 |
|
|
|
| Stay at Home Moms |
| Public online group |
|
|
| |
|
|
| I'm hoping I can get some suggestions on here. I'm still finding I need a nap everyday when my little one goes down for a nap. He is now 22 months. Other moms I talk to use their child's nap time to do chores and stuff, but I usually am so exhausted all I can do is sleep. I've been tested for anemia, but apparently I'm fine there. I'm tired of the doctors telling me there is nothing wrong with me. I take all my vitamins and drink plenty of water. What am I doing wrong? Any suggestions? Am I crazy? |
| Posted by Bonnie on 11/24/2008 12:33 PM
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| I feel like that all the time too. I think it's due to lack of sleep, exercise and my diet. But I'm to tired and not motivated to work out. I keep the coffee flowin. Sorry I can't help, but your not alone. |
| posted by on 11/24/2008 12:53 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I've got 2 1/2-year-old twins and I still need a nap, not every day, but I can't go more than three days in a row without one! I also just found out that I have an underactive thyroid. That was part of what was making me so tired. Have you have your thyroid checked? Just a thought. |
| posted by Kristine on 11/24/2008 01:04 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I would have your Thyroid checked. They have just a routine blood work for Thyroid, but sometimes it doesn't show, so they have to check the antibodies. I was feeling so exhausted, I wasn't having regular monthly cycles, and just feeling down in the dumps. My doctor was surprised I wasn't in a coma. Hope everything comes out good! Don't feel crazy, there are plenty of us out here that feel the same as you!! |
| posted by Adrianne on 11/24/2008 02:17 PM
|
|
|
|
|
HI Bonnie,
I have a 12 yr old and a little one that is going to be 3 soon and know how you feel. I, too was feeling exhausted and found out that I have hypothyroidism. But the treatments that I was receiving wasn't working. I started looking further and found out that I had adrenal exhaustion. Your adrenals influence all major physological processes in the body... especially the hormones. They are very important for producing cortisol to reduce stress and other hormones to help reduce inflamation in the body, muscle strength and so on. Over time, they may become fatiqued or exhausted because they have been overworked and start to malfunction. When that happens, many of the other endricrine glands such as thyroid will start to become overworked due to the imbalance and will then become a problem too. The results may lead to hypothyroidism, high blood pressure, weight gain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatique and so on. There are many things we can do. And Getting plenty of rest is one on them. I could go on and on but then this message would be way to long. Let me know if you want more info. Hope this helps. |
| posted by Cheryl on 11/24/2008 02:21 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| Get tested for the Epstein Barr Virus. You may have that and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I have had these for years. Do some research. It will take you modifying your lifestyle to help though. There isn't a cure or therapy for it. |
| posted by DESTINY on 11/24/2008 03:01 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I hope there is nothing medically wrong with and that you are just tired. If so, don't feel bad about it. Your body is telling you what it needs and that may simply be rest. Sometimes the best way for us to take care of our children is to take care of ourselves first - even if that means the laundry doesn't get done or the floor dosen't get mopped. |
| posted by Lori on 11/24/2008 04:30 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| Thank you all for your insight. I will bring these up to my doctor when I go back. It's good to know I'm not alone. |
| posted by Bonnie on 11/24/2008 09:30 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| My suggestion is to listen to your body. If you're exhausted during your child's nap time, then you need to take a nap as well. Do not compare yourself with other mom's out there. Other mom says that they do chores during their child's nap time, but that probably because they have help or their child sleeps through the night and so does the mothers. We're all different. |
| posted by on 11/24/2008 10:09 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| is your little one sleeping through the night? are you the main caretaker? |
| posted by ellen on 11/24/2008 10:37 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| Yes my son sleeps through the night. I usually sleep from around 10pm (lately) until he wakes up around 6:30am. I am his primary caretaker during the day, but I'm finding I'm still needing a nap during the day. I don't understand this since I use to be able to work a full day before I stayed home. |
| posted by Bonnie on 11/24/2008 10:40 PM
|
|
|
|
|
I have had CFS since I was a sophomore in high school and I am now almost 24. It is really hard to deal with. I try to get extra sleep and eat healthy. I also have depression and anxiety which do not help the matters.
Rachael |
| posted by on 11/24/2008 11:11 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| bonnie, yes i have the same problem, and why i am so tired (besides the fact or careing for my kid all day) is becuase i dont eat right/ and not often+ when i dont take my vitamines. when i do thoughs things/ i feel like a million bucks. i used to also drink a protein health(powdered drink) once a day which helped alot too. and (sometimes) getting out and getting some exercise can help energize as well! my last resort is always coffee. |
| posted by teresa on 11/25/2008 01:03 AM
|
|
|
|
|
| I have twins aged 2 yrs and 7 mths. No helpers just me. I am tired all the time too but could not sleep when my children are sleeping. I have thyroid and is hyper. Most afternoons, I will read business/motivational books after that I will prepare to cook for dinner. I will also think what to teach and play with my children when they woke up. Think of a hobby you like to do and you will not feel tire. However, rest when you need to. |
| posted by Jane on 11/25/2008 01:46 AM
|
|
|
|
|
I feel your pain-my daughter didn't consistently sleep through the night as early as all the books said she "should", so I was tired alot. She started sleeping through the night and then I got pregnant again!
