New to Chronic Illness: Struggling with Diagnosis and Symptoms

Hey Turnip. Do you know what the underlying cause of the tiredness might be? You mentioned it's been this way for the past 4 months, so try to think of something that might have happened back when this first started that could've had an impact on you. If you really can't find a reason behind it, I would try to find a doctor to give you a full diagnosis of what you have, maybe after a sleep study if they think it's necessary for you to get one done. I have a family member with similar symptoms and she was diagnosed with Idiopathic Hypersomnia. Sleepy all the time with no exact cause that can be pinpointed. But she was prescribed a med that helps her handle it and it's not as dreadful for her as it was before she started on it (I don't know which med it is, the point I'm trying to get at is that there are treatments for excessive sleepiness besides coffee and energy drinks depending on what the doctor decides is best). I'm sure that with the right doctor, you can get all of this sorted out and start feeling better! In the meantime I would suggest showing yourself some compassion. It's so easy to feel guilty about being sleepy or needing caffeine to stay awake, I've been there too. Just be careful not to overdo the caffeine and don't push your body too much. It's incredibly hard dealing with all this stuff but there are definitely ways to make life more manageable with the right help. Just hang in there. ❤️

I feel you on being tired all the time. I have celiac and small fiber neuropathy and I have to take a nap after going one outing because I'm so tired and in pain. Caffeine helps but not always. I sometimes walks and that helps.