Constantly tired?

taiyola
taiyola Posts: 964 Member
edited September 25 in Food and Nutrition
It seems no matter how little or how much I sleep for, I'm constantly tired. I've been awake for 2 hours, and I could quite happily go back to bed! I'm always like this. I stayed in bed an extra hour and a half this morning because I couldn't get up and kept falling back asleep and sleeping through my alarm. Some nights I'm sleeping for 5-7 hours, and others for 9-10. Once a week or so I probably end up sleeping for a good 12 hours!

I need to get ready and walk my dog on the field, and then to the supermarket and back. I have zero energy. He keeps looking at me wondering when we're going :laugh:

Does anyone else get this?

I was prescribed Ferrous Sulphate (Iron) tablets about 6 years ago, so I've started taking them again regularly. How long before I should realise whether it's Anaemia, my sleeping pattern, or something else? :indifferent:

Replies

  • havingitall
    havingitall Posts: 3,728 Member
    I was going to ask you if your iron was low when I started reading this. Give yourself a couple of weeks with the ferrous sulphate and see how that goes. Make sure that you don't take it with food.
  • HoopFire5602
    HoopFire5602 Posts: 423 Member
    It probably is anemia, hon. I have the same problem. I stop taking them for awhile and I started to get exhausted. I blamed it on exercise, but it was the pills. take at least one a day...I started them again and I sleep a lot better.Have you had you TOM recently? That is a huge iron depleter.
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    DON'T take it with food? I'm taking it after a meal with a glass of water. Having it on an empty stomach in the past has given me severe stomach cramp where it led me to not being able to sleep?
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    It probably is anemia, hon. I have the same problem. I stop taking them for awhile and I started to get exhausted. I blamed it on exercise, but it was the pills. take at least one a day...I started them again and I sleep a lot better.Have you had you TOM recently? That is a huge iron depleter.

    I have TOM right now, but I'm honestly like this alllll the time. I blamed it on my varied sleep pattern before, but even during periods where I've gone to bed at the same time etc, I've been the same. I was advised for 600mg a day (3 tabs) before, so I'm trying that.
  • akaMrsmojo
    akaMrsmojo Posts: 762 Member
    I was tired all the time and it was a food allergy. Sometimes it is not always the simplest thing. I would go back to the doctor and insist on more tests.
  • gentlebreeze2
    gentlebreeze2 Posts: 450 Member
    Change your settings in your food diary to include iron... then you don't have to guess if you're getting enough or not. I did that and then looked at a 3 week period...every day but one or two I was only getting half of what was recommended. That explained why I was weak and dizzy a lot. Since I've upped my iron, I haven't done the dizzy and weak thing... but I'm still catching up on my sleep. I didn't want to take a suppliment, so I am eating a cereal that is fortified with iron. Good luck.
  • boobee32
    boobee32 Posts: 450 Member
    I am the same way lately...but my iron is not low....so I dont know what to tell ya. I have started taking a multivitamin.
  • JulieThielen
    JulieThielen Posts: 14 Member
    I take my iron at night. My doctor prescribed the slow release and I am doing much better since switching to taking it right before bed.
  • Meganne1982
    Meganne1982 Posts: 451
    I take B vitamins to help boost my energy- after taking them regularly for about a week or two I definitely noticed the difference :)
  • Melis25Fit
    Melis25Fit Posts: 811 Member
    Try doing a work out right away in the morning. I used to feel constantly tired as well, but after I switched to morning workouts, I am not so tired throughout the day....
  • rachmaree
    rachmaree Posts: 782 Member
    Yes! I am tired all the time, and I sleep around 8 hours a night. I do wake up at least once or twice per night (usually for the bathroom) but I always feel tired. My husband jokes that I am like a bear, because I need to sleep so much. I could easily sleep 10-12 hours per day.
    I have heard that even if you go to bed at a different hour, waking up at the same time every day is important.
    I am pretty healthy- exercise 5-6 times per week, don't eat much rubbish-y food, don't smoke or drink, but I am exhausted every day...I thought I might try vitamin B tablets as a friend has said they give her more energy. It is something you could ask a doctor or dietician on your next visit?
  • Zeromilediet
    Zeromilediet Posts: 787 Member
    What are you eating?

