I’m hoping to get some guidance or hear from people with similar experiences. I’ve been struggling with severe fatigue and activity intolerance for over 5 years now, and I’m starting to wonder whether this could be ME/CFS, autonomic dysfunction, or something similar.

Main symptoms:
Ongoing exhaustion and low energy since around 2019
Spending most of the day in bed because of fatigue
Big decline in ability to function socially and physically
Feeling mentally “paralysed” and unable to initiate things
Emotional flatness/numbness rather than sadness
Can only tolerate small amounts of activity
After going out or socialising I get a heavy head, exhaustion, need to lie down immediately, sometimes need paracetamol. wiped out for the rest of the day.
Quality of life massively reduced — can’t work or socialise normally
Symptoms haven’t improved despite trying exercise, diet changes, sleep routines, or forcing habits

Impact on daily life:
Can only manage about 3/4 hours in the office before becoming overwhelmed/exhausted
Mostly housebound outside of work
Stopped socialising because the physical crash afterwards is too much
Feel unable to live a normal daily life

Medical history:
Sertraline helped deeper depressive feelings, but didn’t touch the exhaustion
Zyban made no difference
Still feeling emotionally flat and unmotivated
Fatigue and activity intolerance unchanged
Blood tests all normal (B12, D, iron, thyroid, etc.) nhs & private

What I’m trying to understand:
This doesn’t feel like “just low mood” anymore. The physical exhaustion and inability to tolerate activity feels abnormal and is seriously affecting my functioning.

I’m planning to speak to a GP again about getting a referral rather than just adjusting antidepressants again

Has anyone had similar symptoms?
How did you approach your GP, and what helped you get taken seriously?
Any advice or things I should mention would be really appreciated.

TL;DR:
5+ years of severe exhaustion, activity intolerance, and crashes after even small exertion. Normal blood tests. Antidepressants helped mood but not the physical symptoms. Can only manage a few hours of activity before becoming wiped out for the rest of the day. Mostly housebound. This feels physical, not just low mood. Looking for advice on how to approach my GP about investigating ME/CFS, autonomic dysfunction, or other causes, and how to get a proper referral instead of just changing antidepressants again.

Hi
I’m tryin to organise my finances properly and build a long term setup, but I’m a bit overwhelmed by all the options and would appreciate some advice/opinions.
I’ve been reading the wiki/flowchart and looking at savings account comparisons on MSE, but I still feel unsure about the best way to structure everything as a beginner.

Current thinking is:
1 current account for salary/bills/spending
1 high-interest savings account or Cash ISA for emergency savings
1 Stocks & Shares ISA for long-term investing later on

Main things I’m trying to figure out:
Best/easiest current account setup
Best high-interest savings account right now
Whether Cash ISA > normal savings account currently
Best beginner-friendly investing platform
Whether keeping things simple is better than chasing rates constantly

For context:
Just getting started with managing money properly
Want something simple and sustainable
Main goals are saving consistently and building good habits long term

Thanks

I’m considering paying for private healthcare after feeling pretty stuck with the NHS route and wanted to hear other people’s experiences.

For context, I’ve had ongoing health issues for years now that heavily affect my day-to-day functioning and energy levels. I’ve been through multiple GP appointments, regular blood tests, medication reviews, lifestyle changes (exercise/sleep/diet), and antidepressant treatment.

I had another GP medication review today and the outcome was essentially to taper down the medication and review again in a few months, which has left me feeling like I’m stuck in a loop of waiting without much actual investigation happening.

I’ve already looked into:

• NHS referrals through my GP
• Whether changing medication might help
• Basic private GP options online
• Health insurance through work

I’m now debating whether it’s worth paying privately for either a private GP or specialist consultation, but I honestly don’t know whether it genuinely leads to better outcomes or just faster appointments.

For people in the UK who’ve gone private:

• Was it worth the money?
• Did it actually lead to more thorough investigation/treatment?
• Did you go via a private GP or straight to a specialist?
• Any providers/approaches you’d avoid?

