Advice needed on recovering from exhaustion from OT

saschka7

I am looking for some advice because I really don’t know what to do. I have already been to the doctor and had a comprehensive blood test done which ruled out any problems with low iron, blood sugar issues, and my thyroid (which is normally underactive and for which I have been taking medication for several years) is not out of whack.

Basically, I am suffering from severe exhaustion (I am not in pain so I’m ruling out Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) from overwork over the last month and my life being out of balance. I thought getting my life back to normal in the last week would help, but I am not making much progress in how I feel physically.

Three weeks ago at the start of Hurricane Sandy, I was required to work mandatory overtime since I work for a utility company. I worked 12 days in a row and had to call off the 13th day due to crippling and debilitating exhaustion. The first 7 days I worked 82 hours. Days 8-12, I worked 54. I also have a commute time of about an hour per day. Obviously, I had no time to work out since I was sleeping if I wasn’t driving or working.

Before this hit, I was eating healthy, working out 5-6 times a week and for the first time in my life, felt strong and healthy. Every time one of these weather events happens (about twice a year), I face a setback but this was by far the worst. I did manage this time to stay within my nutrition goals for the most part and not resort to fast food which I knew would make me feel worse.
The day I called off, I slept 30 out of the first 36 hours and then slept 12 hours the following night. When I went back to work the following day, I felt a little better but have been progressively feeling worse since, even with this weekend off.

I feel so run down and tired. I went to the doctor on day# 14 and unfortunately, there is no medical qualitative test for exhaustion so he could not authorize FMLA. Unfortunately, for the past week I have been going to bed earlier and earlier because I am so exhausted during the day but when I wake up, I do not feel rested. I am trying to keep my caffeine at a minimum throughout the day (I’ve always drank 2 cups of coffee in the morning and then no more) but I’ve been struggling so badly with trying to do my job that I’ve been resorting to strong black tea just to get me through.

I know in theory I should limit my caffeine and force myself to stay up later to limit my time in bed (right now I’m averaging 11-12 hours in bed but I wake up several times a night). Getting enough rest isn’t the solution: I’m spending too much time in bed trying to rest and it’s making it worse but I just can’t keep my eyes open past 7:15 PM.

I know that when I was exercising, I would sleep so much better. However, I tried to work out yesterday for the first time in several weeks and couldn’t manage what I had been doing before the interruption. I just felt so tired and run down and weak.

This is all causing a circuitous snowball effect. I just want to stop feeling weak and tired and irritable and get back to how I was—QUICKLY.

Has anyone been through this before? What helped you? Thanks!

sixpacklady

I am so sorry to hear what is happening to you. All the extra exhaustion and working long hours must have wreaked havoc on on body and immune system. I think you should give it some time and take it easy.

Take immune strengthening stuff/tea etc. Slowly resume your activity with some gentle walks.

Not sure you saw an endocrinologist , if not, see an endocrinologist for your thyroid and test for Free T3, Free T4 also along with TSH. All the stress that you went through can severely affect your thyroid.

It must be a combination of all these factors that is causing you this extreme exhaustion.

I am also dealing with a upper respiratory infection and cough and haven't been able to exercise for 3 weeks now. I am just taking it easy and let the body recover, even though I am missing my workouts.

Our bodies are wonderful things and I believe if we feed it right (clean eating - no processed junk) and give the necessary support it will recover.

Get well soon.:flowerforyou:

anemoneprose

I haven't had this experience, but what about eating at maintenance, just for a while? And getting a 2nd opinion, what you're describing can't be right. I'm not in the States so don't know the implications of a diagnosis related to stress (anxiety, depression), but if that would get you time off, maybe it's an idea (after fully exploring all physical possibilities)?

I would imagine coworkers might have similar experiences - do they? Is there an opportunity to address how your company handles scheduling/staffing around these events? Sounds like you're exposed to stresses similar to those faced by emergency responders. If your employer doesn't have anything in place to help you and your colleagues cope (eg assistance with stress management), they should