Help. Always exhausted

scrills · March 2013

Lately, I'm always exhausted. My body (feet and legs) feel like they do when I'm on vacation and have been walking around all day, very fatigued. When I wake up, I feel like I didn't fall asleep. Every so often I get in a nap that helps, but overall I'm always tired. Tired, but not sleepy because it takes forever to fall asleep

Every so often I do get a burst of energy and it's a world of difference from how I normally feel throughout the day.

Any suggestions? It's starting to drive me insane.

Mooshville · March 2013

Could be a lot of things or mix of things. Stress, diet, no exercise. Try fixing these first and see what happens. For me I have sleep apnea which means I stop breathing many times during the night, causing me to not sleep well. Folks who snore especially may have this. I'd start with the basics above first and go from there.

PerriP · March 2013

Are you having other issues? Joints swelling or tenderness? Have you had a blood panel run recently? This sounds very much like the fatigue I get when my auto immune arthritis is flaring

The things that help me: rest (even just closing my eyes and laying there) exercise (mostly yoga and walking), making sure I have lots of breaks during the day (on weekends, I work a regular schedule during the week), planning rest periods, decreasing stress, eating properly, and being kind to myself-it's really frustrating and being mad about it just makes it worse

I know in the fibromyalgia thread there were lots of supplement suggestions

ETA I bumped the fibromyalgia thread

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claudine19 · March 2013

You push yourself very hard and are extremely busy and active. Could you try slowing down just a bit to see if that helps?

curlypearl · March 2013

Good suggestions from everyone and if they don't work, check your thyroid (blood test) and iron. If you have heavy periods you could be anemic. It's very common in women of childbearing age.

I met you and you were zippy! Hope your energy comes back.

claudine19 · March 2013

She is zippy. She also multi-tasks like no one else.

Laura Lee · March 2013

Sounds like how I felt when I started taking metformin. Spaghetti legs, inability to think clearly, tired, I had digestive issues as well. I researched and found out that Metformin is linked with vitamin B12 deficiency, so once I started supplementing that, I noticed very quick improvement.

scrills · March 2013

Diet: My diet is decent, not horrible but not great. I get my share of veggies and I try not to eat to much crap. Well, seeing as how I am allergic to snack food and almost everything else, I have to watch my diet. I think I should start juicing again

Exercise: What's that? No, seriously. I know I need to exercise more. I am working on options in that area,

Stress: Yes. My mom passed away (Oct). My dad is in jail. (which has made me head of a crazy family). I'm running a home business (or two) and working full time (with jerks). i have a house to take care ( I need a new roof, fridge, some other stuff). my relationship is a little bumpy right now.

Other issues: No swelling.No tenderness. Most of my other issues where either a sinus infection or allergies which I think I have under control now.

No snoring, unless I have a cold

Ok, so I'm do add exercise and multivitamin and see if that helps.

scrills · March 2013

claudine19 wrote: »

You push yourself very hard and are extremely busy and active. Could you try slowing down just a bit to see if that helps?

I do have a lot going on. November - February is my busy season so that was a lot. Plus I'm trying to launch new products.

I have so much going on that I haven't even been going to happy hour. That makes me sad :sad10:

murrrcat · March 2013

scrills....I don't know but me too.

scrills · March 2013

Laura Lee wrote: »

Sounds like how I felt when I started taking metformin. Spaghetti legs, inability to think clearly, tired, I had digestive issues as well. I researched and found out that Metformin is linked with vitamin B12 deficiency, so once I started supplementing that, I noticed very quick improvement.

yes! Spaghetti legs

I did have digestive issues. I had a ton of gas but now that I've identified and cut out most of what I'm allergic to (sulfites) I've been much better.

The only meds I'm on is BC and I recently added a probiotic

scrills · March 2013

I've also gained weight. 5-7 pounds out of nowhere. It could be that I've been cooking more this winter because I had more workers and I was cooking for them more often.

I know that doesn't seem like a lot but I'm 5ft nothing and a size 4 so it makes a difference quickly

scrills · March 2013

murrrcat wrote: »

scrills....I don't know but me too.

I think we should order some pizza and try to figure it out. After a nap, of course

KookyCurl · March 2013

I'm always exhausted (yay chronic fatigue) but when my blood pressure spiked my legs felt kinda dead, like I'd been working out all the time but in reality I'd barely walked at all. I didn't get any swelling at first, though since I've gotten that under control my ankles have gone down so much that I didn't realize just how swollen they had gotten. Ever feel a bit out of breath? I'm on meds now and working to lose weight and get fit, but I feel a lot better now.

