help with chronic fatigue patient

[Guest guest]

I have a patient who has suffered with " Chronic Fatigue " for 12 years

and has not worked in that time. We have made some progress, but

seem to be " stuck " after 18 months of herbal treatment, as well as

the occassional acupuncture treatment.

 

Age 41 Female

Very tired, unmotivated

Chronic insomnia, esp. before period

Wakes feeling unrested, even if sleeps ok

Depression, anger (feels victimized)

Very cold ... especially from the knees down, with sweating feet

Puffy eyes

Chronic pain in the upper traps

Digestion is fine now, altho' still tendency to loose stools

PMS ... breast distention, bloating, insomnia, irritability

(this became far more obvious when she stopped taking BCP last

November, which was causing break through bleeding and irregularity)

Her period is very light, brown color, no pain, sleep impoving on the

third day.

 

Her condition is very influenced by her emotional state ...

her mom-in-law died, and she was set back for several months. Again,

her cat died, and the same (very drastic) reaction. At this present

time, her husband may lose his job ... which makes her more angry.

 

Tongue: very pale, with slight teeth marks, and thin white coating

(which becomes thick when given Yin tonics such as Suan Zao Ren)

 

Pulse: deep and weak and thin, kidney position even weaker. At

times, the left pulse is wiry, but not always.

 

Her sleep patterns have improved so that she finds them bearable, but

are very tenuous. When she doesn't sleep well, she panics and becomes

even more depressed and resentful.

She is now off all medications (was on Effexor and Tofranil) ... and

her grogginess in the morning has improved somewhat.

 

She seems to be chronically blood deficient. I believe she suffers

from Kidney Yang Xu, Liver qi stag, and heart and liver blood xu.

Treatment for these patterns have been ongoing with medium success.

Initially, she responded well to Modified Gui Pi tang, but after

several months, become unresponsive to that. Now, the Blue Poppy

formula " Ultimate Immortals " with additional herbs for

Liver qi stag. and kidney warming herbs has encouraged some

improvement, but she seems to be on a plateau.

 

Any suggestions?

Shelley