Feeling exhausted, weak, dizzy, and numb: experiencing blue tint in fingers and lips...

I couldn't find an existing thread where I could vent about my issues, so I figured I'd just start a new one (if the mods think there’s already a spot for this, feel free to move 🙂 )

So, here’s the deal. This all started recently. I'm dealing with constant fatigue and zero energy. Every now and then, my mouth and limbs go numb, and my legs frequently feel tingly or lifeless. I’m on a few medications—antidepressants and antipsychotics—but none of this shows up in the side effects list for them.
I’ve also been gaining weight lately, though I'm dieting now. I assume my weight plays a role, but I don't get why everything hit me all at once like this...
I get these frequent dizzy spells whenever I, say, stand up from a chair, and my vision just goes dark; I actually have to grab onto something so I don't collapse.
On top of that, I've noticed a constant, slight racing of my heart.
If it’s even relevant, I recently had blood work done for liver enzymes, and they were slightly elevated. They tested me for Hepatitis B and C, but those came back negative. I also had an abdominal ultrasound, which was mostly fine, except for some minor lesions on my liver that my doctor said were likely just a result of the medications I'm taking.

Does anyone have any advice on what this might be? I'm planning to see my doctor, obviously, but I'm curious to hear your thoughts. Has anyone dealt with anything similar? What kind of tests should I expect to undergo?

What’s your blood pressure looking like?
Aside from any medications you might be taking, liver lesions are most likely being driven by obesity and fatty liver buildup.
Start taking some Milk Thistle; it'll help kickstart the regeneration process and clear those lesions out.

It’s all because of the baby; the body is essentially going into shock while it tries to adjust to everything. Just make sure you don't go overboard with the fasting, please.

My cholesterol is creeping up a bit, though I’m pretty sure my recent weight gain is what's really hammering my liver. Gaining weight that fast is a massive shock to the system...

As for my blood pressure, it stays mostly steady. It dips a little here and there, or spikes slightly, but nothing too wild...

And yeah, I did wonder if it was my diet, but it’s not like I’m starving myself or skipping meals...

You really have to prioritize movement and consistent exercise; let’s be honest, relying on nothing but a diet is a total disaster waiting to happen.
It'll pass eventually.

The thing is, I just can't work out without breaking out in a full-blown sweat 😁 (like I mentioned in my first post). To me, the whole sensation feels less like exercise and more like I'm suddenly suffocating from a lack of oxygen...

Michelle Sullivan87 said:My cholesterol is slightly elevated, but I’m pretty sure my weight gain played a huge role in these liver issues—especially since the weight came on so fast, which is a massive shock to the system.

My blood pressure is mostly fine. It fluctuates a bit, sometimes low, sometimes high, but nothing too extreme.

And yeah, I also wondered if it was diet-related, but it’s not like I’m starving myself or skipping meals.

Fluctuating blood pressure isn't "fine." If I were in your shoes, I’d get a 24-hour Holter monitor done just so you actually know what's happening. Beyond that, talk to your doctor about starting an aspirin regimen to help thin your blood, given the cholesterol and what looks like circulation issues. If they give you the go-ahead, you'll need to watch your stomach; even with enteric coating, those things can be hard on your gut, so you definitely shouldn't take them constantly without breaks. You'll likely feel better once your circulation starts moving properly.
Aside from the weight issue, it wouldn't hurt to have your thyroid checked, along with a full hormone panel. Everything in the body is interconnected, and hormonal imbalances could easily be why you gained weight so suddenly.

Michelle Sullivan87 said:Does anyone have any insight on what this might be? I’m definitely planning to see my doctor, but I’m curious if anyone else has dealt with something similar. What kind of tests should I expect?

What's your CBC looking like? (Since you suspect your oxygen levels might be off)

I had some bloodwork done about two months ago, and for the most part, everything looked fine. (Except for my white blood cell count, which was high because of some inflammation)

Michelle Sullivan87 said:I get occasional cyanosis in my lips and limbs, and my legs often go numb.

Could you elaborate on what triggers the discoloration in your extremities and lips? For instance, does cold exposure, emotional stress, or physical exertion set it off?