If it goes on, it's worth having some tests run just to be sure.

SCG · March 2013

If you get a chance, maybe see about getting your vitamin D levels checked. I know my mom was feeling kind of like you a few years back, and after having some blood tests done, her vitamin D levels were crazy low! Mine dip too (I guess that's what I get for living in Pittsburgh) and I start to feel like the way you're describing.

It couldn't hurt! In the meantime, take care of yourself! You sound stressed to me, but it sounds like you already know that! If necessary...

treat-yo-self.gif?w=620

scrills · March 2013

SCG wrote: »

If you get a chance, maybe see about getting your vitamin D levels checked. I know my mom was feeling kind of like you a few years back, and after having some blood tests done, her vitamin D levels were crazy low! Mine dip too (I guess that's what I get for living in Pittsburgh) and I start to feel like the way you're describing.

It couldn't hurt! In the meantime, take care of yourself! You sound stressed to me, but it sounds like you already know that! If necessary...

Found this on a blog about sulfite allergies

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that vitamin B-complex may help in the alleviation of the symptoms resulting froma sulfite allergy [
sulfites are known to destroy vitamin B1(thiamin)]
.

Vitamin B12 has been shown to be particularly helpful for some sulfite problems.

I read this but forgot (since I'd gotten my allergies under control). Thanks!

scrills · March 2013

Other comments from sulfite websites. Maybe I need to be more careful with what I eat...

Extreme fatique/tiredness- I described it as "zonking out"... after eating some things about an hour or two later I would just sit down unable to move or do anything for a while and then feel sluggish with "brain fog"

I feel so much better now that I have cut out anything obviously sulfited... I am actually awake and alert and can even walk up and down the stairs better, I don't feel such an old lady any more

.......

Thanks ladies. This has been helpful

Looks like I will have to go back to taking Zyrtec everyday as well.

man, I have a lot of theories to test out

Amneris · March 2013

I hear extreme fatigue and weight gain and I have to wonder if there's any possibility you are pregnant?

I have the same issues - running around all day, multiple commitments, multi-tasking, family / home / work / side projects, lots of pressure to achieve etc. There's not enough time to really take care of myself and relax. I think a lot of women can relate.

LAwoman · March 2013

At the risk of stating the obvious, my first suggestion would be to go and have a full physical/blood work-up etc at your PCP, if it's been at least 6 months to a year since you've done that.

That being said, stress from what you've been dealing with can truly take a very severe physical toll on the body. About 5 or 6 months after my mom passed away back in 1999, I started losing my hair. Like, not a little, but GOBS. I'll bet I lost at least 1/3 to 1/2 of it when all was said and done.

But I think your plan to start juicing again is a really good one! I'll bet your body will love you for giving it a high dose of nutrients during a stressful time.

cympreni · March 2013

I'm not sure if it's been pointed out yet, but depression can manifest in just physical symptoms. The drop in estrogen during your period can also cause fatigue that can last until your hormones levels get back up.

claudine19 · March 2013

Sloooooooow down, Scrills-y. You're doing even more than I realized.

NetG · March 2013

It sounds just like you're running yourself off your feet, except I don't think you would be posting about it if that were all it is.

The sinus infection may have had a bigger toll on you than you realized, too.

Have you been somewhere very dry/desert lately? I don't remember where you're from. We have a fungal infection here called Valley Fever here which gets into your bloodstream. I had three months a couple years ago where I was excessively lethargic and toward the end of it I was sleeping 20 hours a day, only waking long enough to shower, change clothing and eat meals. My Valley Fever test results were inconclusive, and every other possible test my doctor could come up with was negative. I needed Dr. House to diagnose me! In the end, it may have been mild Valley Fever (yes, 3 months of not functioning would be a mild form of it compared to how sick it can make people) and my doctor thought the repeat sinus infections I had been battling at that point in time ran down my immune system and caused it in the first place.

I do hope it's just a vitamin deficiency which you can easily remedy, though!

legends · March 2013

Anemia was my first thought, then B12 deficiency. It'd be a good idea to get blood work done. That's an easy way to rule out a lot of things before experimenting with anything.

scrills · March 2013

Thanks ladies. I'm going to make an appt. It's gotten so bad that I've started taking a nap when i get home from work. Grrrr. But then of course I can't fall asleep.

