Exhaustion since pericarditis

[NIKKOS123]

Since I had pericarditis 2 and a bit years ago (this wasn't from a heart attack, it just 'occurred') I have become progressively more and more exhausted. I can trace this back to about 2 or 3 months after recovering from pericarditis, when I was sat on a train and everything looked slightly blurry. Well, not blurry, just like I was daydreaming. Two years later, this is my reality every single waking minute.

I am 26, make, 6 foot 4, 85kg, I've never been overweight or underweight, non-smoker and very occasional drinker.

I have had many frustrating trips to the doctor, had my blood test taken numerous times, had my heart checked a few times with ECG and other tests, had my eyes tested, been tested for obstructive sleep apnoea, the list goes on.

My diet is very normal, average. I assume if I had any deficiencies then a blood test would have picked it up.

What on earth could be wrong with me?!

I think back to my life pre-pericarditis when I jumped out of bed, everything looked so bright and alive! Now, it is irrelevant if I have 7 hours sleep, 8, 9 or 10, I constantly have this sense of daydreaming, never quite awake. My attention, focus and short time memory has rapidly declined. I take no medication and never have.

I am currently living in South Korea (from the UK) and would do anything and pay anything to get this sorted but nobody knows what on earth is wrong with me. My job is, and never was, stressful. I have no stresses in my life. The pericarditis did strike very soon after a sudden relationship breakup but to be honest, given that my cardiologist said I have a healthy heart, I'm not even sure the pericarditis is a relevant to this constant fatigue; it's just the timing seems quite uncoincidental.

Could this be some more serious issue? I've told this to many doctors but they seem helpless. I could go for a more indepth sleep study, I could have like a cat scan or whatever these full body scanners are to make sure there's nothing wrong with my brain or body, I just thought I'd check to see if anyone else is aware of any links between what I have described and pericarditis.

I have been tested twice for sleep apnoea. The first time was negative, the second time was "mild". I can;t really afford to test again but I would find a way if necessary.

Oh, my sleep is usually uninterrupted. I have no trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. And this level of fatigue has gradually increased in the last 2 years. Please please help me, I've been asleep for 2 years!!

[Heiferly]

My heart goes out to you. Have you been tested for narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia? Those are also tested with a sleep study, but in addition to the overnight sleep study you did to test for sleep apnea, you also need testing the following day (called an MSLT). I would suggest this might be the next step for you.

If that doesn't turn up anything, I think you need to go see an endocrinologist as it's possible there's an endocrine disorder causing this fatigue. But if that doesn't turn up anything, don't despair. There are so, so many different causes of fatigue. As a person with multiple rare diseases I can assure you: when you having something uncommon it can take years to get a diagnosis sometimes. It's only natural that doctors will rule out the most common things first. So be patient but persistent and know that eventually you will find the answer and there will be better days for you ahead.

Let me know if there is anything else I can answer for you. My heart goes out to you because I can see your very real suffering here, and I have been in your shoes. It will get better. Until then, you are always welcome here in our community and you can PM me personally anytime you have questions or need to vent.

Best wishes, H.

[NIKKOS123]

Your words are so much to me, this is the first time anybody has ever acknowledged my condition and I am forever grateful. I have saved your words onto a file for me to read carefully. If you would be so kind to email me, perhaps we could chat more, I would value an understanding friend above anything right now :)