experience is not a heaviness per se, but more a fatigue upon exertion.
I feel like I have heard of this "leaden paralysis" equated to like when your lying on the couch and your limbs feel like they are too heavy to move or get up.
This isn't really what I experience. Maybe my perception of what "leaden paralysis" was is inaccurate and what I experience is indeed leaden paralysis. I'm just trying to clarify.
Thanks for the follow ups and please follow up some more!
Posted by Walfredo on March 27, 2010, at 0:41:24
In reply to Re: Does depression cause physical fatigue?, posted by Walfredo on March 27, 2010, at 0:38:23
oh, and as far as whether or not I have tried an MAOI? The answer is yes...sort of. I had a really short trial on Nardil, only making it up to 60 mg. With my weight (200 lbs+), I had read that my optimum dosage was probably more in the 90 mg range but I never made it there because the side effects (sexual and insomnia to the extreme!) and dietary restrictions were so harsh.
Posted by SLS on March 27, 2010, at 8:28:35
In reply to Re: Does depression cause physical fatigue?, posted by Walfredo on March 27, 2010, at 0:38:23
> You say my description is "text book" but I have always read that leaden paralysis is "a sensation of heaviness in limbs". What I experience is not a heaviness per se, but more a fatigue upon exertion.
I see. I guess I misinterpreted your words. For me, I experience something similar to what you describe here - premature muscle fatigue and things feeling heavier. It's as if there is an increase in the sensitivity to lactic acid. With depression, I guess there is some sort of change in nociception. I have bipolar depression, which often looks similar to atypical depression. Parnate is often the first choice of a MAOI for bipolar disorder. For some, though, Nardil works better. My only long-term remission was achieved using a combination of Parnate and desipramine.
- Scott
Posted by bleauberry on March 27, 2010, at 19:02:30
In reply to Does depression cause physical fatigue?, posted by Walfredo on March 26, 2010, at 0:56:42
While fatigue is often a symptom of depression, it is also a stand-alone problem without depression, as well as both the depression and fatigue being something else.
Posted by Walfredo on March 28, 2010, at 16:51:30
In reply to Re: Does depression cause physical fatigue?, posted by bleauberry on March 27, 2010, at 19:02:30
bleauberry....any thoughts on whether my fatigue is depression or other related, based on my description????
Posted by bleauberry on March 29, 2010, at 19:15:26
In reply to Re: Does depression cause physical fatigue?, posted by Walfredo on March 28, 2010, at 16:51:30
> bleauberry....any thoughts on whether my fatigue is depression or other related, based on my description????
No, I can't tell. The problem is these things all look the same. There are ways to probe and pinpoint causes. Low cortisol, also called hypo-adrenalism or adrenal exhaustion, usually has depression and fatigue as primary symptoms. A yeast problem within will look and feel like depression, but is not due to low serotonin or low anything. It is more due to contaminated serotonin and contaminated neuros, along with inner inflammation and immune stress. Same with a bacterial load. How to go about checking various things is another chapter.
Posted by Walfredo on March 29, 2010, at 21:43:34
In reply to Re: Does depression cause physical fatigue?, posted by bleauberry on March 29, 2010, at 19:15:26
you mind throwing out a quick laundry list of things I should check? I can try to figure out how to check them out myself (hopefully) but if you wouldn't mind throwing out some ideas just to get me started, I would be very grateful.
You keep mentioning yeast (ie candida, right?). Is there some sort of litmus test to see if that might be an issue?
This is the end of the thread.
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