Why am I tired ALL the time?

AmandaMaitland

From morning to night, I am in a constant tired state. I just want to sleep, all the time and I am never rested when I wake up. Here are some facts about me that may be of use.

- I have fibromyalgia and arthritis.
- I rarely drink coffee (or caffeine for that matter) If I do, only one cup.
- I take a multi-vitamins.
- I don't have a strenuous or intense workout routine.
- I've taken B12 for a while now, and no change.
- Recently added in D3 and Magnesium, still no change.
- I sleep 7-8 hours a night.

Any ideas would be wonderful!! Thanks in advance!

sljohnson1207

get tested for sleep apnea. you can ask for the at-home test. they send you the machine. you use it for 3 nights. it's cheaper than going to a sleep clinic, and you get to sleep in your own bed. do.it.now.

good luck!

headofphat

I'm assuming you exercise?

Gigigator6

I agree with SLJohnson, get tested for sleep apnea. I was having the same problem and what a difference having a clap has made for me

GLH2576

Gigigator - I'm not sure that having the clap, i.e., slang for venereal disease, would really help, but a CPAP machine might be good. :-)

laurie04427

Maybe get a checkup with your doctor and get blood tests too. Could be thyroid etc.

artslady96

You definitely should make an appointment to see your doctor and discuss your issue with him/her. The doctor will have insight into whether it is related to your current medical conditions or something else. You may also want to be tested for hypothyroidism or subclinical hypothyroid. I felt absurdly tired and slept all the time for several months, and that was my final diagnosis. After my TSH level returned to <2.0, I felt much better.

MinnieInMaine

You may want to consult with your physician about this but.. . My brother has fibromyalgia and was told that even when he gets plenty of sleep (at least 8 hours), he may feel tired because it won't be a restful sleep due to the way the condition. As suggested, it may help to get tested for sleep apnea as that's a common side effect.

I'd also recommend starting a sleep diary - keep track of how many hours you sleep, how restful or not you feel your sleep was and why (bad dreams, restless legs, etc). This is a good way to keep track of patterns. I also think it's good that you're here and keep track of your diet because you can compare your sleep patters to your diet and see if there are any common threas. Maybe something you're eating is causing you to be restless?

When you do drink coffee or anything caffeinated, make sure it's first thing in the morning. I'm very caffeine sensitive and can't injest any past noon or it will mess with my sleep. Follow other usual sleep help advice like no alcohol, exercise earlier in th day, don't play on electronics or watch tv before bed (read). My brother also found a couple tools that helped - he makes sure his bedroom is completely dark and uses a timed light that slowly increased brightness to help him wake gradually, more naturally.

Best of luck to you!! Fibro fog is a bummer.

janatarnhem

Fibromyalgia causes fatigue and poor sleep quality. I'd discuss this with your Rheumie next time you see them.

funchords

This is complaint #1 of Fibromyalgia.

Try a normal adult dose of pain reliever acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium (Aleve) at bedtime. Do not exceed the label maximum and read the label warnings (interactions?). Do only one kind of these pain relievers for a week, then do nothing for a week, then switch to another one of the above pain relievers for another week, then nothing, finally try the last one. Keep good notes. After 5 weeks, you will have tried all three. If you find that you're generally feeling a little or a lot better when you're taking any pain reliever or only a particular pain reliever, then your fatigue is probably part of the Fibromyalgia sleeping disorders. Tell your doctor about the results and get advice before taking something nightly for a longer term. There are also other and stronger pain relievers that may be more right for you. Your doctor may want to target specific disorders such as RLS or the doctor may want to try an anti-seizure drug.

If you sleep with someone, ask them about any snoring and apnea (snorting, gasping, stopping) and excessive movements during the night. Tell your doctor about these. If you or your partner is good with video recording, try to get a recording of any apnea or movements.

I am not a health professional. Please consider this the advice of an amateur.

awesomejdad

Are you eating sugar? You can crash if your glucose levels are not high enough.

crazychic1133

- I have fibromyalgia and arthritis.

