[bwkeys45]

I feel tired ALL the time. I'm exhausted when I wake up in the morning, I'm tired during the day, and I feel like I'm about to fall apart by the time I get home from school. It isn't even like it's the annoying tired you can ignore; my muscles are weak and I have trouble lifting things or sitting up by the end of the day, and I will take 2 or 3 hour "naps" and still feel the same. Is this normal, or should I be worried? I started to take medication a few months ago, too, so I'm a bit confused as to why I'm still so sleepy.

[volatile]

maybe you are anemic? are you eating enough during the day? maybe try to eat more snacks like fruits during the day. Exercising could help you build up some more energy too, it worked for me. I also started eating more snacks and it helped as well. If nothing else just see a doctor. they can give a blood test for anemia or other deficiencies and give you better advice.

[wa(o)rrior]

u say u r on meds. remember all anti-depressants make u sleepy to make sure u don't keep on worrying. howz ur sleep quality? do u have deep sleep or is ur mind constantly throwing u dreams that keeps running like a movie?

[bwkeys45]

I've always been like this- the meds have just given me little bouts of feeling all jazzed up and not being able to sleep every few weeks. Thanks for the suggestions

[Canyon]

I feel like this all of the time, so I totally get what you are saying. The exhaustion makes you more depressed, the depression makes you more tired. Such a horrible cycle.

When I ODed a few months ago and ended up in the hospital they found that I was severely anemic to the point that they had to give me a transfusion. It might be a good idea to talk to your doctor about having a CBC (complete blood count) done to rule out a deficiency.

Good luck. Hope you feel better.

[nbritton]

If it's been more than a year since you've had lab work done. Ask the doc for a CBC w/differential, comprehensive metabolic, and thyroid function panel.

If cost isn't an issue, also throw in ferritin, calcifediol, calcitriol, magnesium (or full electrolyte panel), b12, and a complete thyroid function panel, if the doctor thinks it would be helpful.

The CBC w/differential and the metabolic panel are two labs that should be done every year, they're basically equivalent to having a mechanic check the fluids in your car during an oil change. The other tests are specialized, and will aid your doctor in diagnosing your exhaustion, depending on your medical history, the doctor will decide which tests they need to run.

If you have access to your old labs, you can use that as the starting point. TSH should be less than 2.5, if it's higher than 2.5 I'd personally start supplementing with iodine and then recheck it in a month. Also, if it's an iron, b12, or magnesium deficiency you could buy some at the store and try it out. Ferrous sulfate is only like $4 at the store, that would be the cheapest way to find out if you have an iron deficiency.... which in menstruating women is the most common mineral deficiency. If Vitamin D3 status is less than 40 ng/mL I would begin vitamin D3 supplementation, optimized range is roughly 45 - 60 ng/mL

Originally Posted by bwkeys45

I feel tired ALL the time. I'm exhausted when I wake up in the morning, I'm tired during the day, and I feel like I'm about to fall apart by the time I get home from school. It isn't even like it's the annoying tired you can ignore; my muscles are weak and I have trouble lifting things or sitting up by the end of the day, and I will take 2 or 3 hour "naps" and still feel the same. Is this normal, or should I be worried? I started to take medication a few months ago, too, so I'm a bit confused as to why I'm still so sleepy.

[bwkeys45]

I've actually never had my blood taken.. or even had a needle for the past 10 years. I guess now is the time to get over the fear, huh?

[Whoaminoone]

Have you had a sleep study performed? Perhaps, in conjunction with the labs mentioned above, you could inquire about that. You may well have an undiagnosed sleep disorder such as Apnea or Narcolepsy. Both would contribute to the symptoms you describe.

[fluffy_bunny]

I have the exact same problem and it has gotten worse and worse over time. It was worst in my last year of school and now it is somewhat better as I am in a gap/rest between different stages of my life. I have gone to doctors multiple times and gotten multiple blood tests and it has all come back fine. I was told by my therapist that it could be caused by my feelings and my lifestyle, as it seems to be depression-related (it correlates positively with how depressed I am). I can't give you any good advice because I don't know what to do either, sorry.

It is really embarrassing because everyone thinks I am kinda antisocial and very lazy. They think I am some kind of snob for not wanting to do a lot of things but in reality it's because I feel so tired and blank.

Cliché as it may be, know that you are not alone, I think that most depressed people get these kinds of symptoms.

On the bright side, if what we have is the same thing, as your other depression symptoms are alleviated you should feel much less tired.