Hi @nicolek. I completely understand how debilitating fatigue is. For more than 10 years, fatigue was my chief complaint. I went from doctor to doctor for help. Mostly I was given antidepressants. I never seemed to be able to get someone to understand that if I was depressed, it was because of the fatigue, not that depression was causing fatigue. Interesting that my red blood counts were apparently through the roof all this time, but no one said a word about it. I had no energy to do anything. Even watching TV or reading was out because I was so exhausted. It got so bad that I had to give up my job last summer. It was causing strain on my marriage as well because he couldn't understand why I was tired all the time and was starting to take it personally.
I started seeing a hematologist (not Mayo clinic) in mid-January, who diagnosed polycythemia (cause as yet undermined, so I don't know if it's primary or secondary). I've had 4 phlebotomies since then--the last one cancelled because my hematocrit was in normal limits. (that's the only number my doctor watches)

I will say that after the phlebotomies my energy seems to increase for a day or two, but then it starts to cycle back down. Unfortunately, I haven't found a magic "fix" either. All I can say is for you to be as kind to yourself as you can. Do what you HAVE to do (I know being a mom doesn't allow you to crawl in bed) and let the rest go.

I do find it interesting that they wouldn't phlebotomize you due to your ferritin level. My doctor checked mine just twice--before and after the first phlebotomy--it was at 49 (before) and 40 (after) ng/mL. He's never checked it again. When I asked him why he stopped checking it, he told me it wasn't below 30 so he wasn't going to worry about it. I wonder if it's dropped more and that's contributing to my fatigue. hmmmm.... I do know my iron levels have been well within normal range, so I don't know if an iron-based diet/supplement would help. Of course I'm not a doctor, and I don't trust mine...

I do wish you the best. If nothing else, know that you aren't alone.