I'm tired all the time

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-04-2010, 02:08 PM

Maybe tired isn't the right word... I'm wide awake and I have no energy. I start doing something in the yard and within minutes I'm exhausted and I feel drained the rest of the day. Making dinner tires me.

I just had a blood test 3 weeks ago. I'm fine. My thyroid is fine. I take a multivitamin, vit D and folic acid.

I eat right, protein every day, lots of fresh veg and fruit, no fast food or junk food, no sodas. I eat 3 meals a day and healthful snacks.

I'm the appropriate weight for my age and height. My friends call me "skinny", but there's plenty of flesh on these bones and my doctor says I am in good shape.

I don't drink a lot of caffeine because it keeps me awake at night. While I've had sleep problems in the past, lately I've been sleeping well (8-10 hours) probably because the yard work is tiring me out so much.

I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong, or not doing at all, that is making me feel this way. I *want* to do things, but after 5 or 10 minutes my energy is all drained. I don't think I should feel this way for another 30-40 years.

How do you do it?

**ladykemma2** · 05-04-2010, 02:11 PM

are you getting enough exercise and b-12 cyanocobalamin?

**Libby** · 05-04-2010, 02:14 PM

Did you have your Vit B levels checked? Also...your red blood cells counted and your blood sugars checked?

I think another trip back to the doctor is in order...nip this in the bud now before problems arise.

**frugalfranny** · 05-04-2010, 02:25 PM

Try a B12. And don't get the biggest mg. that you can.....just medium.....as you can throw your B6 to 12 off.

I do better when I take it.

But I agree......if they will do more blood work......have it done.

Also.......with the sleep....maybe you aren't getting good REM sleep.

**Siebrie** · 05-04-2010, 02:27 PM

How is your iron? My values are always on the low side of okay, so the doctor usually does not mention it, but I always feel better after an iron supplement. I self medicate with an iron tablet about once a month.

**Palooka** · 05-04-2010, 02:32 PM

Agree, b12 and iron is what comes to mind. I know I feel so much better with them. Make sure you get plenty of water. Hope you can get it figured out.

I'm sure it's frustrating.

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-04-2010, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by Libby

Did you have your Vit B levels checked? Also...your red blood cells counted and your blood sugars checked?

I'm taking the folic acid, that is a B vitamin. And yes, I did have blood count and blood sugar done. They came out normal.

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-04-2010, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by Siebrie

How is your iron?

That may be it. I thought I was getting enough red meat, but we don't eat a lot of beans, which could have me low.

Thanks.

**frugalfranny** · 05-04-2010, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

That may be it. I thought I was getting enough red meat, but we don't eat a lot of beans, which could have me low.

Thanks.

If you can stand liver............now may be the time to have a big chunk. Your body will use the iron better. Iron tabs can be horribly constipating and taking tabs can interfere with some other meds. if you are taking any. Might want to check this out if you plan to take them all the time.

**Libby** · 05-04-2010, 02:55 PM

Dark leafy greens are high in iron as well....My dad has low red blood cell count which is why I asked if you had yours checked lately. He has to get monthly B12 shots in the butt for a while before they're willing to retest to see if he can switch over to an oral form.

I constantly am making a beans & greens soup: kale, swiss chard or spinach and other veggies in the soup with dark red kidney beans all in a beef broth. We tend to eat a lil more beef these days vs a huge steak once in a blue moon.

Whatever is bogging you down, I hope you kick it and feel better soon.

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-04-2010, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by ladykemma2

are you getting enough exercise and b-12 cyanocobalamin?

I don't work out and I'm not athletic. I'd like to be but arthritis damage prevents me from doing anything with impact (most sports) and anything that stresses the joints. I used to dance, but I can't handle it any more. I walk when I can, even if it is 2 hours worth of shopping on the weekend. I try to stay limber with stretching and orthopaedic exercises at home. The orthopaedist considers me "active" because I go up and down stairs a couple times a day and spend time on my feet doing housework and gardening a couple times a week.

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-04-2010, 03:10 PM

FF -- I love liver but DH won't have it. I've been looking for it, but have not seen any in a long time here.

Libby -- I love leafy greens, too. I have chard coming in the garden, just another week or so and we'll be eating it 3x a week. I guess I just need to be patient.

Thanks for the help.

**falan** · 05-04-2010, 03:20 PM

I recently went through a spell of wanting to take naps every single day... upped my protein and felt 100% better. Didn't need a nap anymore. The magic of lentils.

Hope things start looking up for you. I know it's frustrating.

**nodmicks** · 05-04-2010, 03:47 PM

I second more vitamin d and having vit d levels checked. Do you get enough healthy fats? Just a few ideas. This is probably way out there but during each of the 4 times I have been treated for lymes I was so tired

**2ndGenGranola** · 05-04-2010, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

I'm taking the folic acid, that is a B vitamin.

Folic acid is a B-vitamin isolate (a single B-vitamin). You need to take a B-complex (with all the B-vitamins). Taking an isolate can create an imbalance and/or deplete other B-vitamins. They must work as a family.