Not looking for diagnoses or medical advice — more interested in real experiences of navigating private healthcare when NHS routes feel exhausted.

I had a GP medication review today for sertraline and came away feeling pretty deflated.

I explained that while the medication has helped with the deeper depressive feelings, I still have severe exhaustion and struggle to function normally day to day. Even small amounts of activity wipe me out physically and mentally for the rest of the day.

This has been going on for years now and is affecting work, socialising, and basic daily life. I was hoping to discuss possible further investigation or referrals, but the outcome was basically “taper down the sertraline and review again in November”.

I’m now considering going private because I feel stuck in limbo and don’t know how long I can keep functioning like this.

For people in the UK who’ve been in a similar situation:

• Was going private worth it?
• What type of specialist did you see first?
• Did you find private GPs actually more proactive with referrals/testing?
• Any advice on navigating this when NHS appointments feel very rushed/dismissive?

Not looking for a diagnosis, just experiences/advice from people who’ve dealt with long-term fatigue/exhaustion and struggled to get taken seriously.

Me and my friend usually just end up linking up and going to the shopping centres like Metrocentre or Eldon Square, but we’re getting a bit bored of doing the same thing every time.

So far we’ve tried / are planning:
Ghetto Golf
Escapologist
Skate Island

Looking for other ideas anywhere around the North East really — Sunderland, Durham, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Gateshead, whatever.

Open to anything tbh — activities, cool places to explore, unique experiences, good hangout spots, anything a bit different.
What would you recommend?

Hi everyone. I’m posting here because I’ve been studying long-term reductions in motivation, energy regulation, and affective responsiveness in research models, and I’m hoping to hear from people who understand the underlying peptide‑related pathways involved.

Since around 2019, I’ve been following literature on how chronic stressors, metabolic changes, and neurochemical shifts can alter signalling pathways related to drive, reward, and behavioural activation. A lot of the research points toward complex interactions between mitochondrial efficiency, inflammatory signalling, and neuropeptide modulation.

I’ve also been looking at how remote‑work environments and reduced physical activity influence circadian peptides, metabolic regulators, and neuroendocrine rhythms in animal and in‑vitro studies. Some of these models show significant changes in energy allocation, behavioural output, and responsiveness to environmental stimuli.

Over the years, I’ve explored a wide range of papers — from dopaminergic signalling to neuroinflammation to peptide‑mediated stress responses — but I’m still trying to understand which mechanisms are considered most central in producing long-term “fatigue‑like” or “anhedonia‑like” states in research contexts.

I’ve also been reading about how chronic stress exposure alters neuropeptide expression, including CRH‑related pathways, orexin signalling, and other modulators of arousal and behavioural activation. Some studies suggest that even mild environmental demands can produce disproportionately large changes in these systems.

Blood‑based biomarkers in research animals often appear normal even when behavioural output is significantly reduced, which makes the mechanistic picture even more interesting. I’m planning to dive deeper into this area and would appreciate any high‑quality studies or mechanistic reviews that explore these phenomena.

I’m not asking for human protocols, personal experiences, or any form of medical guidance — just looking to understand the science and expand my reading list. If anyone has insights into relevant pathways, review papers, or emerging theories, I’d appreciate the discussion.

Thank you to anyone who shares research or perspectives. It’s always helpful to see how others interpret the literature.

TL;DR:

I’m exploring research on long-term reductions in motivation, energy regulation, and emotional responsiveness in animal and cellular models. Looking for mechanistic discussions or studies involving neuropeptides, mitochondrial function, neuroinflammation, or stress‑related signalling — strictly research‑focused, no human use.

Hi everyone. I’m posting here because I’ve been dealing with a long stretch of emotional flatness and exhaustion, and I’m hoping to hear from people who relate to this kind of experience.

Since around 2019, my energy and interest in life have been fading. Over the last four or five years, I’ve spent more time in bed than anywhere else. It feels like I’ve missed out on what should have been some of the best years of my life. Watching other people move forward while I feel stuck has been a mix of sadness, frustration, and numbness.

