Exhaustion

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DSMcCullough
DSMcCullough Posts: 4 Member
in Motivation and Support
How does one stop being so tired all the time. I've started eating right hoping it would help with how tired I was but nothing has changed, I lost 15 lbs but still feel like I could sleep for a whole week and not feel rested. I literally can't do anything around the house because I feel like I need to rest constantly. I have had people tell me I just have to force myself and get out. I tried exercising and actually did it for about an hour a day for 5 days straight but each tim after I was even more tired (obviously) and would have to take a nap during the day. I brought it up to my doctor but was just advised to drink more water. I fill a 100oz jug full of water and ice everyday and basically drink the whole thing. I feel like losing weight is impossible without any energy. I also have bad back pain which I feel attributes to me being tired, like the pain itself is exhausting. But according to my doctor I just have a bad back and will eventually develop arthritis there.

Replies

  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 17,959 Member
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    Sounds like your doctor is being a bit useless, have you had a full blood panel? It could be as simple as a vitamin deficiency, which is easily treated. Do you take a multi-vitamin?

    do you see anyone besides a GP for your back? It sounds like you could benefit from some physiotherapy.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
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    Maybe you aren't eating right and exhausting yourself? Or maybe you're ill? Your doctor has to take the proper steps to fix you if you are ill, but you have to do your part:

    Are you getting in sufficient nutrition - at least 1200 calories, balanced macros and your "five-a-day"? Do you eat a varied diet - some food from all the food groups every day, and different foods through the day and from day to day? Do you cook? Do you have any allergies or other food restrictions?

    Have you tried, like, exercising for ten minutes every day, not a full hour?

    How is your sleep at night - do you get a full 8 hours?

    How is your social and work life - do you have emotional support, do you get appropriately challenging and meaningful tasks?

    How do you "talk" to yourself - do you use the same words and tone you use when you talk to your friends?
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 24,840 Member
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    All of the above, and also ...

    What medications, if any, are you taking? I was taking one (unfortunately, quite a common one) which threw me into a depression. I went from being very active and positive to coming home after work, curling up on the sofa, and bursting into tears at every little thing.
  • GrayRider61
    GrayRider61 Posts: 337 Member
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    I can relate. I have spinal stenosis which is often painful and I battle fatigue constantly. Like someone else suggested, look at your sleep patterns, maybe blood work. And don't exercise for an hour five days in a row unless you've built up to it. I'm 56 with back pain, arthritis, etc. Some days I can go hard but I vary my workouts and don't do the same thing every day. I'm a mountain biker so I like to ride but also supplement it with a bodyweight workout (30 minute workout). Add me if you have any questions.
  • jaci66
    jaci66 Posts: 139 Member
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    There could be a number of reasons you are tired/exhausted. As others have posted, have you had a full blood panel done? Vitamin deficiency could be one possibility. Diabetes could be another. This was my particular problem. If your glucose is too high, you don't sleep good at night. You don't rest well when you do sleep. You are always tired. Eating too much processed foods not only weigh you down physically, but literally. It's hard to lose weight on processed foods.

    Exercise is the key. I understand you can't do too much - at the moment. But, get out every day and walk. If that means you can only walk around the yard, walk. If it means you can only walk to the corner and back, then walk. When I first started walking in June, I walked around the block here and was winded. That was barely 500 steps. Now, I walk up hills and around neighborhoods like I did this morning and barely get winded. I have lower back pain from a minor injury back in my military days that was a lot of problem for me. It wasn't constant, but I haven't had it in months.

    Don't worry about doing too much too soon. Just a little every day is good then increase it as you can. Before you know it, you'll be sleeping well and getting rest. I know I do now. -- just my humble opinion.

    ______

    Always looking for friends. The more the merrier. Accountability is the answer.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
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    1) Are you eating enough to fuel your day?
    2) Agree with getting a full blood/urine test done
    3) Have you considered changing doctors?

    I had a similar issue to where I had to sit down sometimes when taking a shower. Turns out I was severely anemic. No evidence of any gastric bleeding but it was caused by a number of small bleeds in the stomach and I wasn't eating enough to replenish what was lost.
  • DSMcCullough
    DSMcCullough Posts: 4 Member
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    Thanks, I'll have to mention getting more blood work done. I had blood work done to see if I was anemic about a year ago since I had been slightly anemic during pregnancy. I've had exhaustion since then too. Then I've had blood work done to see what I was allergic to. I just hate going to the doctor with this page full of aches and pains/problems. I'm only 24 so I feel like doctors might just think I'm just trying to get pain medicine.
  • H_Ock12
    H_Ock12 Posts: 1,152 Member
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    DSMcCullough wrote: »
    Thanks, I'll have to mention getting more blood work done. I had blood work done to see if I was anemic about a year ago since I had been slightly anemic during pregnancy. I've had exhaustion since then too. Then I've had blood work done to see what I was allergic to. I just hate going to the doctor with this page full of aches and pains/problems. I'm only 24 so I feel like doctors might just think I'm just trying to get pain medicine.

    Do just that...make a list of your problems and any thing you can relate to them. Take that to your doctor's appt and keep pressing until the doctor does testing or sends you to specialists. If your doctor isn't open to it, seek a second opinion. You often have to fight tooth and nail for healthcare, but it's totally worth it...and quite exhausting in itself.
  • LeanButNotMean44
    LeanButNotMean44 Posts: 852 Member
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    Have you ever had a sleep study? My SO has sleep apnea and is always tired. He did a sleep study and was told he spent very little time in the REM state of sleeping, which I believe is where one gets the most restful sleep.
  • pineapple_jojo
    pineapple_jojo Posts: 440 Member
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    This isn't normal. Also doing an hour of exercise doesn't necessarily make you exhausted - I usually feel really energised after. Can you see another doctor? Get your blood work done and see a physiotherapist/osteopath/chiropractor about your back. Good luck!

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