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

marianacci3
marianacci3 Posts: 4
edited October 6 in Motivation and Support
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
    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
    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
    Bump
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    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
    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: 1,641 Member
    you could have chronic fatigue syndrome. look it up.
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    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
    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
    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: 48,993 Member
    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
    bump! i'm 19 and feel the same way :(
  • krisrpaz
    krisrpaz Posts: 263 Member
    you could have chronic fatigue syndrome. look it up.

    I was thinking this or Fibromyalgia.
  • Runner_mick
    Runner_mick Posts: 115 Member
    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
    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
    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
    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
    You have mono, depression and IBS... go see a doctor!
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    I'm guessing

    1) sleep apnea
    2) a parasite
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    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
    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.
  • ashnm88
    ashnm88 Posts: 748
    I would go to your doctor.
  • Play_outside
    Play_outside Posts: 528 Member
    My first thought is that you are eating something (or things) that your body is sensitive to. Gluten and dairy are top offenders. Food intolerances have a huge effect on energy levels.
  • mleoni092708
    mleoni092708 Posts: 629 Member
    Ask for a referral to have a sleep study done for sleep apnea.
  • katapple
    katapple Posts: 1,108 Member
    Get a second opinion. I am on medication for Hypothyroidism even though my levels are normal (high, but normal) I showed symptoms and my numbers for Hashimoto's disease are through the roof so my doctor decided to medicate. Did you see an endocrinologist? Can you be referred to one? Good luck, I hope you find out what's going on, because it isn't normal!
  • monocot
    monocot Posts: 475 Member
    You may need a new Doctor.!
    I had a personal Problem that was very painful and when I went to the doctor and told him what I though it was. he agreed and didn't even question it and Look at teh problem./ I went back to him 3 times and he told me to take more fiber,
    Finally I went to a different doctor, after having to wait 3 months to get into a different doctor. Now I'm finally on the mend after a year of Pain!.
    Find a new doctor. He'll have fresh ideas and maybe actually care!
  • Devonanne
    Devonanne Posts: 102 Member
    I would get a second thyroid test and make sure you get a copy of the results. There are varying opinions among doctors as to what a "normal" thyroid range is, but your TSH level should be no higher than 2. I say this because I had a similar problem and it turned out to be hypothyroidism, but at first my doc didn't think it was an issue. I got on thyroid meds and felt much better.

    Not saying this is your problem, it could be a lot of different things - but I do think it's worthwhile having another test done and make sure you look at the results yourself.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    Two words: Second Opinion!

    The symptoms you describe could point to a variety of things, from thyroid (yes, you said they ruled it out) to autoimmune disorder to something much scarier. Or it could be simple poor nutrition (do you make sure you eat plenty of a variety of healthy foods?)
    I would go to another doctor and explain ALL of the symptoms you did here (the "feeling like I"m always coming down with a cold" is a red flag to my uninformed mind) and your history.
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    ok, simple thing to try out if its sleep apnea.
    tape two tennis balls to your back.

    this will force you to sleep on your side or stomach. then your airway won't collapse at night.
  • johnlms
    johnlms Posts: 15
    I would recommend having a sleep study done (as others have recommended)... it's worth it to make sure you're actually resting while you're asleep. I would definitely start there.

    I had the same type of issues throughout my 20's and finally went to a sleep doctor at 30. I have sleep apnea as well and have been using a cpap machine for three years now and have the energy levels that I had been missing.
  • ojell
    ojell Posts: 748 Member
    I didn't read all the responses just yet, but maybe it's something like sleep apnea or something. There are several things that can cause it. It's you know you are eating properly and exercising. Not sure if you take a vitamin or not, if not, start!

    I do know a common cause is Thyroid, and unfortunately, the test may be inaccurate. I think I'd get serious with your doctor about this and if s/he doesn't seem to know or care to dig deeper, then get a second opinion.
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