I studied through the Open University, so even my degree was done from home. I recently got a job that’s mostly remote, which helps, but the one day I go into the office is incredibly difficult. I’m usually only able to stay for a few hours before I have to leave because I don’t have the energy or the mental capacity to interact or socialise. Seeing others walk around, talk, and enjoy their day makes me wish I could function like that.

I’ve tried so many things over the years — changing routines, trying new habits, pushing myself — but nothing has shifted the exhaustion or the emotional flatness. I often feel mentally “paralysed,” like my brain and body won’t switch on even when I want them to.

I’ve been on sertraline for about a year. It helped with the deeper depressive feelings, but now I feel emotionally muted. Not sad, but not motivated or engaged either. Just neutral, which somehow feels even harder to deal with.

Even small amounts of activity wipe me out. If I go out for a single day, I come home with a heavy head and need to lie down immediately. It usually takes the rest of the day to recover, and that makes it hard to keep up with anything in my life.

My blood tests are always normal, and I get them checked regularly. I’ve booked another GP appointment for next week. In the past I’ve felt brushed off, but this time I’m hoping to be taken more seriously. I do have some savings, and if I need to go private just to be heard, I’m prepared to do that. I just want to feel like a human being again.

Thank you to anyone who reads or shares their experience. It means a lot.

TL;DR:
I’ve spent what should have been the best years of my life mostly in bed. I feel emotionally flat, exhausted after even small activities, and mentally “paralysed.” I’m looking to hear from anyone who relates to this kind of long-term anhedonia and disconnection.

Hi everyone. I’m posting here because I’ve been struggling for a long time, and I’m hoping for some emotional support from people who understand what it’s like to feel stuck in this kind of place.

Since around 2019, my energy and interest in life have been steadily fading. Over the last four or five years, I’ve spent more time in bed than anywhere else. It feels like I’ve missed out on what should have been some of the best years of my life. Watching other people move forward while I feel frozen in place has been a mix of sadness, frustration, and numbness.

I studied through the Open University, so even my degree was done from home. I recently got a job that’s mostly remote, which helps, but the one day I go into the office is incredibly difficult. I’m usually only able to stay for a few hours before I have to leave because I don’t have the energy or the mental capacity to interact or socialise. Seeing others walk around, talk, and enjoy their day makes me wish I could function like that.

I’ve tried so many things over the years — changing routines, trying new habits, pushing myself — but nothing has shifted the exhaustion. I often feel mentally “paralysed,” like my brain and body won’t switch on even when I want them to.

I’ve been on sertraline for about a year. It helped with the deeper depressive feelings, but now I feel emotionally flat. Not sad, but not motivated or engaged either. Just neutral, which somehow feels even harder to deal with.

Even small amounts of activity wipe me out. If I go out for a single day, I come home with a heavy head and need to lie down immediately. It usually takes the rest of the day to recover, and that makes it hard to keep up with anything in my life.

My blood tests are always normal, and I get them checked regularly. I’ve booked another GP appointment for next week. In the past I’ve been brushed off, but this time I’m hoping to be taken more seriously. I do have some savings, and if I need to go private just to be heard, I’m prepared to do that. I just want to feel like a human being again.

Thank you to anyone who reads or shares their support. It means a lot.

TL;DR:
I’ve spent what should have been the best years of my life mostly in bed. I feel emotionally flat, exhausted after even small activities, and mentally “paralysed.” I work mostly from home, but even a few hours in the office wipes me out. I’m looking for emotional support from anyone who relates to feeling stuck like this.

Hi everyone. I’m sharing this because I’ve been dealing with a long-term decline in my energy and functioning, and I’m hoping to hear from others who relate. I’m not looking for medical advice — just support and shared experiences.

Since around 2019, my energy and interest in life have been steadily decreasing. Over the last four or five years, I’ve spent more time in bed than anywhere else. It feels like I’ve missed out on what should have been some of the best years of my life. Watching other people move forward while I feel stuck has been a mix of frustration, grief, and numbness.

