Dealing with fatigue

[nsauce]

I am on Hep C therapy, which includes a weekly chemo therapy injection, as well as some antiviral meds that cause extreme fatigue at all times. I like coffee, and want the shot of caffeine to give me an energy boost, but nausea is a side effect of my meds. One awesome thing is they are giving me 60 5mg Dronabinols for nausea, anxiety, and to stimulate my appetite. However the dronabinol contributes even more to being tired all the time, but I am VERY happy with the improvements that dronabinol has had in my overall condition..
tl;dr Whats a good way to deal with chronic fatigue besides coffee, and pharmaceutical stims?
I go see a psychiatrist next thursday so I could always discuss this issue with him/her and see what happens, but what can I try before then?

 

[Mr Blonde]

^ I know you want non-pharmaceuticals, but I just wanted to say modafinil might be a good choice. Could be expensive though.

Wish I had more advice to offer but in terms of medication induced drowsiness, apart from lots of caffeine I haven't had much luck dealing with that issue... was a real problem when I was on risperidone and ziprasidone.

 

[effie]

Hey nsauce, I'm sorry you're having such problems with fatigue. Presume you're eating well, exercising as much as possible (I appreciate how hard this might be for you) and getting lots of rest? Like Mr Blonde I'm not really sure what to suggest I'm afraid.. as you're asking for non-pharmacological means I'm going to try this in Healthy Living though.

HL mods feel free to send back if appropriate

BDD > HL

 

[nsauce]

Ok thanks for the movie effie i think you may be right about that forum being a better venue. Thanks .

 

[RhythmSpring]

I'm the kind of guy who fixes things through diet. If you ask me, cutting out sugar and stimulants is the key to battling fatigue. Also, simple carbs. Protein and vegetables should make up most of your diet, leave the bread, pasta, desserts, candy, coffee, sugary fruits out of it. Simple carbs no, nutrient dense proteins yes.

 

[iconoclast56]

I have had a serious problem with fatigue for years now. Rhodiola rosea works wonders for me. On top of that, exercising every day seems to be gradually curing my drowsiness problem. Gradually is the keyword there, it doesn't happen over night. Its a vicious circle because when I'm drowsy, exercising is very difficult.

 

[nsauce]

I have had a serious problem with fatigue for years now. Rhodiola rosea works wonders for me. On top of that, exercising every day seems to be gradually curing my drowsiness problem. Gradually is the keyword there, it doesn't happen over night. Its a vicious circle because when I'm drowsy, exercising is very difficult.

I have to admit i hate exercising. The most I do is walk the dog really. The fatigue from the treatment is overwhelming. I could deal with it on occasion, but the fatuigue is incessant and relentless.
I actually tired on of those 5 Hour energy things earlier and it seemed to help for a couple of hours, unless it was all in my mind.
Has anyone any experience with these 5 hours energy shots? (no, I havent done a search here for that yet)

 

[RhythmSpring]

I have had a serious problem with fatigue for years now. Rhodiola rosea works wonders for me. On top of that, exercising every day seems to be gradually curing my drowsiness problem. Gradually is the keyword there, it doesn't happen over night. Its a vicious circle because when I'm drowsy, exercising is very difficult.

+1 on the Rhodiola Rosea. I take it too, and I can vouch for it "working wonders" for fatigue and concentration.

 

[Opiates4lyfe]

You may want to try taking a Super B complex with C vitamin in the morning with your breakfast and make sure you are taking a regular mulitmineral/multivitamin supplement if you aren't already doing that. Works wonders for me!