Ladie Help? TOM=Fatigue

GCPgirl

Ladies, I need your help...
Whenever TOM comes along I have one week of very low energy and very high fatigue. It is so bad that I don't exercise.
Usually I get hom from work, take the dog out, cook dinner, wake my boyfriend up so he could have dinner with me (he works a midnight shift), then one hour after dinner I workout.
This week I did the same but find my self feeling so fatigued that I even dozed off before I had a chance to exercise. Last night I fell asleep at 9PM!!

Is it low iron? Should I take an iron supplement in addition to my multivitamin?

Years ago my doctor tested me for chronic fatigue and said I tested positive for Epstein Barr and he said there is nothing I could do. I thought that was BS. (I don't go to that doctor anymore)

I will be asking my gyno what he thinks.....have any of you gone through that? What did you do?

Loko_Ino

I bet the search button woulda helped with this question regarding TOM..he seems to be a popular dude on here for some reason.

Lstrhi

i'm going through the same thing right now, but i make sure to do at least a little walking or some yoga. it actually makes the cramps and fatigue better if you get movin"

NaturalinCO

This is a BIG problem for me I am convinced I could lose an extra 2 lbs a month without TOM business. Part of my problem, though, is low iron. I have to take a supplement every day or the TOM biz is exponentially worse. Instead of expect my body to do what it simply cannot, I do lighter, easier workouts. If I know I won't be able to exercise because I'm just WIPED, I am sure to manage my eating that day. It really does suck - big time. But I would definitely have your dr check it out. Low iron is my problem, but maybe they can help you with whatever is going on with you. Good luck!!

UrbanRunner81

If you are tired exercise anyway. You feel more energized afterward. Exercise helps with cramps, too. I always feel better after exercising when tom is here.

mamitosami

You are about the same age as me, and I feel exactly as you describe. I always thought there was something wrong with me, but I honestly think it's just part of my cycle now. Now I carefully track my cycle so there are no surprises. There that's week where no food satisfies me and I could eat my own arm! Then there's the week where I could curl up into a ball and fall asleep for the entire week! The tired week I still go to the gym even though I don't feel like working out and usually have a great workout anyway. It's literally 5 workouts of me dragging my sorry *kitten* to the gym, and I usually do all 5 workouts, but every once in a while I end up at the library or cafe instead!

I say track your cycle carefully; knowledge of your cycle really helps you to know that it's just normal hormones and their fluctuations. If you are really tired though, see your doc. I find that I have high anxiety 4 days before TOM and cannot sleep, so that doesn't help the fatigue either. At least when I look at the calendar, I then know that I will get through it in 4 or 5 days.

Hope this sheds a little light.

CallieDerenthal

the fatigue is generally due to the lower estrogen levels at the TOM. avoid things like sugar and caffeine, get plenty of rest, eat leafy greens, and exercise (even if it's just a little). also, i try to reduce my sodium intake and increase my water. i find that the discomfort from bloat in addition to the fatigue make the thought of getting off my butt almost unbearable! hope this helps

Jacole18

My sister has Epstein Barr and she gets sooooo fatigued and tired during her spells. Her doctor also told her that there is no "cure" per say....but your body does adjust to it. If you feel weak and tired, take a break...your body is asking for it. Just exercise and eat right MOST of the time, not ALL the time.
Good luck

Hellbent_Heidi

Eat a banana (your body craves potassium during this time), pop some ibuprofin and GO WORK OUT! If you let it win every month, then it controls your life. I refused to cater to it the last couple of months, and forced myself to work out every day that week, and it really, really helped. My cravings were weaker, cramps were lighter, and I had more energy than I usually. You can't stop it from coming (well...unless you want to be pregnant or have invasive unnecessary surgery), so its something you have to gain the upper hand over - don't let it control you! :drinker:

wareagle8706

I don't think anyone on here should give advice about whether to take an Iron supplement. That's definitely a discussion for your doctor, you should be tested for anemia to know if you should take such a serious supplement (overdose could cause problems).

I think all women have this same issue, just some more severe than others. It sounds like yours is pretty severe. If you don't feel like you can do anything with any intensity, trying getting up and cleaning the house, take the dog for a long walk, vacuum while doing lunges, stretch, anything that gets you moving a little bit might help you wake up. One thing that really helps me is putting on my tennis shoes. I know that sounds really simple but if I feel completely drained with no motivation to do anything but sit on my butt and watch tv.... if I put on my tennis shoes I feel a burst of energy all of a sudden, like my body is getting excited that it's about to get to be active. Sounds silly but it helps me...

MJHdG

Ask your Doc about iron, for me food works better (liver), also ask about prime rose oil, it helps with your body talking to itself properly (in med words, supplement hormon friendly micro nutrients) and also try this 5 min all body routine in the morning before jumping in the shower: 10 jumping kacks, 10 air qsuats, 10 push ups, 10 sit ups and 10 tricep dips (sit on a surface, plant your arms and moove your tush of the edge dip down and drive up by using your triceps). It heklps me start my day with more energy and feel less guilty about draging my feet in the evening.
Good Luck

JennC831

I take B12 supplements (energy metabolism) before workouts or after lunch when I'm feeling sleepy....

sweetpunani

http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/girls/menstrual_problems.html

Everything you need to know about your period is listed above. I'm surprised you've been alive this long and haven't figured it out yet ;P

Mariposa187

i have to take an iron supplement during TOM b/c im anemic but i still have low energy during TOM as well... i usually do the five hour energys or eat sugary things... not much help sorry Hope you find something!

GCPgirl

Thanks for all the tips.
I walk a half mile to work from the train and back at the end of the day instead of taking the company provided shuttle just to give me a little extra energy.

I never really had anyTOM side effects before other than menstrual migraines that started a couple years ago...but I could get through those.

Sublimely_Self_Righteousreused

catherine4211

http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/girls/menstrual_problems.html

Everything you need to know about your period is listed above. I'm surprised you've been alive this long and haven't figured it out yet ;P

OH MY GOSH - YOU ACTUALLY SAID THE WORD...........PERIOD...................I am so impressed with you

Sidesteal

<---- I don't know who this Tom guy is but if I ever meet him I'll break his jaw.

reepobob

THAT is hilarious...Mike REALLY needs to create a TOM thread section...

Victoriav99

I drink some coffee or sugar free redbull and make myself go. Even if its for 30 minutes .. I burn much less calories, but at least I went. That's how I feel.

it_be_asin

I used to have this problem, but iron supplementation has stopped this entirely for me. I am just as strong in my period now as at any other time of the month and just as energetic. As a bonus, my period cravings are now also non existant.

Peque1130deleted

I have the same issue...super tired and worn out. When I do workout, even if its the smae workout and same amount of time, I burn WAAAAY less calories, sure as hell doesnt help with the motivation! Now, with the new BC I am on, it seems like it's a twice a month deal..not fun...at all!

mznisaelaine

Easy solution = Just work though TOM.... TOM and its "side effects" are just mental.....Just do the opposite. Find the energy! WOrkout, take a walk, go shopping, etc. I dont let this so called TOM guy steal my energy. Show Him whose boss

Megan2Project

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/impact-of-the-menstrual-cycle-on-determinants-of-energy-intake-reseach-review.html

I found this and it seems very interesting. May explain a few things