Excessive tiredness; possibly related to veganism?

[takkaria]

Hi,

I went ovo-vegetarian more-or-less a year ago, and almost entirely vegan six/eight months ago. Over the last couple of weeks, I've noticed a general fatigue all day long, regardless of the amount of sleep I get... it's really interfering with my ability to do pretty much anything at all.

I had glandular fever a year and four months ago -- I wonder if I've got chronic fatigue/ME, though from friends and family, I understand that ME generally hits a lot harder when people first get it.

I have fortified soymilk with cereal in the mornings, which I believe should give me enough B12, but I get the feeling this might be a diet issue (but please don't bother saying "you can't live as a vegan"--it's much more helpful if you have a specific suggestion for what it might be).

Any ideas appreciated.

[maclinda]

There are too many causes of fatigue to begin to list! But I'll try to give you a sampling of lab work I would order for a patient: complete blood count (anemia or other blood abnormality), complete metabolic panel (kidney & liver function, glucose level), B12 and folate levels, and a thyroid panel.

A good doc should always first take a careful history and do a good exam before ordering any bloodwork, of course.

What you may want to do is make a bit of a list of life changes/symptoms before you arrive at the office.

Fatigue is not something you can diagnose and treat by yourself, unless you have an obvious life change you can attribute it to. There are just too many possibilities, and it can be dangerous to just start supplements trying to see if "this one helps". Certain supplements can mask a deficiency of others, making you very sick!

Then again, it may even be a sign of depression, which is another whole ball of wax.

Your quickest way of getting an answer is to go see your friendly family doc and have them help you sort it out.

Hope you get to feeling better soon!

[escapee]

I have fortified soymilk

Oh .. What about a ban on all soy food for 30 days and return back to Ovo veg to see if it helps ?

The truth of Soy

[Minsc]

Do you eat anything with lots of fat or complex carbs? (esp. fat)
Ex. nuts, avocadoes. (walnuts are a good source of EFAs but have a lot of Omega6)
Beans, rice, buckwheat, bread in general, have lots of complex carbs.
Potatoes have lots of starch, which I've heard bad things about but don't know why.

Things that don't have any/much are sugary fruits and green, leafy vegetables(which have almost no calories).

Could be something else though.

[Ravi]

I've been vegetairian for 20 years, and vegan for the past 5. While vegan I ran marathons....did Ironman Triathlons and other crazy stuff....I never felt a lack of energy.

I would definitely advise you to get a full blood/lab workup by your doctor just to make sure everything is good. I got my own blood tested last year and everything was completely normal (or better than normal) except for 1 thing.....vitamin D!

This was due to lack of sunlight (I live in rainy Seattle ) It had nothing to do with Veganism.

In fact, I trace most of my signs of fatigue to my work...and not to my diet (I work in a very hectic job in the tech industry).

It is entirely possible to feel healthy and really thrive on a vegan diet...just make sure you are getting enough of the proper nutrients (fresh greens, whole foods, lots of water, lots of sunlight).

[artic123]

I do eat eggs, soy, legumes, nuts for energy. When I find myself lagging, it is usually because there is some hidden ingredient, i.e. whole wheat bread not really being whole wheat bread just a percentage.

I find if I don't detour from my healthy diet, I'm okay. I think you get ultrally sensitive to preservatives, hidden (sp?) sugars, etc. after being on a vegan diet--at least I do.

Thanks for bringing this matter to us. You help us all.

Artic

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Were you previously consuming the same amount of wheat products and carbs? I find that a lot of certain carbs (like pasta mainly) really brings me down. And wheat can be a real downer for a lot of people...it's likely many are allergic, but the symptoms are such that you don't think it points to a food allergy. Do you eat much sugar? Or refined carbs? You could even be allergic to soy...

I don't know if this is what is making you tired, but you can always try an elimination diet to figure out if something you are eating is affecting you negatively.

Definitely regulate your sleep schedule (go to bed and get up at the same time each day). Pay attention to b12 and your other nutrients. Perhaps get a blood workup (anemia, thyroid). I hope you find what's causing this...let us know how you are feeling!

Here's a link on following an elimination diet if you'd like to give it a try:

WebMD

Best.