Why do I feel so weak lately?

Question

I was diagnosed with anemia several years ago and am on iron. My doctor hasn't found out why I'm anemic. I don't have heavy periods or any bleeding problems. I just feel so tired and sick. I don't have much of an apetitte either. I was treated for depression and I take my meds. correctly. They are working fine. I'm not depressed. Any clues?

Answer 1

Anemia is when you do not have adequate iron in your blood. Iron enables hemoglobin molecules to carry oxygen to your cells. When you do not have enough iron, you do not have all the ingredients for your metabolism to work correctly. Thus the feeling is dragged out and tired. I had anemia for several years. Sometimes it is not known why anemia happens. Continue with your iron, drink all the water you can (more oxygen) and eat lots of fiber to avoid the constipating effects of iron. Good luck.

Answer 2

Firstly, go to your doctor and have her check your iron level. May as well eliminate the obvious.

Depression is not always physical. I am speaking from experience. I was on a variety of anti-depressants and doses for many years and they made me feel a bit better, but not better-better. As it turns out, I had really lost touch with the part of myself that knew what kind of life I wanted to be leading. When I got back in touch with it, and made some changes (not huge changes even, just little changes) and I found I didn't need to take my pills anymore. In fact, I felt better after these changes without drugs than I did before and with them. In a year and a half of hard personal and emotional work I went from needing the occassional suicide watch to mostly feeling great (I have bad days, sometimes even bad weeks, just like everyone else).

And most antidepressants (I assume you are on some sort of SSRI, a dopamine reuptake inhibitor or a seratonin/norepinephrine (sp?) reuptake inhibitor) have some very serious side effects. In fact, your description of feeling weak may be a side effect of your medication. Reuptake inhibitors are never completely metabolized out of your system and so new side effects can appear years after you start taking the drug, as the amount of it continues to build in your blood stream. FDA drug tests typically last only a few months to test drugs which some people take for years and years. When I went off my anti-depressants, I began to feel that I had much more energy and I felt more capable than I ever have in my whole life.

My other question is, are you on hormonal birth control? (oral contraceptives, the patch, that shot (Depa? Whatever it's called), nuvaring, injection, implants, or the hormone releasing IUD) Because that too can cause the listless sort of feeling you are describing, again, many of these chemicals are not broken down in the body at the same rate you are absorbing it so new side effects can occur after years of taking the same drug. Especially if by sick you mean sick to your stomach. Also, bodies change as they age and drugs tolerated at one point may become intolerable (this goes for antidepressants as well as birth control). Hormonal birth controls have depression (and stomach upset) listed as a common side effect.

My advice, talk to your doctor about your iron levels and discuss the possibility of your antidepressants (and birth control, if that's relevant) causing this feeling. Also, I'd take a long look at your life. Is this what you want? If not, what are you willing and able to change?

Good luck!

Answer 3

You should go to your Dr and ask for a CBC test (complete blood count). Most likely, you are anemic and low on iron. I have been severely anemic twice. Recently, I bruised very easily, was tired and extremely weak, and the Dr was able to tell me a couple days after the blood test that I was anemic and to get on iron ASAP. Red meat has a lot of iron in it, so that is why your body is craving it; because you are probably low on iron. I had some weird cravings when I was anemic. I craved ice, and I read in a magazine that people who are iron deficient may crave ice. Feel better, and get to the Dr so you will feel better! Take care :)

Answer 4

Classic signs of a hangover. But seriously, you may have an undetected condition that you need to see the doctor about. Get a full physical and blood screen.

Answer 5

Anemia can be just a symptom of a different problem. Consult your doctor every time your symptoms change or you get a new one.

Answer 6

Possibly a glucose imbalance or low blood pressure. There are many other possible reasons. I hate to suggest this, but maybe you should see a doctor again. May God bless and keep you.

Answer 7

ANTI-DEPRESSENTS CAN MAKE YOU TIRED. THE HEAT CAN MAKE YOU TIRED. MAYBE YOU NEED TO USE A DIFFERENT MEDICATION ASK THE DR. ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS OF MEDICATIONS AND MAKE SURE IF YOUR TAKING MORE THEN ONE MEDICATION THAT THE COMBINATION IS OK SOME MEDICATIONS CAN COUNTER ACT OTHER MEDS.

Answer 8

you can be weak and be depressed everyone thinks because your not crying your not depressed depression is physical too talk to your dr about an increase in your meds

Answer 9

maybe your sick go see a doctor again they will solve your clue hopefully

Answer 10

Does the word "MILK" ring any bill???
Try drinking MILK excessively...
Be a milk drunk!!!