Wake me up!
July 27, 2011 4:55 AM Subscribe
Why am I so tired all the time? I get 7-8 hours of sleep at night as well as a 45-60 mins nap after work but for months I’ve been feeling really tired. ALL. THE. TIME.
I’m 3 weeks into a new regime of exercising for at least 30 minutes, five times a week (both to loose weight and I was told it would increase my energy levels).
My diet is mainly healthy (90% Vegetarian) and I take supplements: Cod Liver Oil, Multi-Vitamins & Minerals and extra Vitamin C. I’m also on the contraceptive pill and have been taking all of the above for years.
What else can I do to stop this feeling of being drained? It is driving me mad.
I know YANMD.
I’m 3 weeks into a new regime of exercising for at least 30 minutes, five times a week (both to loose weight and I was told it would increase my energy levels).
My diet is mainly healthy (90% Vegetarian) and I take supplements: Cod Liver Oil, Multi-Vitamins & Minerals and extra Vitamin C. I’m also on the contraceptive pill and have been taking all of the above for years.
What else can I do to stop this feeling of being drained? It is driving me mad.
I know YANMD.
It could be sleep apnea or a similar disorder. IANAD, but I do have sleep apnea, and I suggest consulting a specialist for a sleep study.
posted by Faint of Butt at 5:04 AM on July 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by Faint of Butt at 5:04 AM on July 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
there are a lot of causes for fatigue, so various anecdotal things we could say would all be just that. I complained of this to my doctor, and he ran a blood test on me which looked at different levels - found my B-12 levels were quite low. Supplements have helped. But that's just one of many reasons you could be fatigued.
The mention of exercising for weight loss rings one bell - have you done a pregnancy test?
posted by randomkeystrike at 5:05 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
The mention of exercising for weight loss rings one bell - have you done a pregnancy test?
posted by randomkeystrike at 5:05 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
1. You might not be eating enough. Do you often feel too cold or too hot? Do you have cold hands or feet?
2. You might not be sleeping deeply enough. Are you able to sleep on your back? Without snoring or making noise? When you're not thinking about it, do you find yourself breathing primarily through your nose?
3. You may have allergies that are making your immune system tell your body to feel tired. Have you tried eliminating milk, wheat, eggs, etc., waiting a few weeks, and introducing them one at a time for five days each?
Your doctor can do a bunch of tests to rule out anything super-obvious.
posted by zeek321 at 5:09 AM on July 27, 2011
2. You might not be sleeping deeply enough. Are you able to sleep on your back? Without snoring or making noise? When you're not thinking about it, do you find yourself breathing primarily through your nose?
3. You may have allergies that are making your immune system tell your body to feel tired. Have you tried eliminating milk, wheat, eggs, etc., waiting a few weeks, and introducing them one at a time for five days each?
Your doctor can do a bunch of tests to rule out anything super-obvious.
posted by zeek321 at 5:09 AM on July 27, 2011
Definitely get a blood test--could also be low iron. And keep in mind that 7-8 hours of sleep a night is not enough for some people. I need at least 8 myself. The difference between tired and energized often comes down to an extra half hour or so at night.
posted by Go Banana at 5:11 AM on July 27, 2011
posted by Go Banana at 5:11 AM on July 27, 2011
Yeah, please go to the doc - I spent a summer feeling exhausted, but not knowing why. A while later I was at the doc for some unrelated blood tests, and they said "Um...did you have mono?" [confused look from me] "Looks like you had it and recovered." [!]
posted by HopperFan at 5:15 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by HopperFan at 5:15 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
I t could very well be mono. Mono does not knock you out when you are an adult, like it does if you get it as a teen. Adult mono is 3-4 months of feeling like you never get enough sleep. SO go see your doctor.
posted by COD at 5:34 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by COD at 5:34 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Go to your doctor - its impossible to diagnose you from the information you've presented. Fatigue has so very many causes many of which can be picked up on a simple blood test.
