So it's Sunday night and I've spent the entire weekend, third one in a row, feeling utterly and totally exhausted. Last year, I told myself I was this tired because I was a first-year teacher--I'm supposed to be tired, right? Before that, in college, I told myself I was depressed (which I was). And before that, I told myself I was just lazy. Now? Now I'm not these things. But here's the thing--I get at least eight hours every night. Even with that, I'm often crawling into bed at 7:30 or 8 p.m. because I simply cannot keep going. I rest all weekend, and am still tired on Monday morning. It's affecting everything I do--I tried to plan today and just couldn't think straight. I tried to grade, but couldn't keep my focus. I did manage to clean my kitchen, but that's mostly out of guilt because my poor husband cleans our entire house frequently. Slogged through it. Still tired. Took a nap. Slept for two hours. Still tired. There are so many things I want to do, but I can't bring myself to do them--like go to the pool or read a book or go for a run--but I'm so tired! UGH. Do you feel this way all year, too? Is this normal? My mom had hypothyroidism, so I'm really hoping it's that, but seriously.. I try to picture slogging through my days like this for another 50 years, and it just seems daunting. Thoughts?
What you're describing is definitely more than a normal level of tired. The only time I've ever felt that way is when I was suffering from depression after a particularly rough patch in my life, and again just before I was diagnosed as Vitamin D deficient. The thyroid issues you mentioned can also play a major role. Even though we as teachers work hard, constant exhaustion is not the norm. Call your doctor and get your thyroid checked and other blood tests. I think Vitamin B has also been associated with tiredness.
This...also log what you are eating and look for patterns. Sugars and carbs can give you quick energy but leave you lethargic. Are you taking vitamins?
When I felt this way, I found out it was Lyme Disease. (This was before I started teaching.) Basically it could be any of dozens of things---best to see your doctor.
I can't until October. I *had* health insurance at my last school, but for whatever reason, my new insurance at my new one won't kick in until October. Even though my start date was in June. Awesome. I take a multivitamin, and I KNOW I don't get enough vitamin D, so I take a supplement. That seemed to help a bit last year, but now it's not working as well. Bah. It's nice to know it's not normal. Also scary to think that, if they can't find anything wrong, it might linger on forever. As for food, we tend to cook at home almost every night, so there's usually a good mix of protein and veggies. Most of the sugars I eat are from fruit or juice. =/ Breakfast is a protein bar and smoothie. Or egg of some kind and a smoothie. So it should be pretty healthy.. right? Maybe? Yeah, I'm so tired I'm rambling now, lol. Thirdgradebuzz, I'm glad that someone has been there and there's been a solution. Thank you. =)
I agree, make the appointment now. Everyone is tired the first few weeks, no matter what, but you have a long history, so if get checked out. I started taking a vitamin b supplement and think it makes a little bit of a difference overall.
It's not normal! I was so exhausted that I could barely move. I've been diagnosed with border-line high cholesterol and vitamin d deficiency. I also was diagnosed with sleep apnea & now sleep with a cpap machine. With a few days of sleeping with my machine I felt so much better. Call your doctor & make an appointment.
I can force myself to move if I have to.. It's not like my body itself is tired, just my mind. Like walking through a fog. I keep wanting it to be an attitude thing, like I can "think" myself out of it. Hasn't worked yet, lol.
I had bloodwork done by an endocrinologist after finding my brain getting fuzzy and my health getting fuzzier. It was a Vitamin D deficiency that hits me more in the winter than the summer, for obvious reasons. My husband's Vitamin D deficiency was so bad, it affected his brain and heart functions (his blood pressure was getting lower each month). My doctor gave me 10,000 IU a DAY at first, now a week during darker months.
I've never had an ongoing feeling of being completely drained. I'm wondering if it could be Lupus or this other ailment that slipped my mind right now!...oh yeah, Fibromyalgia, which has been linked to fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, depression, and anxiety. The latter one affected this one teacher I subbed for eons ago & she went ahead & retired due to it. I hope you get to the bottom of it!
Are you a Diet soda drinker? Do you use artificial sweeteners? These foods will create those very symptoms.
With the thyroid...don't mean to get personal...but of you have gained weight is another sign. Have you tried to just get in the sun at some point in the day or even when you leave. Make that appt.