Does paleness precede the blue tint? Any pain when your fingers or lips turn blue?

If you were to dip your hands into cold water, would they turn blue?

What is your general fitness level? How many flights of stairs can you climb before getting winded? Do you experience shortness of breath during specific activities?

Have you ever dealt with skin rashes, swollen or painful joints, or any unusual shaping of your finger joints?

Have your lower legs ever swelled up?

Regarding the tachycardia—what kind of heart rate are we talking about, and is this rapid rhythm constant or intermittent?

Any coughing?

Maria Fisher46 said:Could you go into more detail about when the bluish tint in your limbs and lips actually shows up? Are there any specific triggers—like being out in the cold, emotional stress, or maybe just physical exertion?

Does the paleness happen right before the blue tint sets in, and do you feel any pain when your fingers and lips change color?

If you were to dip your hands in cold water, would they turn blue then?

How’s your general fitness level? How many flights of stairs can you climb before getting winded? Do you find yourself short of breath during certain activities?

Have you ever dealt with skin rashes, swollen or painful joints, or noticed if your fingers look unusually shaped?

Ever had swelling in your lower legs?

What kind of tachycardia are we talking about here? What’s the heart rate looking like, and is this rapid rhythm constant or just occasional...

Any coughing?

I'll start from the beginning and try to answer everything.
I've noticed the blue tint mostly happens when I'm exerting myself. Though, sometimes it just happens for no apparent reason...
The paleness does show up, but there's no pain, unless my limbs start going numb.

My hands don't turn blue in cold water. 🙂
As for fitness, it's pretty much non-existent. I get winded with basically any real effort, but I guess that's just become my "new normal" since I put on some weight.
I deal with skin rashes quite often and am currently being treated for them; the diagnosis is dyshidrosis.

My lower legs don't swell, but I do get these occasional sharp stabs, sort of like a bee sting.
Tachycardia... hmm, let's say around 90 beats per minute.
No coughing.

It’s definitely a solid start on the clinical exam and history taking.
Adding to everything

-Any old injuries to the musculoskeletal system (especially the spine)? Dizziness, numbness, that kind of thing...
-Degenerative changes in the spine (maybe occupational?) ...
-Thyroid hormone levels?
-Which medications EXACTLY? Some antipsychotics or antidepressants can trigger a "critical" drop in RR compared to whatever baseline the body was balanced at for years—it would be incredibly helpful if she knew what her previous RR readings were versus where they sit now. It would also be a huge help to keep an RR log right now and make sure she takes measurements the second those symptoms hit. Has she done an RR Holter monitor yet?
-She really needs to avoid jumping up too fast from sitting or, even worse, lying down.
-How much weight gain are we talking about in total, and did it kick in right after starting the antipsychotics or antidepressants?
-Did a significant drop in physical activity happen just before these symptoms started?

Let's start with this 😉

velvetmoose9 said:A solid clinical exam and medical history would be a good starting point.
Adding to everything Nicholas Myers already mentioned:

- Any past musculoskeletal injuries (especially the spine)—dizziness, numbness, etc.
- Degenerative spinal changes (maybe occupational?) ...
- Thyroid hormone levels?
- Exactly which medications—certain antipsychotics or antidepressants can cause a "critical" drop in RR compared to what the body was used to for years. It would be incredibly helpful to know her previous RR readings versus what they are now. Keeping an RR log and making sure to measure it right when symptoms hit would be huge. Has she done an RR Holter monitor yet?
- Avoid standing up too fast, especially after lying down.
- How much weight gain are we talking about, and did it happen right after starting the antipsychotics or antidepressants?
- Did a significant drop in physical activity happen just before these symptoms started?

Start with those 😉

No musculoskeletal injuries.
I've never had my thyroid checked.
Currently taking Velafax XL, Leponex, Prazina, and normabel.
I gained weight after being on Zyprexa for a while—about 77 pounds in just a few months.

Just got my bloodwork back. Since I can't make it to see my primary care doctor just yet, I figured I’d post the results that fell outside the normal ranges here. Maybe someone can weigh in 🙂

My CBC, sedimentation rate, and coagulation panel (PT, INR, APTT, fibrinogen) all look fine.