I'd guess iron or b12 based on the mostly vegetarian diet (assuming that's mostly vegetarian, occasionally a bit of chicken or fish rather than mostly vegetarian with a large steak at the weekend ;) ) and it only starting (or worsening?) when you started an exercise program but only a blood test will tell you for sure.
posted by missmagenta at 5:39 AM on July 27, 2011
I'd guess iron or b12 based on the mostly vegetarian diet (assuming that's mostly vegetarian, occasionally a bit of chicken or fish rather than mostly vegetarian with a large steak at the weekend ;) ) and it only starting (or worsening?) when you started an exercise program but only a blood test will tell you for sure.
posted by missmagenta at 5:39 AM on July 27, 2011
I just suggested this yesterday in another thread, but:
iron deficiency anemia can really make you exhausted. I was recently diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. My symptoms: tired all the time despite adequate sleep, cold hands and feet, craving to chew ice, paleness, postural hypotension, exercise intolerance, feeling weak. Those symptoms can be caused by a thousand different things (well, not the ice craving, but even that's not specific to iron deficiency anemia), so don't assume. I went to the doctor and was tested for thyroid levels, various possible vitamin deficiencies, and of course iron. The treatment is taking a high dosage iron supplement under the supervision of a doctor, because too MUCH iron is toxic.
I'm 25, female and vegetarian. Being 25 and female is a big risk factor for iron deficiency anemia, but actually being vegetarian is not, unless you are eating a very restrictive diet such as macrobiotic.
Hope you feel better soon!
posted by Cygnet at 5:45 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
iron deficiency anemia can really make you exhausted. I was recently diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. My symptoms: tired all the time despite adequate sleep, cold hands and feet, craving to chew ice, paleness, postural hypotension, exercise intolerance, feeling weak. Those symptoms can be caused by a thousand different things (well, not the ice craving, but even that's not specific to iron deficiency anemia), so don't assume. I went to the doctor and was tested for thyroid levels, various possible vitamin deficiencies, and of course iron. The treatment is taking a high dosage iron supplement under the supervision of a doctor, because too MUCH iron is toxic.
I'm 25, female and vegetarian. Being 25 and female is a big risk factor for iron deficiency anemia, but actually being vegetarian is not, unless you are eating a very restrictive diet such as macrobiotic.
Hope you feel better soon!
posted by Cygnet at 5:45 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
My vegetarian mother ended up with anemia, she had a lot of the same symptoms as you. A trip to the doctors and a quick blood test could rule out a lot of problems. My mum took iron supplements for a while and now eats better. She used to just eat basically just veggies and carbs, now she makes sure she has protien sources and eats iron rich veggies and she's a new woman.
posted by wwax at 5:53 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by wwax at 5:53 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Not to worry you and Nthing the advice about seeing a doc but a year of so ago, my husband showed a pattern of exhaustion that wasn't warranted by the physical activity he was doing.
Last summer he had a mild heart attack and had to have some arteries re-opened because two of them were big time blocked. The exhaustion was from his poor heart trying to keep up with just every day living.
I keep an eye out now for any patterns of him sleeping a lot again because it was definitely a precursor to his heart attack.
Good luck to you!
posted by Mysticalchick at 5:53 AM on July 27, 2011
Last summer he had a mild heart attack and had to have some arteries re-opened because two of them were big time blocked. The exhaustion was from his poor heart trying to keep up with just every day living.
I keep an eye out now for any patterns of him sleeping a lot again because it was definitely a precursor to his heart attack.
Good luck to you!
posted by Mysticalchick at 5:53 AM on July 27, 2011
Response by poster: Ok - clearly a trip to the GP is in order so I'll go make an appointment.
But for further info: not pregnant, not always too hot or cold, a partner has mentioned sleep apnea to me before (I snore like a bear apparently), mostly vegetarian = chicken etc on the odd occasion, definitely worse since starting exercise.
Also - have white spots on my nails. Another symptom?
posted by She Kisses Wyverns at 6:00 AM on July 27, 2011
But for further info: not pregnant, not always too hot or cold, a partner has mentioned sleep apnea to me before (I snore like a bear apparently), mostly vegetarian = chicken etc on the odd occasion, definitely worse since starting exercise.