(I always feel silly making appts for stuff like this)

- Not pregnant (will confirm on Wednesday when my period arrives)

- Anemia - I haven't given blood in maybe a year or so but when I do my bloood drops like a rock. Even so, i will have him check

- Yes, I know I'm busy but this seems like something more. Although, I did get a MAJOR boost of energy last week when I actually completed a project. I danced around like a maniac all day

crimsonshedemon · March 2013

On my phone so this will be short. Get a complete thyroid panel not just tsh. Even with the complete panel, thyroid probs dont always show up.
Check for anemia. Where are you at hormonely? Dr Sara Gottfried's book The Hormone Cure is really good!!! Explains so much! Our hormones (thyroid adrenal dhea estrodial etc etc) affect our entire lives. Unaddressed and we cant heal.
Possible sleep study (unrefreshing sleep can be the cause or contributing factor)
Vitamin deficiency test are not usually accurate using the standard blood test that drs swear by. B12- your blood can show things are normal but a more sensitive urine test shows a deficiency. Vit D and iron are reliable. The rest, not so much.
I would add magnesium right away. It's necessary for energy production, helps sleep, needed for vit d, stress, anti-inflammatory which allergies are, etc etc. it's good for almost everything! D-Ribose is excellent for energy! I use this daily. Fish oil is helpful too.
Eliminate as much caffeine, sugar, maybe gluten too as you can, do some yoga, listen to binaural beats and relaxation music (i use the sleep stream app) etc. Eat clean if you dont already (on my phone cant read everything)
Multi-vitamin- make it a good one not something like centrum. High doses of B vitamins and well balanced.

With the stress, you are burning thru magnesium like crazy and your adrenals are likely getting fatigued. Address those issues and you should see an improvement.

I totally sympathize. I rarely get more than 3 fragmented hours a day but I dont have to work. Thank God! Some days i'm too tired to even shower. Things have improved a lot but sleep is my big issue and constantly working on it.

crimsonshedemon · March 2013

NetG wrote: »

It sounds just like you're running yourself off your feet, except I don't think you would be posting about it if that were all it is.

The sinus infection may have had a bigger toll on you than you realized, too.

Have you been somewhere very dry/desert lately? I don't remember where you're from. We have a fungal infection here called Valley Fever here which gets into your bloodstream. I had three months a couple years ago where I was excessively lethargic and toward the end of it I was sleeping 20 hours a day, only waking long enough to shower, change clothing and eat meals. My Valley Fever test results were inconclusive, and every other possible test my doctor could come up with was negative. I needed Dr. House to diagnose me! In the end, it may have been mild Valley Fever (yes, 3 months of not functioning would be a mild form of it compared to how sick it can make people) and my doctor thought the repeat sinus infections I had been battling at that point in time ran down my immune system and caused it in the first place.

I do hope it's just a vitamin deficiency which you can easily remedy, though!

I'm in central CA and valley fever is a serious issue here. Untreated and you can die. How do you feel now? Normal?

kat180 · March 2013

Hope you start t feel better soon! I always seem to need a nap too. Around 3/3:30pm I just drop. Often I find when I have a lot to get on with, and it certainly sounds like you do, I can't sleep at night because my brain won't shut down. I'm constantly thinking and planning about what needs to be done.

goldencurly · March 2013

cympreni wrote: »

I'm not sure if it's been pointed out yet, but depression can manifest in just physical symptoms. The drop in estrogen during your period can also cause fatigue that can last until your hormones levels get back up.

I can vouch for the depression manifesting as physical ailments. Eating healthy and getting exercise can reduce stress hormones in your body and help fight depression that way.

I hope you feel better soon!

scrills · March 2013

Thanks for recommending Centrum. I wasn't sure what to get and I know I can make it to Target but making it to the vitamin store could take a couple more days.

B-wavy · March 2013

scrills, I hope you haven't gone to Target yet - Crimson said "Multi-vitamin- make it a good one not something like centrum. High doses of B vitamins and well balanced."

scrills · March 2013

HA! thanks.

No I haven't gone to Target yet, LOL. I will go the Max Wellness or Whole Foods to see if I can find something better.

Help. Always exhausted

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