Help with fatigue (besides sleep, obviously)

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Verity1111
Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
edited May 2017 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm tired 24/7. I am trying to push myself and I force myself to move more, exercise, etc, but it is so painful and exhausting beyond what is normal. I've had this issue for a few years, particularly since my first pregnancy (2010). Doctor isn't sure what's wrong apart from low vitamin D which I can't seem to get up to a very good level. I was drinking Monster almost every day, but it's pretty high in calories and doesn't last that long. What do you do for fatigue? I literally can not move around for more than 15 minutes without feeling like I'll pass out and I'm only 180lbs. I was even worse when I was 225, but I still get dizzy spells and other issues very easily... I was napping sometimes, but I actually find that sometimes if I nap I feel even more tired after. I have 3 kids, 2 with special needs, 2 of which are in different schools and I am in college full time (off for the summer) plus trying to lose weight so I really need my energy. Plus my house is way out of hand and I need to get rid of a lot but it's so physically painful and I end up getting so fuzzy (mentally, forgetting things, etc if I push myself) and dizzy as well. I have random days where I get spurts of energy and get a lot done, but they are few and far between.
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Replies

  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
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    I'd continue to work with your doctor on this. Low Vitamin D levels can be crushing and since you mentioned that being unresolved that's the first thing I'd look into.
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
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    NorthCascades wrote: »
    This is a "work with your doctor" kind of problem.

    I can't right now (no insurance for a while). But I will be. Just looking for short term pick me ups. Certain vitamins that might help besides vitamin D that I already know I need/take. Or something? Food substance? IDK there has to be something. Well I hope because Im out of ideas.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,442 Member
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    There is zero calorie Monster. Just sayin'. ;)
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
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    DopeItUp wrote: »
    I'd continue to work with your doctor on this. Low Vitamin D levels can be crushing and since you mentioned that being unresolved that's the first thing I'd look into.

    Yes my level was in the single digits the first time they found out... I was pregnant and she said she'd been working with pregnancy/as a midwife for over a decade and it was the worst she'd seen. Even when I got it "up" it was maybe 12 (on a scale where Im told normal goes 30 - 100)
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,442 Member
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    https://draxe.com/top-10-vitamin-d-rich-foods/

  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,613 Member
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    You can take a higher dose vit d supplement, and a b complex might help as well.
  • thingofstuff
    thingofstuff Posts: 93 Member
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    Have you had your hemoglobin/iron checked? I was struggling with extreme fatigue and chronic headaches, and it turns out I was severely iron deficient. I do feel like I have a lot more energy after a month of iron supplements and working on incorporating more iron-rich foods into my diet. I don't wake up in the morning wanting to curl up and cry with fatigue anymore! I have to take the supplement in the morning every day for 3 months then get my hemoglobin checked again in the end of June.

    Good luck, it's hard balancing so much and taking care of yourself.
  • anaxmann
    anaxmann Posts: 103 Member
    edited May 2017
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    I agree that you should try to work with your doctor when you can afford it.

    That said, food sensitivities can cause fatigue. This is anecdotal of course, but I used to have fatigue issues, sleeping over nine hours every night and still feeling tired all day and not being able to concentrate. I did an elimination diet (where you cut out the most common food sensitivities and add them back in one at a time, this is not a calorie deficit diet) and found that wheat was kicking my butt. I have cut wheat out of my diet and am doing much better (sleeping about 7.5 hours a night and not feeling tired).

    A side note: caffeine may be interfering with your quality of sleep. Some people are sensitive to that.
  • aylajane
    aylajane Posts: 979 Member
    edited May 2017
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    Low vitamin D can lead to low testosterone, which even in women is bad for energy and hormones (i.e. period issues, achy muscles, exhaustion, etc). Get your vitamin D in order and start lifting weights (boosts testosterone more than cardio) - even if its just lifting a water jug to start with. You can do it sitting down. Just work on progressive muscle related exercises (start with a water jug 1/4 full, when easy, fill it 1/2... when easy 3/4 etc).Work up to doing squats by simply standing from a chair numerous times using only your leg muscles (get to where you can do it without leaning on the chair). When you get good at that, try pretending to sit down but right before your butt hits stand back up. Doing this a few times when you go to the bathroom makes it easy to fit in your day.

    Also do some research on vitamin D - absorption relies on fat, so ditch any low fat diet. Also relies on vitamin K. Try to find something that combines the correct doses (google vit D and K). Amazon has some powdered forms of vitamin D with K that you mix in a drink. The form makes them absorbed more readily.

    Low B12 can also cause major energy issues. Find a kind you put under tongue to dissolve.

    Oh, and drink a buttload more water. Flavored or whatever. Just do it, like its your job. It will help (if nothing else you will have to pee more, which makes you get up :) ).
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
    edited May 2017
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    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    https://draxe.com/top-10-vitamin-d-rich-foods/

    Thanks :) I haven't looked those up in a while so it's worth a shot... I know it often comes from the sun. I dont get a lot of sun lol Although all I eat on that list is eggs and mushrooms. But I do love them.
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
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    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    There is zero calorie Monster. Just sayin'. ;)

    I know, but it's just not the same :( lol. I couldn't even stomach them once I had the real deal. Is there any "original" diet monster?
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
    edited May 2017
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    TeacupsAndToning wrote: »
    I'd recommend that when you can, speak to your doctor about getting your iron and ferritin levels tested. Having anemia and iron overload have basically the same symptoms, including constant fatigue which can manifest itself in many different ways, including a "fuzzy" feeling in your head and being forgetful.

