OT-exhaustion

Has it been grey and gloomy outside?  That always makes me tired. Are you sleeping good at night? Like the whole night without interruption?  That could be it and it is catching up with you now.  Praying for you to feel better!!

It has been almost a year since I have once slept through the whole night without interruption.  I have a lot of back pain and frequently at night it wakes me up.  Like if I go to turn over in my sleep, it hurts enough to wake me.  On a typical night, I probably wake four or five times due to pain.  On top of that, I have PTSD and have nightmares that wake me at least a few times a week.  I think there was a night last  January that I slept all night without waking and I remember it because it was so unusual.

I'm sure the lack of sleep is a factor but since my sleep has been no worse than usual lately and I'm not usually this tired, I think there is probably something else going on.  But I'm sure a good nights sleep would help a lot.  I don't think I'm going to get one, though.

Man, that is so difficult. My hubby has insomnia and that takes it toll so I can only imagine how hard it is with back pain & PTSD, that's a double whammy. I will praying for a solution and for you to feel rested. 

Keep us posted on how thing go!!!

Oh I feel your pain! I'm not sure your age ... but the joys of menopause (hot flashes) can make bad sleep a whole lot worse. I too have PTSD, major sleep issues, and chronic pain. I worked with a sleep specialist for awhile and did all sorts of behavior modification stuff, finally just went on Ambien and it has made me feel a whole lot better. There are also specific medications that help with nightmares due to PTSD.  In addition, the time change and cold weather don't help at all. I hope you feel better soon, Kelly.

Have you considering iron infusions?  Even though your numbers are going up how quickly and is it worth waiting to get an infusion?  The change in how I felt was shocking I didn't realize how tired I had been.

I've felt really tired lately also.  I believe the shorter days and season changes along with running with sporting activities with my son is just not giving me any downtime lately. 

As noted in the sleep problem thread I also do not sleep well.  Have trouble getting to sleep AND staying asleep.  I wake up on average 2-3 times per night with approximately 5 hrs of possible sleep many nights.  Are you taking anything to help you sleep (I can't remember what I read)?

If it doesn't get better see your doctor.  I'm crossing my fingers after this week (one sport down the other almost done) I'll get in a better sleeping pattern and some down time in the evening.

It's  not fun to be exhausted like that.

Since my ferritin is going up, if slowly, I haven't thought of doing iron infusions anyway.  I would think I'd have a bit of trouble convincing a doctor to order them at this point.  My iron level is good, it was 96 six weeks ago.  My ferritin was 15 in June and up to 26 in September.  So I think most doctors would tell me I did not need infusions at this point.

I take valerian root at night, which helps me fall asleep.  It doesn't keep me from waking up, though.  I probably wake up five or six times most times, that I am aware of.

Your probably right, that's a pretty good increase in 3 months.  My heme doesn't want me below 25 even though the range states lower is OK.  Watching how mine went down so quickly and he knows a good bit about RNY he said it's just not worth waiting.

My ferritin was way high last time.  I need to get it rechecked it didn't make sense how high it was.  My PCP wasn't worried, I probably should send the results to my heme.

What about taking Ambien for a couple of nights instead of the valerian to see if that gives you enough deep sleep to feel okay in the daytime?  I usually only take 1/2 of an ambien to avoid carryover to the next morning.

You know Kelly, I had a follow-up with my PCP's practice today for my anemia.  In talking with the doctor, the one thing he said that got my attention was lab values are just numbers.  And he looks at the numbers as part of the equation; the other part being "how are you feeling?" 

My numbers are coming up (still low but coming up), but I've still got really annoying symptoms of iron deficiency.  Absolute fatigue, headaches, chest pain, difficulty breathing upon exertion, sore tongue, cracked nails, itchy skin, body temp low, etc.  So the practice is following me very closely.

I guess what I'm trying to say is the fatigue could very well be related to low ferritin levels, coupled with seasonal affectiveness disorder, etc.  So while your numbers are improving (as mine are slowly), you may still exhibit the symptoms of iron deficiency/depletion.  I'm amazed when I've done my research that some folks never exhibit any symptoms, and with some, the slightest change in serum iron or ferriton storage levels (for the better or worse) can invoke a strong response.

I hope you get it sorted out, and of course I'm going to suggest priming the pump with plenty of iron rich non-heme foods.  Spinach, tofu, fortified cereals, dried beans, dried prunes, pumpkin seeds.  You can make a yummy salad with spinach, garbanzo beans, goat cheese, pumpkin seeds, and chopped date/prunes! 

And I agree with you wholeheartedly, I need some energy, and for my heart to stop hurtin' -- I've got plans to meet and places to go.  Sheesh!

Is it possible that depression might be creeping up on you? It's a sneaky thing (not even close to the word I want to use).