I studied through the Open University, so even my degree was home‑based. I recently got a job that’s mostly remote, which helps, but the one day I go into the office is extremely difficult. I’m usually only able to stay for about three hours before I have to leave because I don’t have the energy or mental capacity to interact or socialise. Seeing others walk around, talk, and enjoy their day makes me wish I could function at that level.

I’ve tried a lot over the years — reading more, going to the gym, changing my diet, adjusting sleep routines, building habits — but none of it has shifted the exhaustion. I often feel mentally “paralysed,” like my brain and body won’t switch on even when I want them to.

I’ve been on sertraline for about a year. It reduced the deeper low mood, but now I feel emotionally flat — not sad, but not motivated or engaged either. Just neutral, which makes it harder to push myself into action.

Even small amounts of activity wipe me out. If I go out for a single day, I come home with a heavy head and need to lie down immediately. It usually takes the rest of the day to recover, which makes it difficult to maintain routines or social connections.

My vitamin B, D, iron, and thyroid levels are normal, and I get regular blood checks. I’ve booked another GP appointment for next week. In the past I’ve been given fairly generic advice, but this time I’m hoping to push for a deeper look into what’s going on. I do have some savings, and if I need to go private to be taken seriously, I’m prepared to do that. I just want to feel like a functioning human again.

Thank you to anyone who reads or shares their experience. I really appreciate it.

TL;DR:
I’ve spent what should have been the best years of my life mostly in bed. I feel emotionally flat, exhausted after even small activities, and mentally “paralysed.” I work mostly from home, but even a few hours in the office wipes me out. I’m wondering if anyone else with chronic illness has experienced this mix of long-term fatigue, emotional blunting, and feeling like life is passing by.

Hi everyone. I’m posting here because I’ve been struggling with my ability to function day‑to‑day, and I’m hoping to hear from people who’ve dealt with similar challenges in their productivity or energy levels.

Since around 2019, my energy and interest in life have been steadily declining. Over the last 4/5 years, I’ve spent more time in bed than anywhere else. It feels like I’ve missed out on what should have been some of the best years of my life. I see other people moving forward while I feel stuck, and it’s a strange mix of frustration and numbness.

I studied through the Open University, so even my degree was home‑based. I recently got a job that’s 80% work‑from‑home, which helps, but the one day I go into the office is incredibly difficult. I’m usually there for about three hours before I have to leave because I just don’t have the energy or mental capacity to interact or socialise. I watch others walking around, chatting, enjoying their day, and I find myself wishing I could function like that — just a normal level of energy without feeling drained by the simplest things.

I’ve tried a lot over the years, reading more, going to the gym, changing my diet, adjusting my sleep routine, building habits, but nothing has shifted the exhaustion. I often feel mentally “paralysed,” like my brain and body won’t switch on no matter how much I want them to.

I’m on sertraline, which reduced the deeper low mood, but now I feel emotionally flat. Not sad, but not motivated or engaged either. Just neutral, which makes it even harder to push myself into action.

Even small activities wipe me out. If I go out for a single day, I come home with a heavy head and need to lie down immediately. It usually takes the rest of the day to recover, which makes it hard to maintain any kind of routine or social life.

My vitamin and thyroid levels are normal, and I get regular blood checks. I’ve booked a GP appointment for next week to talk about all of this again. In the past I’ve been brushed off with generic advice, but this time I’m going to try to push for further help. I do have some savings, and if I need to go private to get proper support, I’m prepared to do that. I just want to feel like a functioning human again.

Thank you to anyone who reads or shares their experience. I really appreciate it.

Hi everyone. I’m posting here because I’m trying to understand what’s been happening to me over the last few years, and I’m hoping to hear from people who’ve gone through something similar.

Since around 2019, my energy and interest in life have been steadily declining. Over the last 4/5 years, I’ve spent more time in bed than anywhere else. It feels like I’ve missed out on what were supposed to be the best years of my life. I see other people moving forward while I’m stuck in the same place, and it’s a strange mix of grief, frustration, and numbness.

