Fatigue, weird headaches, and dizziness...

Lately, I’ve been struggling with constant exhaustion. Usually, I wake up feeling absolutely drained; today was so bad I actually had to crawl back into bed because I simply didn't have the energy to function like a normal person... and even now, I'm struggling to think, focus, or get anything done...

This has been going on for a while. On top of that, I occasionally deal with low blood pressure—nothing extreme, though it used to be much lower in the past—which leaves me feeling dizzy. Then there’s the headache that kicks in specifically on these "exhaustion days." It can drag on for a week or two... it starts at the same time every single day, and my only options are to take a pill or sleep it off until it stops...

What really spooked me, though, is that alongside my standard migraines, I’ve started experiencing these sharp pains lately. It feels like something is stabbing me right in the head. Sometimes it’s the same spot, sometimes it moves around... just an incredibly sharp, sudden, and intense pain that vanishes just as quickly...

Since nothing is improving, I've decided to see my doctor this week. However, I’ve dealt with similar issues before; I've had stretches where migraines and dizziness were constant... Back then, my doctor wanted me to go through every test imaginable, from neurology and orthopedics to spinal exams and seeing an ophthalmologist... I went through most of those appointments, and naturally, nothing was resolved... The only thing I haven't done yet is a CT scan...

I would truly appreciate it if someone could at least point me in the right direction regarding what this might be...

Honestly, you’re sounding like you’ve got all the classic symptoms of HIV here 🙂
But hey, let's be real—it's probably not that! It’s way more likely just some kind of anemia. If you're one of those hardcore vegetarians or something, then honestly, it wouldn't even be a surprise. Maybe you just need to get off the couch more, hit the gym, eat some actual decent food, etc. Or maybe you're just chronically sleep-deprived. There are a million things it could be.

Well, there goes my peace of mind, right alongside that stabbing pain in my head...
It’s highly unlikely I have HIV, but then again, you can never be absolutely certain...
I am not a vegetarian. I tried it once, but I had to quit because the anemia was just too brutal. I completely overhauled my diet specifically to combat this exhaustion; I eat healthy, prioritize vitamins, stay balanced, and avoid sweets and all those other toxic temptations. I also exercise—running, cycling—precisely to fix this issue. But so far? Nothing.
It isn't a lack of sleep. Granted, I don't sleep much, but that’s just my rhythm. I'm a night owl, and six hours is usually plenty to feel fully rested. Of course, that’s only when I'm feeling normal. Right now, I don't feel rested whether I get six hours or ten....

Hey Megan Williams5! I’m with Ashley Hughes98 on this one—you should probably get your iron levels checked out. Those headaches paired with dizziness? Usually, that’s a neck issue. Not sure if you deal with any posture problems, though. Or maybe it’s just straight-up migraines... I know they’ve been prescribing Nexium tablets for migraines lately.
As for me, I’m constantly exhausted and wiped out, but that’s just my thyroid acting up.

Look, just run all the tests and see for yourself, because honestly, the results could be anything from absolutely nothing to something major. And hey, don't go spiraling over my mention of HIV—everything listed out there is just a symptom of the disease, so I’m basically just talking out of my ass.
On a different note, let's talk about this six-hour sleep thing you mentioned. I remember back when I was pulling some brutal shifts at a construction site for about three weeks straight; I’d try to crash before 9 PM just so I could drag myself out of bed by 4 AM, and even though I felt "rested" in the moment, my body started throwing a total tantrum. That unsustainable rhythm and those ten-hour days—including Saturdays—really messed me up. It manifested as this constant, jittery nervousness running through my system, and my vision actually went blurry and fuzzy for those three weeks. It wasn't until I finally got some decent sleep (well, right after I quit that job) that my sight cleared up and everything felt normal again.
What I'm getting at is... you really ought to be sleeping more. In my opinion, six hours a day just isn't cutting it; that chronic fatigue builds up under the surface, and eventually, your body starts reacting to the exhaustion even if you don't subjectively feel tired. I’d suggest trying to squeeze in a nap for an hour or two during the afternoon, or maybe just heading to bed earlier a couple of times a week to get a solid eight hours in. Give it a shot and see if things start looking up. Just a suggestion.

I was dealing with this absolute nightmare—insomnia, dizzy spells, constant fatigue, just feeling completely drained all the time... my doctor insisted it was nothing more than low blood pressure. Total nonsense. Things finally turned around once I took matters into my own hands and started taking Ferrell iron. I caught a segment on CBS where they mentioned those exact symptoms could be a dead giveaway for an iron deficiency.

Thanks for the input...
Ashley Hughes98, I’m not exactly suffering from insomnia. On average, I manage to get at least ten hours of sleep two nights a week, and about six hours on the others. I even take naps in the afternoon sometimes, so I don't think there is any actual sleep disorder going on here...
Low blood pressure and iron deficiency. It is entirely possible that my blood pressure is low and my iron levels are off, so I am going to get that checked out immediately....
And Paul Chase12, what exactly are the symptoms of thyroid issues? A friend suggested I get my thyroid checked as well because she deals with those problems, and we noticed our symptoms are quite similar...

Honestly, I’m betting on an iron deficiency—it’s such a classic culprit for feeling like a zombie all the time. If there was actually something serious going on, those blood tests would have flagged it by now, right? Just hang in there with the migraines... and if it helps at all, my mom dealt with them too, and they tended to taper off as she got older. Even her doctor said it usually settles down eventually.

Exactly, I just need to run the searches first. I'm waiting on my doctor to get back to me... then we'll see. The worst part is the uncertainty—not knowing what is actually happening or how to deal with it... or if it's even bothering you yet.

Megan Williams5 said:Thanks for the input...
Ashley Hughes98, I’m not exactly suffering from insomnia. On average, I manage to get at least ten hours of sleep two nights a week, and about six hours on the others. I even take naps in the afternoon sometimes, so I don't think there is any actual sleep disorder going on here...
Low blood pressure and iron deficiency. It is entirely possible that my blood pressure is low and my iron levels are off, so I am going to get that checked out immediately....
And Paul Chase12, what exactly are the symptoms of thyroid issues? A friend suggested I get my thyroid checked as well because she deals with those problems, and we noticed our symptoms are quite similar...

It really depends on which thyroid issue you're looking at. Given that you're feeling constantly wiped out, it sounds more like hypothyroidism. Besides the fatigue, I deal with weight gain, leg aches, night sweats, and swelling in my hands and feet...
Your best bet is to get your hormone levels tested (T3, T4, TSH, and TPO)—that'll tell you if that's where the problem lies.

People have already warned you—check your thyroid too, just to be safe. It can mess with all sorts of things. I dealt with weird headaches and dizziness myself when my TSH was high (hypothyroidism)... plus that massive exhaustion and weakness..
If you can't wait for an appointment, you can always get your hormones checked on your own at private labs (though fT4 and fT4 are better indicators than T3 and T4)

That seems like the most straightforward approach to me... just head over to a decent clinic in Ann Arbor, get a full blood panel done, and test those thyroid hormone levels. Then I can take all that data straight to my doctor. My only question is, do I actually need a referral for that? And does anyone happen to know what the damage will be? Like, what's the going rate for a CBC plus thyroid hormones?

If you’re heading to a private clinic or a lab, you don't need a referral. I had my blood work done at , and the TSH, fT3, and fT4 came out to $93. Not sure what the other tests run for, but you can always just call and ask. Just a thought—the standard panel might not include iron if you want to check that too.