    I used to have very low iron blood and was prescribed Fer-In-Sol (a liquid form of the ferrous sulfate taken on empty stomach with fruit juice). Don't need it anymore now that I'm paying attention to diet. However there are all kinds of metabolic reasons for fatigue that you might consider (dietary intolerances, hormone imbalance, nutritional deficiencies etc)
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    I know my doctor would suggest a blood test, but I've never had one and refuse to have one. I went from 1995 - 2010 without having any injections! A few years back when my old doctor prescribed it was because I was going dizzy a lot so he said to give them a go for a couple of weeks. Since then I've taken them on and off. I usually get leg pains when I haven't had them for a while, so then I take one or two and repeat...

    I take a multivitamin every day and have done for a few years now. It's only when I run out and don't take it for a few days that I get ill.

    I could try the night time thing I guess, but all 3 at once seems a bit odd?
  • Schuky01
    Schuky01 Posts: 33 Member
    You may also want to go to the Dr. and get your thyroid checked. If you suffer from hypothyroidism that could make you tired.
  • 65kar52
    65kar52 Posts: 23
    Was told during pregnancy to take two iron tablets which I took together in the morning but doc noticed no difference in iron levels after two weeks and told me I was supposed to take them separately - 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening otherwise I might as well just be taking 1.
    Also, I think taking them with orange juice helps as Vit C helps body to absorb iron (open to correction on that but I think I read that somewhere before).
  • coxy1968
    coxy1968 Posts: 77
    It might be worth asking your doctor to check your Thyroid levels as being very tired is a sympton of under active thyroid, a simple blood test will let them know.
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    Yes! I am tired all the time, and I sleep around 8 hours a night. I do wake up at least once or twice per night (usually for the bathroom) but I always feel tired. My husband jokes that I am like a bear, because I need to sleep so much. I could easily sleep 10-12 hours per day.
    I have heard that even if you go to bed at a different hour, waking up at the same time every day is important.
    I am pretty healthy- exercise 5-6 times per week, don't eat much rubbish-y food, don't smoke or drink, but I am exhausted every day...I thought I might try vitamin B tablets as a friend has said they give her more energy. It is something you could ask a doctor or dietician on your next visit?

    This is me! It's impossible for me to get up at the same time daily though. On my days off work I get up around 10am-1pm depending on what time I go to bed, and on my nights at work I'm going to bed at 5 or 6am! So I can't really get up at the same time every day, but I try and make sure I get enough sleep if I can. Just such a struggle to get out of bed! The more I sleep, the more tired I seem to get though!! I'm in the UK, but my doctor would only suggest a blood test, and when I say no, he'll no doubt say there's nothing he can do and to just sleep at the same times every day. Like I said though, when I wasn't working and would sleep at similar times every day, I was still the same :ohwell:
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    Try doing a work out right away in the morning. I used to feel constantly tired as well, but after I switched to morning workouts, I am not so tired throughout the day....

    Lol, I can barely open my mouth in the mornings, never mind work out! :laugh:
  • sheenanigan
    sheenanigan Posts: 11 Member
    I was the same, saw my doc and had blood tests which showed Vitamin B12 deficiency (I am vegetarian and this is quite common). I was prescribed B12 injections of which I've had one but can already see a slight change. Was due for my second on Wednesday but forgot cos my son was sick so going tomorrow. I've heard great thing about the injections but if you don't like them you can have daily tablets instead - I just know I'd forget so chose this option.

    Worth checking out. Good luck x
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    What are you eating?

    I used to have very low iron blood and was prescribed Fer-In-Sol (a liquid form of the ferrous sulfate taken on empty stomach with fruit juice). Don't need it anymore now that I'm paying attention to diet. However there are all kinds of metabolic reasons for fatigue that you might consider (dietary intolerances, hormone imbalance, nutritional deficiencies etc)

    I'm vegetarian, although I eat fish about 5 times a year. I'm trying to eat less junk and more healthy foods. I drink 8-14 glasses of water a day, take a multivitamin, 2-3 iron tablets now, and try and eat protein, carbs and fruit/veg/salad with every meal. Also exercise every day.
  • bugnbeansmom
    bugnbeansmom Posts: 292 Member
    You may also want to go to the Dr. and get your thyroid checked. If you suffer from hypothyroidism that could make you tired.