    In the meantime, I'd also look into taking B12 - that sometimes helps me out. Also when I feel really fatigued I find that getting some fresh air can make me feel more alert.

    I am beyond forgetful. It drives my bf nuts. I swear. I zone out 100% do things without knowing I am doing them. I walked a mile before and didn't know how I got there... I've never mentioned the memory thing to my Dr. It's gotten worse lately though - especially if I dont sleep enough or Im stressed.
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
    edited May 2017
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    thingofstuff wrote: »
    Have you had your hemoglobin/iron checked? I was struggling with extreme fatigue and chronic headaches, and it turns out I was severely iron deficient. I do feel like I have a lot more energy after a month of iron supplements and working on incorporating more iron-rich foods into my diet. I don't wake up in the morning wanting to curl up and cry with fatigue anymore! I have to take the supplement in the morning every day for 3 months then get my hemoglobin checked again in the end of June.

    Good luck, it's hard balancing so much and taking care of yourself.

    It is hard and I have had my hemoglobin checked before but the worst it has been is slightly low (11) or borderlining low but normal (12). It doesn't usually go above 12 but I don't think it has went below 10 either. My mom has severely low iron and I'm not 100% but I think actual anemia... her level was 7 once and she went to the hospital and they were shocked she was even walking around. I'm glad you were able to get yours under control. I'm sure it can be debilitating.
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
    edited May 2017
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    anaxmann wrote: »
    I agree that you should try to work with your doctor when you can afford it.

    That said, food sensitivities can cause fatigue. This is anecdotal of course, but I used to have fatigue issues, sleeping over nine hours every night and still feeling tired all day and not being able to concentrate. I did an elimination diet (where you cut out the most common food sensitivities and add them back in one at a time, this is not a calorie deficit diet) and found that wheat was kicking my butt. I have cut wheat out of my diet and am doing much better (sleeping about 7.5 hours a night and not feeling tired).

    A side note: caffeine may be interfering with your quality of sleep. Some people are sensitive to that.

    I definitely have allergies! Severe. Beyond severe. I have a referral to an allergist as well (among like 4 other specialists...). I don't know what changed over the last few months, however, because my reactions have been WAY less and before they were daily. I would have severe headaches, sometimes fever, break out, etc. I just broke out for the first time in months and I'm fearing they might be coming back with a vengeance. Hopefully when our coverage kicks back in the allergist will have some solutions then, since you said it could be part of it. Thank you for sharing!
  • manderson27
    manderson27 Posts: 3,510 Member
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    But if there is something medically wrong with you then until it is diagnosed you cannot know whether something will help or hinder. Energy drinks may do more harm than good if you don't know what is causing the fatigue and memory loss in the first place. Sorry I am not being very helpful.

    We are lucky in the UK we have a Health service for everyone so treatment would be continuous until the issue is diagnosed and resolved or under control.

    I hope you get it sorted out soon.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,442 Member
    edited May 2017
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    Verity1111 wrote: »
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    There is zero calorie Monster. Just sayin'. ;)

    I know, but it's just not the same :( lol. I couldn't even stomach them once I had the real deal. Is there any "original" diet monster?

    The white Monster Zero Ultra is the best, IMO. I've never had any of the regular ones.

    In fact, look what is sitting on my desk in front of me right now... ;)

    j4z8rd022qx4.jpg


  • anaxmann
    anaxmann Posts: 103 Member
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    Verity1111 wrote: »

    I definitely have allergies! Severe. Beyond severe. I have a referral to an allergist as well (among like 4 other specialists...). I don't know what changed over the last few months, however, because my reactions have been WAY less and before they were daily. I would have severe headaches, sometimes fever, break out, etc. I just broke out for the first time in months and I'm fearing they might be coming back with a vengeance. Hopefully when our coverage kicks back in the allergist will have some solutions then, since you said it could be part of it. Thank you for sharing!

    The insidious allergies/sensitivities are the ones that have uncommon symptoms. I have a friend who found out she was allergic/sensitive to both corn and pork. She never had the common allergic reactions, but once she stopped eating them a whole bunch of her health issues were reduced in severity. She was able to add pork back into her diet after avoiding it for about a year without worsening her conditions.
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
    Options
    manderson27 wrote: »
    But if there is something medically wrong with you then until it is diagnosed you cannot know whether something will help or hinder. Energy drinks may do more harm than good if you don't know what is causing the fatigue and memory loss in the first place. Sorry I am not being very helpful.

    We are lucky in the UK we have a Health service for everyone so treatment would be continuous until the issue is diagnosed and resolved or under control.

    I hope you get it sorted out soon.

    I need to move.
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
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    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    Verity1111 wrote: »
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    There is zero calorie Monster. Just sayin'. ;)

    I know, but it's just not the same :( lol. I couldn't even stomach them once I had the real deal. Is there any "original" diet monster?

    The white Monster Zero Ultra is the best, IMO. I've never had any of the regular ones.

    In fact, look what is sitting on my desk in front of me right now... ;)

    j4z8rd022qx4.jpg


    I'll need to try them. I previously only liked diet the pink lemonade one and didn't like original AL but my current partner got me hooked when we met. Lol. Now the pink one tastes gross in comparison.

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