I graduated through the Open University, so even my degree was home based. I recently got a job that’s 80% work from home, which helps, but the one day I go into the office is incredibly hard. I’m usually there for about 3 hours before I have to leave because I just don’t have the energy or the mental capacity to interact or socialise. I watch other people walking around, chatting, enjoying their day, and I find myself wishing I could live like that, just a normal life without feeling drained by the simplest things.

I’ve tried so many things over the years; reading, gym, diet changes, sleep routines, forcing myself into habits, but nothing has shifted the exhaustion. I feel mentally “paralysed,” like my brain and body just won’t switch on no matter how much I want them to.

I’ve been on sertraline 100mg since last year. It reduced the deeper depressive feelings, but now I feel emotionally flat. Not sad, but not motivated or engaged either. Just neutral, like everything is muted.

What’s been especially difficult is how my body reacts to even small amounts of activity. If I go out for a single day, I come home with a heavy head, need to lie down immediately, and often end up taking paracetamol because I feel so drained. It wipes me out for the rest of the day. Because of that, I’ve lost interest in going out, seeing people, or having any kind of social life.

My vitamin B, D, iron, and thyroid levels are all normal. Despite that, I still feel like my body can’t cope with basic daily life. I get regular blood checks from my GP.

I’ve booked a GP appointment for next week to talk about all of this again. In the past I’ve been brushed off with advice to change my diet or adjust my medication dose, but this time I’m going to try to push for further help and a proper look into what’s going on.

I do have some savings, and if I need to go private just to be taken seriously, I’m prepared to do that. I just want to feel like a human being again.

Thank you to anyone who reads or shares their experience. I really appreciate it.

TLDR:
I’ve spent what should have been the best years of my life mostly in bed. I feel emotionally flat, exhausted after even small activities, and mentally “paralysed.” I work mostly from home, but even a few hours in the office wipes me out. I’m wondering if anyone else with CFS/ME‑like symptoms has experienced this mix of long-term fatigue, emotional blunting, and feeling like life is passing by.

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some guidance on how to restart my TikTok in a new direction.

I have an account from 2022 with around 6.5k followers and 500k+ likes, but it was all K‑pop edits. I haven’t posted since 2023, and now I want to pivot into UGC‑style content (beauty, skincare, clean‑tok, before/after videos, product demos, lifestyle).

My confusion is mainly about where to start.

I see a lot of TikTok/Instagram advice about UGC, but most of it feels vague or like it’s trying to sell something. I’m trying to understand the actual steps for restarting an inactive account and getting it moving again.

My questions:

– Should I post these videos on my existing account even though the niche is changing?

– Does switching niches hurt reach or does TikTok adapt quickly?

– Should I focus on TikTok Shop content first or just post consistently?

– Is there a recommended posting strategy for reviving an inactive account?

If anyone has experience pivoting their niche or restarting after a long break, I’d really appreciate your insight.

Morning all

Am hoping someone here can help me get some clarity because I feel like I’m drowning in vague advice

I have a TikTok account from 2022 with around 6.5k followers and 500k+ likes, but it was all K‑pop edits. I haven’t posted since 2023, and now I want to pivot into UGC.

The problem is: most of the content I see on TikTok/Instagram about “how to start UGC” feels super vague or like it’s trying to sell something. Lots of buzzwords, not much actual direction.

Here’s what I think I understand so far:

Create a small portfolio

Post sample videos

Apply to TikTok Shop campaigns

Pitch brands

But I’m not sure if that’s the correct order or if I’m missing key steps.

I’m interested in:

• Korean skincare / skincare in general

• Clean‑tok

• Before & after videos

• Product demos

• Lifestyle content

My question is:

What is the actual first step you’d recommend for someone pivoting from an old TikTok account into UGC?

Do I post the videos first? Build a portfolio first? Apply to campaigns first?

I’d really appreciate advice from people who’ve started recently or have a clear workflow.

Thanks in advance.