Also - have white spots on my nails. Another symptom?
posted by She Kisses Wyverns at 6:00 AM on July 27, 2011
How much protein are you getting? (I know you can get protein not from meat, I would ask that even if you hadn't said mostly vegetarian)
posted by mrs. taters at 6:08 AM on July 27, 2011
posted by mrs. taters at 6:08 AM on July 27, 2011
Also - have white spots on my nails. Another symptom?
Nah. Those are probably calcium deposits, normal and not related, though of course ask your GP if you worry about them.
posted by clavicle at 6:19 AM on July 27, 2011
Nah. Those are probably calcium deposits, normal and not related, though of course ask your GP if you worry about them.
posted by clavicle at 6:19 AM on July 27, 2011
Please mention the sleep thing to your GP, as you probably are in order for a sleep study. In addition to interfering with the body's ability to reach and maintain REM sleep, apnea can also cause damage to the heart, which may not be getting all the oxygen it should if your breathing is severely impeded while you're sleeping.
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 6:21 AM on July 27, 2011
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 6:21 AM on July 27, 2011
White spots on nails can be a sign of zinc deficiency, but they can also be caused by totally normal things.
posted by Cygnet at 6:31 AM on July 27, 2011
posted by Cygnet at 6:31 AM on July 27, 2011
Just FYI, spoon-shaped nails (nails curving up instead of growing straight) is a fairly unique sign of anemia.
posted by Cygnet at 6:34 AM on July 27, 2011
posted by Cygnet at 6:34 AM on July 27, 2011
I have no bone to pick with being vegetarian, but please don't equivocate being vegetarian with a healthy diet.
Iron and protein are two important parts of a balanced diet - two items often missing from a vegetarian diet. Get a blood test and get everything checked out. If you want to remain vegetarian, make sure you're getting enough protein and iron (beans, spinach, etc.)
Good luck and feel better.
posted by unexpected at 6:38 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Iron and protein are two important parts of a balanced diet - two items often missing from a vegetarian diet. Get a blood test and get everything checked out. If you want to remain vegetarian, make sure you're getting enough protein and iron (beans, spinach, etc.)
Good luck and feel better.
posted by unexpected at 6:38 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thank you everyone!
I'm booked into the Dr's a week from today.
posted by She Kisses Wyverns at 6:48 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm booked into the Dr's a week from today.
posted by She Kisses Wyverns at 6:48 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
It is possible you are sleeping too much. When I sleep too much, I also feel more tire than normal.
posted by eas98 at 6:55 AM on July 27, 2011
posted by eas98 at 6:55 AM on July 27, 2011
In addition to everyone else's suggestions, your naps may be too long. Short naps that end before you enter slow-wave sleep are most revitalizing. Longer naps may leave you more tired and mess up your sleep cycle.
There have been numerous studies on this, with the conclusion being that a 20 minute nap improves alertness, mood and productivity.
posted by justkevin at 6:59 AM on July 27, 2011
There have been numerous studies on this, with the conclusion being that a 20 minute nap improves alertness, mood and productivity.
posted by justkevin at 6:59 AM on July 27, 2011
I would suggest that perhaps you are not sleeping enough. Some people require more than 7-8 hours per night. You may be one of them. If you check out as healthy, try varying your sleep routine. Sleep an an hour more. Sleep an hour less. Try each for a week or two. See what leaves you feeling tired and what doesn't. If the problem persists, see if there is a sleep clinic near you.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 7:22 AM on July 27, 2011
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 7:22 AM on July 27, 2011
It will help your doctor if you can describe "really tired" in a bit more detail. Do you feel like you're going to fall asleep while reading/watching tv/driving/whatever? Do you feel excessively out of breath when doing things that shouldn't be that difficult? Do you just feel like moving your body is too much effort to be worth getting off the couch? The difference between sleepy, out-of-breath, and muscle-tired can help differentiate between likely causes of your troubles.