There's your answer! One of the main symptom's of fibro is fatigue!

I have M.E./CFS/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (known by various names), which is kind of under the fibromyalgia umbrella but is more fatigue than pain based.

365andstillalive

Not to sound like a broken record, but... see a doctor, asap.
It could be something as simple as your B12 levels, since I see you're already taking some sort of supplement. B12 can really screw with your energy levels, and you could actually have an absorption problem and not be taking a high enough dose.
It really sounds like you need to go for some blood work and get levels back on a few things, so that you can have a better idea how to manage what's going on. I had to do B12 shots for a few years to get back into normal levels, and they still test me once a year to make sure I haven't slipped, even though I'm taking 1000mg a day now.
Everyone's body is different, and the docs are our experts (like 'em or not).

joanneg572

Question....has your doc ever checked into "Chronic Fatique Syndrome"?
Here is an interesting article.....
http://www.everydayhealth.com/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-syndrome.aspx

AmandaMaitland

I appreciate all of the input and suggestions! I'm not one to take lots of "pills" though.

After slowly incorporating different vitamins into my routine, here is where I am since the beginning of this year. I take BC, multivitamin, D3 (3 times daily- started at 2 times daily), Magnesium, 10,000 mcg B12 (started with 5,000mcg), B12 shots on occasion, and the occasional cup of coffee in the morning. I've been dealing with fibro since I was 18 (6 years ago), then about a year later RA and arthritis.

It just seems to be getting worse and showing itself especially in my face. That plus trying to lose weight isn't a very good look

I am highly considering the idea of a sleep diary though.

plumsparkle

I also suffer from fibromyalgia, so I know how you feel. A few years ago, I was in a similar situation to yourself, if I had to go out anywhere, even getting a lift to the supermarket, doing my shopping and getting a lift back, I would have to sleep for several hours to recover. I couldn't work, i slept A LOT, and i was exhausted all the time. The doctors kept telling me i needed to exercise more - i just wanted to laugh in their faces!!

Then a doctor one day told me i would just get worse and worse unless i did something about it. She told me to try to stop sleeping in the day, and to go for a short walk every day. Even if it was 1 minute out and 1 minute back. Then to increase the time i walked every couple of days. And eventually, I got up to a 20 min walk every day. Which I really enjoyed, and found that the fresh air woke me up a little, and the exercisae and the not sleeping in the day helped me to sleep a little better at night..

I began to think about what other exercise I could do and I began to swim, I did workouts at home from DVD's etc, and gradually i have increased until I now walk 1 hour to work (i now work part time!) once or twice a week, i go running a couple of times a week, and i lift weights - not heavy by some peoples standards Im sure, but heavy by mine!

I think what i am trying to say is that exercise really does help - you have to push through at first, because it is really hard to motivate yourself when you are tired, but it does get better. Of course, I still have bad days, days when i am in pain, or when i am absolutely exhausted, and you have to decide to rest those days, but you have to be honest with yourself, and try not to just use feeling a bit tired as an excuse - and it is hard sometimes, but gradually you find yourself improving, and that helps.

Sorry, bit of an essay! Send a friend request if you would like.

headofphat

try weed.

AmandaMaitland

I also suffer from fibromyalgia, so I know how you feel. A few years ago, I was in a similar situation to yourself, if I had to go out anywhere, even getting a lift to the supermarket, doing my shopping and getting a lift back, I would have to sleep for several hours to recover. I couldn't work, i slept A LOT, and i was exhausted all the time. The doctors kept telling me i needed to exercise more - i just wanted to laugh in their faces!!

Then a doctor one day told me i would just get worse and worse unless i did something about it. She told me to try to stop sleeping in the day, and to go for a short walk every day. Even if it was 1 minute out and 1 minute back. Then to increase the time i walked every couple of days. And eventually, I got up to a 20 min walk every day. Which I really enjoyed, and found that the fresh air woke me up a little, and the exercisae and the not sleeping in the day helped me to sleep a little better at night..

