Irritation

[ThomasB]

Does anyone else get very irritated when they're tired from HCM?

From what I've observed I seem to be the most irritable person I know. But there doesn't seem to be any cause other than fatigue. Unfortunately since I'm fatigued all the time I tend to be really irritable all the time.

I've had people comment on how miserable I act all the time. It makes me feel guilty. It's bad at college because I've got a roommate who has lots of energy and is always very talkative. Just him saying good morning sometimes gets my back up and I don't know why. Saying good morning back seems like such a chore. So I grumble something or other and try to get away from him and everyone else as quickly as possible.

It makes things rather difficult. I have spurts of contentment, like I have spurts of energy, but then I go back to feeling immensely tired and immensely ticked off.

[pblead]

Speaking only as an intensely irritated individual who has recently stopped taking his anti-depressant, irritation can be a primary symptom of depression. While you may not feel it is depression, your HCM may be causing symptoms of which you are not aware. Talk to a doctor and be honest about your feelings. There are lots of other symptoms of depression like trouble sleeping or sleeping too much. You need to talk about any symptoms you have. If it is depression, it takes time for the medication to work and sometimes the initial medication may not be the right one for you.

[vickie k]

Hi Thomas,

Do you take a beta blocker? Just wondering if what you are feeling is a manifestation of depression. Beta blockers are known to cause depression and fatigue. I am certainly not suggesting that you discontinue your meds but maybe talk to your doctor about switching to a different med. My 15 year old son was moody,very lethargic, and irritable on Atenolol and does better on Toprol. Of course, he is still irritable, but he is a teenager and I am his mom and that sort of thing seems "normal" for teenagers and their moms. :)
Fatigue is a sign of HCM with or without meds, and it could also be that you are just bummed that at your young age, you don't feel as good as your roommate. That is certainly understandable. When do you see your doctor again?
Vickie

[vickie k]

Seems that Preston and I were thinking along the same lines. What teenager wouldn't be depressed knowing that they have a chronic disease? Depression is nothing to be embarrassed about. Admitting to being depressed is not a sign of weakness. Really do try talking to your doctor about this. Vickie

[Toogoofy317]

Speaking of,

I just went to a counselor today to speak about my irritability. Not only that but I've had trouble concentrating in class. I feel tired all of the time but yet cannot get a decent night's sleep to save my life. I've been having a lot of physical problems as of late too and I don't know what is what anymore. At first, I was just blaming it on the cardiac med but I had to be taken off of them due to hypotension and I still felt the same way.

The psychiatrist has prescrbed a med for me but I am quite scared to be honest. I've had bad responses to anti-depressants. I'll research it and see. He wanted me to go to the group session three nights a week because this week has been esp trying.

Hope this helps some. Oh, yeah I'm 26 hope I'm not too old to chime in here but still in college. Had to withdraw again this semester all I had left was pre-calculus. I wanted to participate in graduation so bad. Guess it is not meant to be guess I will get it in the mail over the summer.

Mary S.

[Pam Alexson]

http://www.anakarder.com/eng/yazilar.asp?yaziid=801&sayiid=

[ThomasB]

Yeah, there's always depression. I'm definetly not the most upbeat person imaginable. It's just the irritation really seems to connect to fatigue and not my usually depressed mood.

Sometimes I'm really tired and yet still in a good mood and someone will come to me try to talk to me and suddenly I get tense all over. It's like everything is fine when I'm tired as long as I don't have to talk to people. Which makes things complicated if I don't want to live like a hermit since I'm tired ALL the time.

And of course, no buys any excuses like "I'm sorry I just snapped at you, I have a chronic disease that may or may not be causing me to be a jerk". They just think you're a jerk. No matter how many times I warn people and say "I'm different than other people, I react differently to things because I've got health issues" still, something happens I react exactly as I promised I would and people still guilt me. No one seems to remember what I tell them-- I'm not as healthy as they are.

Sorry, I'm getting irritable.

[tommysgirl]

Irritation and depression is a big part of any chronic disease. Many people experience a form of depression at somtime. Remember to communicate your feelings with someone you trust. Talking is hard for some people, yet it is important to be able to share how you feel. Best of luck to you.

God Bless!
Sherry

[Pam Alexson]

Thomas ,

I suffer from the same irritable edge and find myself snapping at my mom all the time . She irritates me the most at times because she hovers and gets real chatty when I am exhausted and don't want to talk. I always feel awfull as she is 78, I wish she could read the signals sometimes and just leave me be when I need to be left alone. It is less hard when there is no emotional bond but life makes us have to be civilized and bond even when we are tired and suffering too. In college or in families we are forced into social settings that require " fitting in and acceptance and some grace with communication." This is even when we are not feeling well are dog tired, can't stand to give anymore.

I don't know what will work for you cause I at 53 have this same problem and have never found the solution.

Life with a chronic illness is very tough at many times and it does challenge us.

Hang in there maybe someone will have some better advise.

Pam