And I can't seem to shake it!

I was this way before surgery and I am still this way even after an 83 lb weight loss.

My labs I had done in April were right on target. I am due for a thyroid check though.

But do you think these things have a lot to do with it?

1. I work at home and do ALOT of computer input, creating invoices etc on the computer. This I know makes me sleepy.

2. We went through a foreclosure 2 years ago and financially things are rocky but we're getting by but it's accompanied by a lot of stress. And we owe a big chunk to the IRS and that's sucking us dry every month.

3. I don't sleep well because of the stress and I am usually up between 4:30 and 5:00 7 days a week.

4. I think I am perimenopausal.

5. And I have been dealing with anxiety/borderline panic lately.

I am tired of being tired. I am so tired I can't even exercise. Somedays I sit at my desk with my les stretched out and zone out. I am sitting here at 6:15 am and my eyes feel gritty from lack of sleep. I can't even drag myself out to see my horses after work because I may fall asleep while driving and my little "light" has went out for now.

I do have an appt to see my doctor on june 11 to discuss things. I am just not happy because I am so dang tired all the time.

Any thoughts or experience with all this?

Melissa.  First let me say you are looking great. 

I was a little more tired the first year after surgery.    I find that if I just get going physically I really do feel better and less stressed.  I try to run or lift weights to the point that it's hard to think about anything but the exercise I'm doing.  It kind of frees my mind.  Mental stress can be more tiring and debilitating than physical stress.  Also try to get outside for some fresh air every day.  I'm not an expert, but these are some of the things that work for me.  Take care. Lin

Melissa - it sounds like your "tiredness" is mainly from a lack of sleep.  You have several major reasons why you're not sleeping.

When I'm having problems sleeping for a couple of nights in a row (due to stress, work, mind running constantly) I take a Tylenol PM before I go to bed.  Just 1....  And it keeps me sleeping and I feel good when I wake up (not all groggy). 

Try it - but DON'T TAKE 2 unless you want to feel like dog poo in the morning.

See if it helps.  It won't take the stress away, but if you can get a few nights of good sleep, perhaps the rest of the tired issues will disappear or minimize.

Melissa,
Sounds like you have a lot going on in your life.
I've used the Tylenol PM before like Jody suggested.  I only used 1 or I feel like I'm in a fog the next day.
It has been really stressful at work lately and I have found that if I make myself exercise every morning before work, I feel so much better and it really helps with the stress.  I can assure you that some mornings I have to make myself do this.  I go to the gym and do 35 minutes on the treadmill.  Some days I will do 20 minutes treadmill and 15 - 20 on weights.  I don't spend hours there, but it really makes a big difference.
Good luck and I hope you find something to help with your tiredness, stress and to help you sleep.
Linda

I had terrible fatigue a couple of years back.  My thyroid tests were always a little "off" and somtimes even ok.  Doctor decided to put me on meds.  Made a HUGE difference.

I hope you get things figured out.  Living like that is no fun.

i never got the vitality back that i had before surgery.  i'm not sleepy tired as you describe-more slack.  i fight depression and it wouldnt be outlandish to think you may have some of that going on given what's going on in your life.  getting some decent sleep is important obviously.  make exercise a priority.  if i didnt have my horses at home...i hate to think..

keep a stiff upper lip and take care of yourself

If you take Tylenol PM and 1 is to much I have done a 1/2 one before and it worked well!

I would have your thyroid checked if you haven't....I am starting to feel better now after having mine checked and being on meds.

Are you taking a vit b 12? I know if I miss mine for one day I am feeling tired!

Good luck!

Are you sure your labs were good?  Like, did you get a copy of the lab report and review it yourself?  I ask because docs often tell people their labs are good when they really are not.  Lab reports usually list something like 211-911 as normal for B12 but when B12 gets below about 550, people usually get tired and depressed.  Lab reports usually list something like 30-80 as normal for vitamin D but really we want it to be more like 80-100.  Iron that is borderline-low can cause fatigue but docs will say your labs are fine if it's technically still in the normal range.

If you're not sleeping well, then that can certainly have something to do with it.  Anyone is going to be tired if they don't get enough sleep. 

I think stress can make you feel tired, too.  Depression certainly can.

Kelly

 Sleep disorders can become chronic so that would be something that you probably should get treated. Early waking and lack of energy are signs of depression which can be caused by lots of things. There is a lot going on in your life right now and it can also be caused by thyroid imbalance.
In either case your sleepiness and inability to sleep should be treated and can be treated successfully. Do discuss this with your doctor and don't feel like it's something you need to "shake"
There is a cause and there is a treatment...Good Luck..Seaview

Hi Melissa,

I'm sorry you're so tired out.  Do you think you might have sleep apnea?  I have two thin friends who were just diagnosed.  A few nights with the sleep mask and they're bouncing around again.  They were both really surprised to find that they had it.

You say your labs were right on target, is that according to your surgeon/PCP or did you get a copy of them and post them here?  Many time patients get told that things are perfect and when they post them online here, we fine that B12 levels are dangerously low, vitamin D levels are very deficient, iron and ferritin levels are low, calcium levels are too high, protein levels are too low, this is just to name a few.  These can all make you tired. 

If you would like to post them, I would be glad to take a look at them.  We need optimal levels in many of these areas, so just being in the normal range isn't always enough. Also, getting your thyroid levels checked is a good idea, many of us go through major thyroid changes post op

Thanks to EVERYONE for all your replies.

There are a couple of things I didn't say. One was that I was taking Ambien which knocks me the heck out for about 6 hours then I am WIDE AWAKE. I ran out about a month ago and did not call for a refill for a week. That week I splept the best ever. I felt the best ever. I have one more week and then I am going to stop taking it. Each time I did stop I had no issues falling asleep. I started taking it orginally because I was waking up 3-4 times a night to urinate and not falling right back to sleep. But ever since the surgery, I don't unrinate as much, sometimes going through the night . I think my body is utilizing every drop. But I MUST stop. The Ambien affects me differently than ti did before surgery. It actually gives me a high. Do I really need it? or is it my cross over addiction. I do have an addictive personality.

I am also going to start a thread with my labs.

Thanks for all the help