I began to think about what other exercise I could do and I began to swim, I did workouts at home from DVD's etc, and gradually i have increased until I now walk 1 hour to work (i now work part time!) once or twice a week, i go running a couple of times a week, and i lift weights - not heavy by some peoples standards Im sure, but heavy by mine!

I think what i am trying to say is that exercise really does help - you have to push through at first, because it is really hard to motivate yourself when you are tired, but it does get better. Of course, I still have bad days, days when i am in pain, or when i am absolutely exhausted, and you have to decide to rest those days, but you have to be honest with yourself, and try not to just use feeling a bit tired as an excuse - and it is hard sometimes, but gradually you find yourself improving, and that helps.

Sorry, bit of an essay! Send a friend request if you would like.

I'm very happy that exercising is helping you! However it's opposite or me. Exercising always made me even more tired. I always pushed myself to do it because I knew I needed it. Even with arthritis, I still pushed myself to run... until I did a 10k last year, and it took a whole week for my body to feel normal. The pain was miserably unbearable from my joints to every single muscle in my body. Walking afterwards... was something I didn't even want to think about! I turned to walking and swimming more and more.. but still, it doesn't bring about any energy or relief. I just make myself because I know I need to!

As far as normal routine, I work a sedentary job as a secretary. Nothing stressful. Still sleep is all I think about, and when I get home, sitting on the couch or laying in bed is all I feel like doing.

jonesy2932

has your doctor approved the amounts you are taking of the supplements? Go talk to your doctor. After being tired for several years and my doctor just changing around the dosage of my anti-depressant, I switched doctors and she actually listened to me and made things happen. I just found out I have mild sleep apnea so that is why I am tired! Thanks to her I got tested. Definitely do blood work too.

mank32

if

- I have fibromyalgia and arthritis.

then

- I don't have a strenuous or intense workout routine.

is a problem. nothing has ever impacted my energy or quality of sleep like strenuous exercise. helps with the aching, too.

AmandaMaitland

has your doctor approved the amounts you are taking of the supplements? Go talk to your doctor. After being tired for several years and my doctor just changing around the dosage of my anti-depressant, I switched doctors and she actually listened to me and made things happen. I just found out I have mild sleep apnea so that is why I am tired! Thanks to her I got tested. Definitely do blood work too.

My physician recommended these amounts. I haven't been taking this higher dosage long. Less than a month. After taking the suggested doses for so long, and no change, that's when I was told to try taking a little more. I'm glad you got your issue resolved though! That's partially why I'm nervous about doctors and such!

VeryKatie

Pregnant women also experience something similar..

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

That kind of bone crushing fatigue is an unfortunate symptom of fibromyalgia, and the other side of fibro: chronic fatigue syndrome.

That said, your diary is closed. Are you eating enough?

AmandaMaitland

if

- I have fibromyalgia and arthritis.

then

- I don't have a strenuous or intense workout routine.

is a problem. nothing has ever impacted my energy or quality of sleep like strenuous exercise. helps with the aching, too.

I did have a strenuous/intense exercise routine for years! And I loved it ! Things just progressively got worse, and I haven't been able to do that anymore.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

I also suffer from fibromyalgia, so I know how you feel. A few years ago, I was in a similar situation to yourself, if I had to go out anywhere, even getting a lift to the supermarket, doing my shopping and getting a lift back, I would have to sleep for several hours to recover. I couldn't work, i slept A LOT, and i was exhausted all the time. The doctors kept telling me i needed to exercise more - i just wanted to laugh in their faces!!

Then a doctor one day told me i would just get worse and worse unless i did something about it. She told me to try to stop sleeping in the day, and to go for a short walk every day. Even if it was 1 minute out and 1 minute back. Then to increase the time i walked every couple of days. And eventually, I got up to a 20 min walk every day. Which I really enjoyed, and found that the fresh air woke me up a little, and the exercisae and the not sleeping in the day helped me to sleep a little better at night..