    I was going to suggest the same thing. When I get tired all of the time I know it is time to go have my levels checked because something is off. Even if you think it is your iron, just get the blood test. Your body is telling you it needs something. Besides pregnancy, I have never been as tired as I am when my thyroid is requiring my attention.
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    I was the same, saw my doc and had blood tests which showed Vitamin B12 deficiency (I am vegetarian and this is quite common). I was prescribed B12 injections of which I've had one but can already see a slight change. Was due for my second on Wednesday but forgot cos my son was sick so going tomorrow. I've heard great thing about the injections but if you don't like them you can have daily tablets instead - I just know I'd forget so chose this option.

    Worth checking out. Good luck x
    Ooh. Well there is 40% B12 of RDA in my multivitamin already, so could it still be that?
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    You may also want to go to the Dr. and get your thyroid checked. If you suffer from hypothyroidism that could make you tired.

    I was going to suggest the same thing. When I get tired all of the time I know it is time to go have my levels checked because something is off. Even if you think it is your iron, just get the blood test. Your body is telling you it needs something. Besides pregnancy, I have never been as tired as I am when my thyroid is requiring my attention.

    Is there no other way they can test for Thyroid, apart from a blood test? :noway:
  • bugnbeansmom
    bugnbeansmom Posts: 292 Member
    There are a few other signs and symptoms to look for but function is determined by simple are sample. Other symptoms: weight gain (or working hard and not losing), hair loss, depression, mood swings. Do you have any lumps on the base of your neck in the throat area? These can all be present or just one. Do you have a fear of needles?
  • gentlebreeze2
    gentlebreeze2 Posts: 450 Member
    When they messed up my thyroid I couldn't sleep for more than an hour at a time, and couldn't stay awake during the day. BUT the really big issue for me still... ice cold hands and feet. Dry skin can be an issue too. Look up common syptoms on the internet and it will give you a bigger list.

    I still say to change your diary settings to include iron... that's something you can do right now, without a blood test. The other things involving a doctor are good, but not instant like changing your settings.
  • NOLA_Meg
    NOLA_Meg Posts: 194 Member
    Why don't you want to have a blood test?
  • amberpaigee
    amberpaigee Posts: 74
    I feel your pain lovely! I feel tired ALL the time too and it's because I'm veggie/vegan and need my B12! I would suggest just keep taking your iron tablets and make sure you take in enough Vitamin C each day (leafy greens, blackcurrants and strawberries) because it helps the absorption of iron into the blood!!!

    If it doesn't help it might be worth seeing the doctor? Although I am guessing it's because of your sleeping pattern (which can't be helped!) Keep on with the healthy eating, add in your Vitamin C and hopefully it will all pay off eventually and you will have more energy!

    :flowerforyou:

    EDIT TO ADD: Here's a link for foods rich in Vitamin C!
    http://www.weightlossforall.com/foods-rich-vitamin-c.htm
  • JillyCornwall
    JillyCornwall Posts: 376 Member
    I know my doctor would suggest a blood test, but I've never had one and refuse to have one. I went from 1995 - 2010 without having any injections! A few years back when my old doctor prescribed it was because I was going dizzy a lot so he said to give them a go for a couple of weeks. Since then I've taken them on and off. I usually get leg pains when I haven't had them for a while, so then I take one or two and repeat...

    I take a multivitamin every day and have done for a few years now. It's only when I run out and don't take it for a few days that I get ill.

    I could try the night time thing I guess, but all 3 at once seems a bit odd?

    Don't let a needle phobia stop you from having vital blood tests....even if they hurt...which actually they don't...even if they did....it can hurt a lot more if you end up really sick..get to the Doctor and get some tests done...yoou can do it..and you should....
  • ramseyrose
    ramseyrose Posts: 421 Member
    I dont know if anyone else has said this but you need to get your thyroid checked out too. Anaemia will also cause breathlessness. Some days I can feel exhausted, but not all the time. You really need to see a doctor to get evrything checked out
  • lois2324
    lois2324 Posts: 20
    dont take all 3 at ounce ill need the slow relaese ones,
    im exactly the same as you, i can get up have breakfast and want to go back to bed, i never feel refreshed when i wake- always tired! im going to start taking iron and b vit i think as well as the multivit i take, i fiind that being as active as possible does help its just such a huge effort,
    x
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