Also, have you been gradually increasing your workout intensity, or did you jump right into to serious cardio for 30 minutes 5 times a week? It could be that you're just exercising too hard, too soon.
posted by vytae at 7:27 AM on July 27, 2011
Also, have you been gradually increasing your workout intensity, or did you jump right into to serious cardio for 30 minutes 5 times a week? It could be that you're just exercising too hard, too soon.
posted by vytae at 7:27 AM on July 27, 2011
It happened to me a couple of years ago and it turned out that I had mono.
posted by 4ster at 7:28 AM on July 27, 2011
posted by 4ster at 7:28 AM on July 27, 2011
"Snoring like a bear" - could very well be sleep apnea. I want to emphasize, sleep apnea is NOT just for overweight middle-aged men. You can be young and female and still have it because of the way your throat and/or jaw are shaped. Do you have big teeth and a small jaw?
When you wake up, do you have a headache and/or a sandpaper-dry mouth? Do you sweat a lot during your sleep? Do you get up to pee a lot? These are also signs of apnea.
Please ask your doc for a sleep test. These days they're often done at home - you strap a little machine to your chest, put an oxygen monitor on your finger, and you get to sleep in your very own bed.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 7:33 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
When you wake up, do you have a headache and/or a sandpaper-dry mouth? Do you sweat a lot during your sleep? Do you get up to pee a lot? These are also signs of apnea.
Please ask your doc for a sleep test. These days they're often done at home - you strap a little machine to your chest, put an oxygen monitor on your finger, and you get to sleep in your very own bed.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 7:33 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Take vitamin D. Lots of recent studies show that people spend less time in the sun, and produce less vitamin D. easy and cheap, and you can take a lot before it's too much.
posted by theora55 at 8:04 AM on July 27, 2011
posted by theora55 at 8:04 AM on July 27, 2011
I definitely could've written this question a year so ago....
Something that has helped me tremendously is very, very simple. Who knows, you might get lucky!
Wake up without an alarm clock. Seriously. That's it. No more brain fog, just the occasional sleepiness that a cup off coffee knocks out.
If you wake up before your alarm clock, don't go back to sleep--regardless of how early it is. Unless you were obviously woken up by an external influence, I think your body is telling you "OK! I'm ready to go...let's do this!"
It's super, super hard to get into the habit, but once I did, it's made a huge difference in my life. (Also, I still set my alarm for the latest possible time just in case I oversleep...those days I can definitely tell that I didn't follow protocol.)
Good luck!
posted by Zoyashka at 10:09 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Something that has helped me tremendously is very, very simple. Who knows, you might get lucky!
Wake up without an alarm clock. Seriously. That's it. No more brain fog, just the occasional sleepiness that a cup off coffee knocks out.
If you wake up before your alarm clock, don't go back to sleep--regardless of how early it is. Unless you were obviously woken up by an external influence, I think your body is telling you "OK! I'm ready to go...let's do this!"
It's super, super hard to get into the habit, but once I did, it's made a huge difference in my life. (Also, I still set my alarm for the latest possible time just in case I oversleep...those days I can definitely tell that I didn't follow protocol.)
Good luck!
posted by Zoyashka at 10:09 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
The cod liver oil probably has your Omega-3s covered, so I'll just nth Vitamin D and possibly an iron supplement — I like Floradix because it's easy to take and non-constipating. I'd estimate that the combination of those three things (I take plain fish oil, not cod liver oil, but close enough) gives me about twice as much energy as I have without it.
posted by Lexica at 10:20 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Lexica at 10:20 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
When you go to the doctor, specifically ask about blood tests for various vitamin deficiencies. They aren't included on the general CBC panel so he had to specifically write it into the lab order. I was feeling rather blah/fatigued last year and talked to my endocrinologist about it. Thyroid levels were OK, but he specifically did a Vitamin D test and it was low. Like...the low end of the scale was 35 and I registered a whopping 15. That kind of low. He looked at me and said "You'd probably feel better with more Vitamin D." So he told me what kind of OTC supplements to get and how much to take.
