For many years I have suffered chronic fatigue. In the early stages it was somewhat manageable, and I didn’t really think much of it, but it has steadily become worse and worse to the point that sometimes just being outside for an hour or so is very difficult.
It’s heavily affecting my performance at work, and I’m at the point that I feel like if it gets any worse, I won’t be able to work anymore.
-I’m here on a working visa too, so if it gets to that point, I guess I won’t be able to stay in Japan.
I’m a full-time company employee, have a nice place, an amazing partner, a pet, car, and people who are like family to me, basically my life is in Japan now. I want to avoid leaving at all costs.
I have sought medical help before. Once in my home country, and once in Japan.
In my home country, I had a great doctor who did a bunch of blood and heart tests for me, but couldn’t find any abnormalities.
In Japan I was just laughed at and told to sleep more.
I also have yearly health check-ups, but they never find anything serious. (Frankly, I wish they would.)
After researching for a long time, I’m fairly convinced that I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Unfortunately, CFS seems to be difficult to diagnose, and currently untreatable. Many doctors don’t even believe/acknowledge its existence.
So as much as I would like to receive medical help, I don’t know where to go. If anybody has any advice or recommendations, especially in or near Tokyo, which accepts health insurance, I would be exceedingly greatful.
TLDR: looking for somewhere that can diagnose/treat CFS and similar conditions.
Ideally in the Tokyo area and accepts insurance. Â
5 comments
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Sorry for your trouble. Have you got your vitamin d levels checked ? The lack of vitamin D could be one of the reasons for chronic fatigue.
Sounds like something a university hospital might be knowledgeable on.
Sorry to ask if this is offensive, but have you ruled everything else out?
Like I think fatigue and malaise is very common in spring and summer, from very heavy pollen amid poor air quality along with the brutal heat and humidity. It could be anything from hay fever to dehydration to the UV index in Japan being too high. You might try vacation in a different part of Japan, particularly a cooler and slower place like Hokkaido, just to change your environment and see if it makes a difference.
But I think this is a tough one to get through to Japanese doctors. You might ask them to test you if you have a seasonal allergy or something, to at least get your foot in the door. But even then, they’ll probably just give you an injection of anti-histamines.
Are you a man? If you are, maybe you could get your testosterone levels looked at. Low testosterone levels can be a big problem for fatigue and basically any urologist will be able to check for you. If that turns out to be the problem, the doctor may suggest TRT (and if they do and you want to preserve your fertility, ask about hCG).
Vitamin D was already mentioned, but I still think it’s worth considering as well.