Tired all the time with no energy at 23 years old!

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So I am looking for maybe some insight into what could be going on with me. I've been fighting with extreme tiredness for about 2 years now....for a long time I made excuses, oh it must be my job, I must be fighting a cold etc, etc. So finally when my eyes started looking like I slept an hour each night (they are so puffy and sore) I decided enough was enough and went to my doctor. My thyroid and iron test came back normal but I was told that I needed to exercise more or I could be tired because of my natural red hair...redheads need more sleep?

I have been a full time athlete my entire life and I love working out but for the past few years I haven't had the energy to work out most days and when I do, it doesn't really seem to make a difference. I have been in 2 different jobs since and am now back in school, so the whole job thing is ruled out. I get at least 8 hours of sleep a night, if not more and find it painful to get out of bed in the morning because I am sooo tired. It feels like I am fighting off a cold everyday, I should have way more energy for being 23 years old! It doesn't matter if I get 6 hours of sleep or 11, I still feel the same. I take a multivitamin and calcium/vitamin D everyday and eat relatively healthy.

This is so frustrating for me because I just want to sleep all the time...and I've never felt like this before in my life. I'm missing out on so much and miss feeling rested! I am wondering if anyone has dealt with this before or knows of a specialist doctor that I could get in touch with that might be able to help?
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Replies

  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
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    This doesn't sound normal at all. And I have never heard that redheads need more sleep. I would get another opinion for sure. Maybe a nutritionist could help figure out if there is anything deficient in your diet. But it sounds like there may be some other underlying cause.
  • andy2486
    andy2486 Posts: 93 Member
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    I felt the same way every day and then I started working out almost daily and eating better. Sometimes when I feel like I want to skip the gym, I push myself to go anyways. I always feel more awake after a good work out. Have you tried pushing yourself to go for a walk, or go to the gym? Try doing some sort of exercise every day this week and see how you feel. Hope you feel energized soon! :)
  • Cbcarter08
    Cbcarter08 Posts: 33 Member
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    Bump
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
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    You NEED to see a doctor. There are any number of diseases, conditions or syndromes that can cause this.
  • YukonJoy
    YukonJoy Posts: 1,279 Member
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    You NEED to see a doctor. There are any number of diseases, conditions or syndromes that can cause this.

    You obviously did not bother to read anything other than the title to this thread
  • clarkeje1
    clarkeje1 Posts: 1,634 Member
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    you could have chronic fatigue syndrome. look it up.
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
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    Definitely see a doctor. If your doctor can't give you a good explanation, time to find a new doctor.
  • y_53kg
    y_53kg Posts: 35
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    To me, this doesn't sounds really normal to be honest..
    Take another doctor's opinion maybe?
    It could be nothing but you must have this checked by a professional..
    The internet will not give you a precise answers..

    Hope everything turns out well<3
  • ajfrench
    ajfrench Posts: 323 Member
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    I was having the same problem and a doctor tested me for sleep apnea. Sure enough, I have it. I hadn't been sleeping well for so long I had forgotten what it was like to actually sleep for more than 30 minutes at a time!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,617 Member
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    So I am looking for maybe some insight into what could be going on with me. I've been fighting with extreme tiredness for about 2 years now....for a long time I made excuses, oh it must be my job, I must be fighting a cold etc, etc. So finally when my eyes started looking like I slept an hour each night (they are so puffy and sore) I decided enough was enough and went to my doctor. My thyroid and iron test came back normal but I was told that I needed to exercise more or I could be tired because of my natural red hair...redheads need more sleep?

    I have been a full time athlete my entire life and I love working out but for the past few years I haven't had the energy to work out most days and when I do, it doesn't really seem to make a difference. I have been in 2 different jobs since and am now back in school, so the whole job thing is ruled out. I get at least 8 hours of sleep a night, if not more and find it painful to get out of bed in the morning because I am sooo tired. It feels like I am fighting off a cold everyday, I should have way more energy for being 23 years old! It doesn't matter if I get 6 hours of sleep or 11, I still feel the same. I take a multivitamin and calcium/vitamin D everyday and eat relatively healthy.

    This is so frustrating for me because I just want to sleep all the time...and I've never felt like this before in my life. I'm missing out on so much and miss feeling rested! I am wondering if anyone has dealt with this before or knows of a specialist doctor that I could get in touch with that might be able to help?
    Could be something the doctor missed. If you've never felt like this before, then obviously something going on. Maybe see a specialist.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • BeautyFromPain
    BeautyFromPain Posts: 4,952 Member
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    bump! i'm 19 and feel the same way :(
  • krisrpaz
    krisrpaz Posts: 266 Member
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    you could have chronic fatigue syndrome. look it up.

    I was thinking this or Fibromyalgia.
  • Runner_mick
    Runner_mick Posts: 115 Member
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    You need to see a doctor. I am the same way! I thought I was depressed or something but come to find out there was a medical reason why. Go see a doctor is my advice. Have him check your liver enzymes as well.
  • Saffyra
    Saffyra Posts: 607 Member
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    See if there's a sleep clinic in your area and head in there. If its not depression related and a doctor has ruled out serious genetic diseases, it could be that you actually aren't sleeping as well as you think.

    My husband felt like you say you do for years, finally went into a sleep clinic and it turned out he had sleep apnea.

    Its worth a try to feel better!
  • silvergurl518
    silvergurl518 Posts: 4,123 Member
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    you could have chronic fatigue syndrome. look it up.

    i know you saw a doc and lots of your levels are normal, but i would get a second opinion in exploring the above...
  • Panda86
    Panda86 Posts: 873
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    See a doctor and have them do blood work to see if you are anemic. I have struggled with anemia off and on my entire life (I was a super picky eater as a kid, I am always anemic when I am pregnant, became SUPER anemic after my second miscarriage). The symptoms you are describing sound very similar to how i feel when my iron levels are low. So definitely see a doctor, and they can prescribe you an iron supplement that should help.
  • Apazman
    Apazman Posts: 494 Member
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    You have mono, depression and IBS... go see a doctor!
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
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    I'm guessing

    1) sleep apnea
    2) a parasite
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
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    You NEED to see a doctor. There are any number of diseases, conditions or syndromes that can cause this.

    You obviously did not bother to read anything other than the title to this thread

    Actually I did. I suppose I should have said "another" or "a real" doctor. I find it hard ot believe that any certified doctor would say this is all due to red hair, which is complete nonsense. And if s/he did then I'd report them.
  • G30Grrl
    G30Grrl Posts: 377 Member
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    Aside from the previously mentioned sleep apnea, two other possibilities come to mind just off the top of my head. One is Chronic fatigue syndrome. The other is Celiac's (aka Celiac's Sprue), which often results in a misdiagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

    And I agree with the advice to get a second opinion.