AST - 35
ALT - 38
CK-NAC Activated - 174
GGT - 67
Alkaline phosphatase - 38
Uric acid - 395
Triglycerides - 2.03
Cholesterol - 5.23
LDL Cholesterol - 3.87
Sodium - 135
CRP - 8.8

There it is. 🙂

Michelle Sullivan87 said:Honestly, there aren't any musculoskeletal injuries to report.
So, I’ve been spending a fair amount of time lately looking into thyroid hormones, and man, it’s a bit of a rabbit hole once you start digging. It’s one of those things where everything seems fine on the surface until you realize how much those tiny little chemical messengers actually dictate your entire vibe—your energy, your mood, even how much you're sweating just sitting on the couch. It’s wild how such a small part of your system can basically hijack your whole life if things get out of whack. Honestly, it makes you realize that health isn't always about the big, obvious stuff; sometimes it's just these microscopic fluctuations messing with your head. I’ve never really been one to try and exert control over things.
I’m currently on Velafax XL, and honestly, it’s been quite the journey trying to figure out how my body is actually reacting to it. It’s one of those things where you’re just sitting there, wondering if you're feeling better or if you're just... different, you know? I've been keeping a pretty close eye on everything lately, just trying to navigate the ups and downs that come with adjusting to a new regimen. It's a bit of a process, but I'm just taking it one day at a time and seeing where things land. I’ve been thinking a lot about how Leponex and Prazina interact, especially when you're trying to find that sweet spot with your dosage. It’s one of those things where everything feels fine until you realize the balance is just slightly off, and then you're left wondering if it's the meds or just a bad day. I remember back when I was first adjusting my routine, I felt like I was constantly riding a rollercoaster, just waiting to see if the next bump was going to be a smooth roll or a total crash. It's a bit of a balancing act, honestly.So, I was thinking about normabel again.
I started putting on some serious weight after I went through that stretch where I was drinking a bit too much. So, I've been sitting here thinking about the whole Zyprexa situation, and man, seeing someone pack on 75 pounds in just a few months is absolutely wild. It’s one of those things that really makes you stop and think about how heavy-handed some of these meds can be on your metabolism.

So, we still haven't heard anything back regarding whether there might be a dip in overall physical activity lately? 🤷

Well, looks like we’re back to the old classics when it comes to Olanzapine. 🙄
Man, the pounds just seem to vanish into thin air...
I’m honestly a little worried about you—it feels like you’re heading straight toward having to commit to some seriously hardcore restrictive dieting.

Make sure you get those thyroid hormone levels checked within the timeframe they gave you—seriously, don't put it off. 🙂

Prazina is actually a solid medication, but it can definitely mess with your electrolyte levels sometimes—especially sodium. It’s kind of like how olanzapine loves to throw a wrench in the works with your electrolytes too. I've also noticed that it can occasionally make your heart rhythm act a little funky.

Honestly, looking at those symptoms you mentioned, I’m not entirely sold on the idea that we can pin all of this squarely on the medication.
It’s actually pretty common to see people cutting back on physical activity while they're on this specific treatment plan—and honestly, there are a bunch of different reasons why that happens. But if you find yourself needing to dial things back, you really should just lean into it; it's definitely necessary. If you’re looking to actually drop some weight, you really can't just wing it. You need a solid plan for regular physical activity, and honestly, it's way better if you have someone who actually knows what they're doing guiding you through it. Having an educated pro overseeing your workouts while you focus on cutting down body mass makes a massive difference—it turns a guessing game into an actual strategy. .

So, looking over these results, they’re a little bit outside the standard range, but honestly, nothing to lose sleep over just yet. It’s not like we're looking at a total meltdown or anything dramatic.
Nah, I mean, there’s really no way around it—you definitely need to have a competent GP take a look at this first and give it a proper assessment before making any big moves.

