Listen to your “new normal” baseline. I was also doing the push yourself crash cycle for 1.5 years. It was through this support group that I learned the condition that fit with my symptoms -post exertional malaise. I wasn’t nuts! It’s a real thing. Before that I was just lost. And I did a lot of research, as much as I could and relearned what my body could do.
Combined with that I finally saw a hematologist. After 1.5 years of bloodwork, X-rays, cardiologist tests, mri scans for lung blood clots, getting a pulmonologist to be diagnosed for asthma for the first time, more blood work, emergency room visits… etc… yall know what I mean, I finally got some answers. What other doctors saw as a white blood cell count that was marginally elevated but within normal limits, the hematologist did more expansive bloodwork and found I wasn’t absorbing and storing iron. Put me on oral supplements, to see if they worked. It didn’t. So eventually got an iron infusion. LIFE CHANGING! It was like I came out of a groggy fog. Within a week I was able to do more - still pacing myself of course. But I did t have to take a nap on my office floor multiple times a day. And sleep all night.
The referral to the hematologist was on a whim by my pulmonologist. I just kept asking, “What else do you think? Who else might have answers?”. And she was like… “Well, your bloodwork is a little off with elevated white blood cell counts. I don’t think it’s anything but let them see if they can see more.”

And now I have returned to being a field biologist. I was able to accept a demanding field-based job. I would t have been able to take my dream job if I hadn’t received the infusion when I did.
Also - the infusion I got was fully covered- partially by my insurance and the rest by the drug company. They had a program to cover all out-of-pocket costs. And I got that just because I asked, after getting the initial quote, if there were any other options that might not take me out of work for as long and cost so much. And the doctor had their team find out.

This support group was a game changer for me: mentally and physically. I am not back to where I was, but I feel like I am able to move forward.

Next stop is a neurologist for addressing the internal vibrations….. the healing continues.

Wishing everyone well. Sending hugs to you as you fight for your health and a return to normalcy.