So yeah...complete blood workup, and ask about Iron, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D levels. And any other vitamin levels he/she thinks might be worth testing. Might as well get it all at once if they're taking blood from you!
posted by MultiFaceted at 10:30 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
So yeah...complete blood workup, and ask about Iron, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D levels. And any other vitamin levels he/she thinks might be worth testing. Might as well get it all at once if they're taking blood from you!
posted by MultiFaceted at 10:30 AM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Another thing I just thought off that may/may not apply to you.
I have had asthma since I was a year old, but I only use a rescue inhaler when needed. I just recently went to an allergist for testing and they did a respiratory test as part of it (where you blow into a spirometer and they measure all kinds of things like flow and volume and stuff). Anyway, my numbers wound up to be only 70% of what they should have been at "normal", which is not good for a non smoker like me. I had apparently been having more asthma problems than I realized but I had gotten accustomed to not getting enough air in my lungs, so didn't realize how bad off I was (yep...I've been a hot mess in the health department this past year!). I do know that I also had been feeling sleepy and having "brain fog", but I never thought that my asthma could be causing it. I'm now on a daily inhaler and I can tell a HUGE difference.
You may not have asthma at all, but if you do it may be slightly exacerbated by the exercise. Or the possible sleep apnea could be causing your problems, so talk to your doctor about everything. Turns out oxygen is pretty important!
posted by MultiFaceted at 10:37 AM on July 27, 2011
I have had asthma since I was a year old, but I only use a rescue inhaler when needed. I just recently went to an allergist for testing and they did a respiratory test as part of it (where you blow into a spirometer and they measure all kinds of things like flow and volume and stuff). Anyway, my numbers wound up to be only 70% of what they should have been at "normal", which is not good for a non smoker like me. I had apparently been having more asthma problems than I realized but I had gotten accustomed to not getting enough air in my lungs, so didn't realize how bad off I was (yep...I've been a hot mess in the health department this past year!). I do know that I also had been feeling sleepy and having "brain fog", but I never thought that my asthma could be causing it. I'm now on a daily inhaler and I can tell a HUGE difference.
You may not have asthma at all, but if you do it may be slightly exacerbated by the exercise. Or the possible sleep apnea could be causing your problems, so talk to your doctor about everything. Turns out oxygen is pretty important!
posted by MultiFaceted at 10:37 AM on July 27, 2011
I spent the past 3 months completely exhausted for no apparent reason. After months of Doctors appointments, blood work, and all sorts of tests with no results I was at my wits end. Then my partner accidentally left the gas on and went to work. When we came home we called the gas company immediately. They tested the apartment and discovered that while the stove was fine (nothing a good airing out wouldn't fix) our heater had been improperly installed and had been leaking small levels of carbon monoxide in the house every time it cycled on. He told us that we were lucky the old place is so drafty otherwise we would have "woken up dead one morning". So it turns out my exhaustion did have a cause, one that is incredibly hard to find unless you're looking for it. Chronic carbon monoxide poisoning is the silent killer. Have your home tested just in case. Good luck. I know the hell that is unexplained exhaustion and the feeling that no one, not even your doctor, is taking you seriously.
posted by I'myourMuppet at 11:46 AM on July 27, 2011
posted by I'myourMuppet at 11:46 AM on July 27, 2011
Are you eating after you work out? It doesn't need to be a lot--a banana will do. Or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. No amount of sleep will correct your glycogen stores being depleted.
posted by corey flood at 12:35 PM on July 27, 2011
posted by corey flood at 12:35 PM on July 27, 2011
If you're 90% vegetarian, well, you probably need more protein and you almost definitely need more fat. Fat is fuel for your body. Add some coconut oil to your diet and if you can handle it back off the 90%.
Of course, reduce stress however possible.
posted by carlh at 6:47 PM on July 27, 2011
Of course, reduce stress however possible.
posted by carlh at 6:47 PM on July 27, 2011
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posted by la petite marie at 4:57 AM on July 27, 2011 [3 favorites]