I don't have the full clinical picture here, so I can't give you a definitive diagnosis, but looking at what's been laid out, it sounds like we're dealing with some pretty uncomfortable symptoms—though they probably aren't anything life-threatening. Most likely. Honestly, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it just yet. If you're looking to pin the blame on anyone in this group, here’s who's actually responsible:
Honestly, I feel like most of us are just stuck in this loop of being way too sedentary. It’s that classic struggle where you know you should be moving more, but life just kind of gets in the way, you know? Between grinding through work and then just collapsing on the couch to scroll through your phone, it’s easy to realize at the end of the week that you basically haven't moved an inch more than necessary. It’s not even about being lazy—it's more like we've just become part of the furniture. We aren't getting nearly enough physical activity in, and honestly, it starts to take a toll on how you feel mentally, too. Everything feels a bit heavier when you haven't broken a sweat in days.
Honestly, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the whole weight struggle. It’s one of those things that just feels like a constant, uphill battle, you know? One day you feel like you've finally got a handle on your diet and everything is clicking, and the next, you're staring down a greasy burger at a local diner feeling like all that progress just went right out the window. It's exhausting, really. Dealing with excess weight isn't just about how you look in the mirror—though let's be real, that's part of it—it's more about that heavy, sluggish feeling that follows you around from the moment you wake up until you crash at night. I remember back when I was living in Chicago, I used to think I could just outrun my problems at the gym, but it turns out you can't really outrun biology. It's such a slow, grinding process to find a balance that actually sticks without making you feel miserable every single day.
There’s a chance we might be looking at some blood pressure fluctuations, though honestly, we don't have any hard numbers to go on just yet.
I guess we should probably touch on the meds too, since they’re most likely non-negotiable at this point.

So, here's how I see the whole situation playing out in your story. It’s honestly such a relief knowing there’s actually a decent amount of stuff you can take matters into your own hands with when it comes to your health. You don't always have to be stuck waiting on some specialist or feeling like you're totally helpless; there's plenty you can just do for yourself to stay on top of things. 🙂
It would be honestly pretty sweet if they’d just drop some regular updates here to show us how much progress is actually being made. 😉

Thanks for all the input. 🙂

I’ll take care of myself and get my thyroid levels checked. I just got a little worried that there might be something more serious going on behind all these symptoms...

Feeling pretty wiped out and weak lately...

Michelle Sullivan87 said:I couldn't find an existing thread that fit my specific concerns, so I decided to start a new one here. If the moderators feel this belongs elsewhere, please feel free to move it! 🙂 )

So, here’s the situation: I've been feeling pretty wiped out lately, dealing with constant fatigue and a total lack of energy. Every so often, I get these strange sensations like flushing in my mouth and limbs, and my legs tend to go numb quite frequently. I am currently taking a few different medications—specifically antidepressants and antipsychotics—but none of these symptoms were listed as side effects for any of them.
I’ve been dealing with some bloating lately. I'm currently on a diet, so I assume it might be linked to my weight fluctuations, but I'm wondering why this sudden onset happened so abruptly. It feels a bit like a sudden storm rolling in when the sky was perfectly clear.
I’ve been dealing with frequent dizzy spells lately—for instance, whenever I stand up from my desk, everything goes dark for a second, and I have to grab onto something just to stay upright.
I've also been noticing a constant, slight racing sensation in my heart.
I'm not sure if there's a connection, but I recently had some blood work done to check my liver enzymes, and they were slightly elevated. My tests for Hepatitis B and C came back negative, and an abdominal ultrasound showed everything was fine, aside from a few minor lesions on my liver. According to my doctor, those are just a side effect of the medications I've been taking.

Does anyone have any advice on what this might be? I’m definitely planning to see my doctor, but I was curious if anyone here has dealt with something similar. What kind of tests should I expect to undergo?

Maria Fisher46 said:Could you elaborate on what typically triggers cyanosis in the extremities and lips? I’m curious if certain factors act as catalysts—for instance, exposure to the cold, intense emotional reactions, or perhaps physical exertion?

Does the paleness usually set in before the blue tint appears? Also, do you experience any pain when your fingers and lips start turning blue?

If you were to dip your hands into some ice-cold water, would they turn blue?

