Chronic Fatigue Relief?

[kellsbelles]

I've been chronically tired for about the past year or so. Blood work in August looked normal no thyroid issues or B vitamin defincencies. My vitamin D was a little low so I started taking supplements but no improvement. I work pretty early (5:45am start times) so on those days I usually get 5-6 hours of sleep but that's only part time so the other days I sleep in and get 10-12 hours. But even on those days I'm still tired and end up napping mid day.

I eat pretty well, exercise daily and don't smoke or have any other medical issues. If anyone has suggestions that have worked for them I would be so greatful! I just want to enjoy life more and not want to sleep through it. Ill be following up with my doctor soon as well. Thanks!

[Susie]

It doesn't matter how much I sleep other nights, if I only get 5-6 hours, I will be groggy/cranky/headachy the next day. Is your pre-work morning routine as compact and simplified as possible to let you sleep as long as possible? Can you get to bed earlier? I know it isn't easy (I used to have swim practice @ 5:30a, so I get it), but that would be a really simple, non-medical fix for me.

Another thing to consider is your sleep cycles. I feel like ASS if I sleep for 5-6 hours. If I can't have 8, I actually feel better with only 4 hrs because I'm not waking up mid-REM cycle. It's a big thing for me.

[Deleted]

It's worth checking iron too, I get pretty fatigued when my iron is low. That said, 5-6 hours of sleep isn't enough for me so I'd also be chronically fatigued.

[ckinla]

Sept 26, 2013 12:28:21 GMT -5 Susie said:

Another thing to consider is your sleep cycles. I feel like ASS if I sleep for 5-6 hours. If I can't have 8, I actually feel better with only 4 hrs because I'm not waking up mid-REM cycle. It's a big thing for me.

This - I have a friend with severe sleep apnea and he used the nike plus watch to determine that he was getting less than 40 minutes of sleep a night. Maybe something like this is going on with you? It's worth a look anyway…

[Deleted]

Sept 26, 2013 21:12:08 GMT -5 mr+ms said:

First thing I would try is to make your sleep schedule more regular. 6-8 hrs seems to be the happy medium I hear of most frequently so pick some number of hours in there. Your wake time is set. Use the same wake time every day and count back from that to find your bedtime. So maybe it's 9pm to 4am.

Make sure it's very dark where you sleep. You could try a sleep mask or dark shades on the windows. Limit using blue light after the sun sets (computer screens, phones, gadgets, even room lighting... keep it minimal). If you have a hard time waking very early, consider using a daylight lamp during your morning routine until the sun comes up. If you're indoors most of the day, try to sneak in daylight/sun when possible.

I agree with the bolded.  I only feel rested when I get in a regular sleep pattern.  Even things like DH coming to get ready for bed right when I'm falling asleep will mess me up. 

[taratru]

I'd probably start committing murder if I only slept 5-6 hours for more than a few days.

I read somewhere that you can't make up sleep...so sleeping longer those other days is actually screwing up your sleep on the early days. Is there some reason you can't go to bed earlier? I know sometimes I just have to quit my screen time or record my shows for another day or whatever so I can get to bed earlier.

[naldridge]

Ironically I am reading this after waking up 3 hours ago. I can't fall back to sleep

Hope you are up and headed to work - happy Friday!