I began to think about what other exercise I could do and I began to swim, I did workouts at home from DVD's etc, and gradually i have increased until I now walk 1 hour to work (i now work part time!) once or twice a week, i go running a couple of times a week, and i lift weights - not heavy by some peoples standards Im sure, but heavy by mine!

I think what i am trying to say is that exercise really does help - you have to push through at first, because it is really hard to motivate yourself when you are tired, but it does get better. Of course, I still have bad days, days when i am in pain, or when i am absolutely exhausted, and you have to decide to rest those days, but you have to be honest with yourself, and try not to just use feeling a bit tired as an excuse - and it is hard sometimes, but gradually you find yourself improving, and that helps.

Sorry, bit of an essay! Send a friend request if you would like.

I'm very happy that exercising is helping you! However it's opposite or me. Exercising always made me even more tired. I always pushed myself to do it because I knew I needed it. Even with arthritis, I still pushed myself to run... until I did a 10k last year, and it took a whole week for my body to feel normal. The pain was miserably unbearable from my joints to every single muscle in my body. Walking afterwards... was something I didn't even want to think about! I turned to walking and swimming more and more.. but still, it doesn't bring about any energy or relief. I just make myself because I know I need to!

As far as normal routine, I work a sedentary job as a secretary. Nothing stressful. Still sleep is all I think about, and when I get home, sitting on the couch or laying in bed is all I feel like doing.

Keep trying. I used to be like that but once I started lifting it actually did start to help instead of making me feel worse. Are you doing any kind of stretching? Even something mild like beginning yoga or pilates can help.

AmandaMaitland

That kind of bone crushing fatigue is an unfortunate symptom of fibromyalgia, and the other side of fibro: chronic fatigue syndrome.

That said, your diary is closed. Are you eating enough?

Lately, my calories range daily, anywhere from 600-1400. Depends on how hungry I am, and if I worked out or not. I was about 40lbs heavier when I was diagnosed with it, so I can imagine how much I was eating then! Now however, with my workouts being less intense and having a sedentary job, I don't really eat as much. Earlier this year I did try really upping my calories and adding weights... 1700-1800 calorie range... still no change in anything though. :brokenheart:

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

That kind of bone crushing fatigue is an unfortunate symptom of fibromyalgia, and the other side of fibro: chronic fatigue syndrome.

That said, your diary is closed. Are you eating enough?

Lately, my calories range daily, anywhere from 600-1400. Depends on how hungry I am, and if I worked out or not. I was about 40lbs heavier when I was diagnosed with it, so I can imagine how much I was eating then! Now however, with my workouts being less intense and having a sedentary job, I don't really eat as much. Earlier this year I did try really upping my calories and adding weights... 1700-1800 calorie range... still no change in anything though. :brokenheart:

You need to be eating more. Are you having trouble with your appetite? It can quickly become a vicious cycle of eating less, being more exhausted and not feeling like eating, so eating even less, and so on.

MsBetteDavis

I haven't read all of the comments so I'm not sure if it's mentioned here, but you should also have both your iron and ferritin levels tested.

There is a disease called haemochromatosis (I have it) and it's very common. About 1 in every 200-300 people have it (although rarely anyone knows about it). It presents itself in a similar manner to being anemic (the symptoms are generally constant fatigue (at my worst I could fall asleep ALL the time and if no one woke me up on the weekends I could sleep until 2:00 pm easily), body pains (sort of like an arthritic feeling), you might feel sort of "drunk" in the head, fogginess, anxiety, etc. - although not everyone experiences all of those symptoms, for me it was just I was constantly fatigued and I felt foggy headed a lot, and there are other symptoms that I haven't mentioned).

What haemochromatosis does is it takes the iron from your blood stream and deposits it around your organs. When it's left untreated for long periods of time it can become quite serious. So have your doctor test for that. And at the same time, that would rule out/in anemia.

I did see one post before I responded about getting your thyroid tested. I would suggest that as well.

Timshel_

Slight depression can do that.