How is everyone’s fitness level lately? For instance, how many flights of stairs can you tackle before you start feeling winded? I'm curious if you notice any shortness of breath during your daily activities.

Has anyone else dealt with skin rashes, joint swelling, or pain? I’ve also noticed some unusual shaping around my knuckles lately.

Have you ever dealt with swelling in your lower legs?

What kind of tachycardia are we talking about here? I’m curious about the specific heart rate—how many beats per minute are we seeing—and whether this racing sensation is a constant presence or just something that comes and goes.

Are you dealing with a cough lately?

It looks like Felix might be suspecting an autoimmune issue—perhaps something like Raynaud's or scleroderma?

I’d head straight to a cardiologist and a rheumatologist-immunologist as soon as possible—which is probably exactly what Felix would suggest.

I wouldn't wait around if I were you! The sooner, the better. It feels like the wait times to see a rheumatologist here in the States are getting longer by the day.
Take some photos of your mouth and the rest of your body when you start turning blue. That way, if things don't settle down, you can show those pictures to your doctors so they know exactly what happened.
Best of luck!
Don't wait too long to schedule that doctor's appointment!

I think Felix would tell you the same thing: if I were in your shoes, I’d avoid tanning altogether and minimize any sun exposure. If an autoimmune condition develops, UV rays can trigger antibody production, which can cause these illnesses to flare up significantly—and let’s be clear, these aren't minor issues. Those of us dealing with these conditions tend to skip the sunbathing; even in the height of summer, we stick to long sleeves, trousers, and wide-brimmed hats to keep our skin covered. We also make sure to avoid walking around at high noon, preferring to stay in the shade whenever possible.
That aristocratic paleness 🙂 (though there are plenty of self-tanners out there)

You might want to search online to connect with people facing similar challenges. Looking through forums for scleroderma, Raynaud, or lupus could be helpful, since our symptoms overlap quite a bit.

To determine if one of those conditions is actually at play, you'll need to see a rheumatologist. A cardiologist should also rule out any heart issues before anything is attributed to an autoimmune cause. For instance, living with lupus, I deal with tachycardia and rely on beta-blockers.

Raynaud's typically causes fingers to change color—turning white or blue, for example—while neuropathy can cause similar numbness. All of this often goes hand-in-hand with collagen diseases.

How are your sedimentation and CRP levels looking? Standard tests from a local clinic won't catch these specific illnesses; you really need antibody testing (like ANA, anti-dsDNA, or ENA profiles), along with things like color thermography, EKGs, or Holter monitors. While CRP can give a hint about active inflammation, even normal results don't rule out a collagen disease—it just means there isn't an active flare-up at the moment!

I truly hope you can get all your exams and tests completed quickly... I'm genuinely curious to hear what you find out. Please check back in here, or you can head over to the systemic lupus thread, where we share experiences and symptoms. You'll surely find someone there who is going through something similar.

What strikes me most about this entire situation is the bluish tint in the extremities and lips. Based on what’s been described, it doesn't quite fit the profile of Raynaudov phenomenon. We need an actual clinical exam and further investigation to determine if we're looking at cyanosis. It would be wise to run an arterial blood gas test and an EKG—perhaps even a Holter monitor for both heart rhythm and blood pressure. Depending on the findings, a chest X-ray or pulmonary function tests might be necessary, along with a deeper dive into cardiology or pulmonology, though it's impossible to say for sure without a hands-on assessment. I'd strongly suggest you don't brush this off; bring it to the attention of your primary care physician immediately.

Hey everyone...

I didn't see a better thread for this, so I figured I’d just drop my question here...
Basically, my dad’s been running a fever for five days straight now—it's bouncing between 101 and 103—and we just noticed his fingernails are looking kind of blue... He already went to see his doctor, who put him on some antibiotics, but they don't seem to be doing much of anything. He’s also been taking Max Flu, which is the only thing that actually brings the fever down, but then it just crawls right back up after a few hours. To make things more complicated, he’s diabetic. He already did blood work and a urinalysis, and apparently, everything came back fine. Has anyone dealt with something similar? Any idea what could be causing a fever this high to just refuse to budge?