Definitely see a doctor, because it could be something physical, emotional or mental, something as simple as stress, or a problem you dealt with a while ago and it never had a chance to surface and get worked through.
100% sure I'm not pregnant, and I only do sugar, no artificial sweeteners. If I had other symptoms, maybe.. I do hate the cold, though, and I have gained about twenty pounds, but very slowly over time. I just figured it was my metabolism slowing down, as I'm no longer a teen. Ugggh. What if it's just in my head? :-(
In my non-medical opinion, it definitely sounds like there's more going on here. I would definitely just get to a doctor ASAP and make sure they know about all your symptoms, family history, etc.
Definitely. I'm actually waiting on some tests that might suggest the same possibility now. I have never been overweight, nor have I gained any weight recently.
Then a doctor tells you so and you ask him what to do. But don't let anything written here frighten you, particularly if it's going to be 3 more weeks before you can get to a doctor. Treat the symptoms-- eat right, get some exercise, and sleep when your body tells you to. Once you can get to the doctor, he'll tell you what comes next.
Here is the deal. Depression will do this to you for sure. If a doctor can find nothing I have the answer. Aerobic exercise will give you lots of energy if you do it every day for 30-40 minutes. I am 58 and this summer did about 50 minutes each day with while lifting some weights and doing crunches (300) Lost about 9 lbs and now have tons of energy. Extremely hard to start but if you make it a habit you will be amazed at the energy you have. My BP went way down also. Do some reading on the subject.
I was diagnosed and gained some weight while in college...after 2nd yr coming back with slow weight gain dr ran blood tests. Hypo is what was determined. My gram had it as well...no one else does. Not a big deal little pill when you first get up.
It could be dozens of things. But since you have a decent family history, nothing severe, on October 1st, they'll probably be like "Okay, let's do some blood work and see what is going on!" You could have sleep apnea - although that would've been noticed by now. So not very likely. Probably thyroid issue (family history of it), vitamin deficiency, or maybe anemia. Whatever it is, the answer is simple 99.9% of the time.
Not necessarily! I've complained off & on over the years about being tired. I chalked it up to raising 2 kids, teaching and being constantly busy. My husband & kids told me I snored. Just because you snore it doesn't mean that you have sleep apnea. My snoring is mild, my sleep apnea is mild. Sometimes, when you have a sleep study done, they know before the night is over that you have sleep apnea. Mine wasn't like that. My Dad on the other hand is a totally different story. I just wish he'd do something about it.
Hubby says I definitely don't snore and don't seem to stop breathing. He has the opposite problem--he struggles to fall asleep and stay asleep. Poor guy! Meanwhile, I sing at the top of my lungs to keep myself awake driving to and from school, lol. Oh well. Thank you all so much for your responses. It's nice to feel like other people have experienced this or have some insight. I really appreciate it.
Not always... While snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea, very quiet sleeping with gasps every now and then can be a symptom. Not all people with sleep apnea snore.
Exactly right. Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders can look like other things or like nothing at all. The number one symptom of sleep apnea is actually frequent urination, not a particular kind of snoring. I think that everyone here should be careful about trying to diagnose the OP's problems because, as far as I know, none of us is qualified to do so.
True, that is what mine was like as a baby. My uncle has Sleep Apnea. His is snoring with occasional times where he stops breathing mid snore.
I wasn't telling what she should do, but own experience... I will say She should SEE A DR As soon as she can!!! Like Caesar and Alice...I don't have my MD in medicine...
I too go through each day tired and in a fog, but I am usually okay during the day, however near the end I am in the fog. I know exactly what it feels like. I sleep 2 hours every afternoon. In my case, I am only getting about 6 to 7 hours of sleep every night.
My medical docs kept telling me my thyroid numbers were fine, even though I was exhausted and couldn't lose a pound to save my neck. Then my chiropractor and nutritionist had me do a saliva test that showed that my adrenal gland is toast. In addition, I have a thyroid with high enough numbers, but that doesn't function. He has me on a totally no-carb diet and several supplements and that seems to help a lot. If you want to PM me and tell me your city, I'll ask my chiro-nutrion doc if he knows of a colleague in your city.