The thing that helped me the most, besides napping with her, was to get regular (daily) exercise-I would strap my daughter into a sling or a stroller and head for the park. I would feel too tired to get my butt out the door, but I had to, so my toddler could play at the park. And I always felt re-energized afterwards, at least until bedtime.
I don't know what your eating habits are, but if you eat some protein with your meals and snacks, that can help stabilize your blood sugar and maintain energy. Try to avoid refined sugars, and opt for whole grains when possible. If you're chronically tired, you want to avoid "crashes".
I know others have suggested your thyroid or CFS, did your Dr check for anything else? Also talk to your significant other, maybe you just need a little You-time. It's amazing what a few hours now & then, away from our darling little ones, can do for our energy levels. |
| posted by Bethany on 11/25/2008 09:36 AM
|
|
|
|
|
Bethany,
My doctor did check for Thyroid, but she didn't check for the antibodies. So I think I will ask if she can do those. |
| posted by Bonnie on 11/25/2008 09:41 AM
|
|
|
|
|
Hey Bonnie,
Definitely get all of your thyroid labs drawn and reviewed. This is one of the most common causes of fatigue, but usually comes with noteable symptoms such as weight gain/inability to lose weight, puffiness of the skin, dry, rough skin, hair loss, fatigue, etc...
*Also, make sure your not pregnant again : )
I think Cheryl gave you an excellent thing to consider with adrenal fatigue. Unfortunately, most conventional medical doctors do not give any thought to the adrenal glands; but, as Cheryl mentioned, they play a pivotal role in running our ENTIRE system. I'm not even sure if you asked that your doctor would run a test for your adrenals.
Without repeating anything that Cheryl has already said, I would encourage you to google 'adrenal fatigue' to see what some of the symptoms are and how this type of fatigue can disrupt almost every major system in the body.
Now, it could be that you are, indeed, hypothyroid. However, this hypothyroidism could be a result of adrenal fatigue. If both organs are not adressed, your fatigue will not not resolve...even with thyroid medication.
There are a couple of ways to test the adrenal gland to determine how well it is functioning. One way is a 24 hour urinary free-cortisol test (usually need a prescription for this one). This requires collecting one's urine over a 24 hour period because cortisol levels rise and fall throughout the day. Cortisol should be at it's highest between 6-8am and then taper off throughout the day reaching the lowest levels at midnight.
There can be a variety of variations with cortisol. Sometimes it 'flip flops' with cortisol being low during the day (causing fatigue) and high at night (causing insomnia). Other times it's low at all times. And, in some people, it is elevated in the morning, and stays elevated all day long. So, the urine test is considered the most accurate way to test the adrenals.
You can also do a salivary Adrenal Function Test (AFT). This can actually be purchased online and does not require a doctor's prescription (so, it is very practical). In a nutshell, you spit into 4 little tubes at 4 different times throughout the day (morning, noon, evening and night) and then send the samples into the lab (you can find lots of labs online; ZRT is a very reputable one). The lab analyzes your cortisol (and usually DHEA) levels to give you the same info as the urinary cortisol test. The reason DHEA is typically thrown in is because it is pretty much solely made in the adrenal glands and gives a good barometer of their function. The lab will send you a detailed interpretation of your test, and if you have any questions, you can typically call the lab and ask for a doctor to explain your results to you. Usually included in the report are things you can do to strengthen the adrenal glands (i.e. diet, supplements, herbs, things to avoid, etc...)
The final way to measure cortisol is through blood (actually plasma). However, this is typically for people who are thought to have a more serious adrenal problem such as Cushing's Disease.
So, as I mentioned earlier, google adrenal fatigue. I know most people have not heard of this problem, but it is estimated that 80% of Americans suffer from it. This is why Starbucks is so popular and caffeine is the number one most popular legal drug in the US.
I hope this info helps. I know everyone keeps hitting on the thyroid (as they should), but do not ignore the adrenal glands!!! |
| posted by Allison on 11/25/2008 02:44 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| Thank you thank you thank you to everyone! I'm going to print this out and start doing some major research. I really appreciate everyone's help with this. |
| posted by Bonnie on 11/25/2008 02:57 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I envy the fact that you could nap! My little one is going on 3 months & I've napped ONCE since she's been born for about 10 whole minutes. I tried to nap, but couldnt as I'd drink a large cup of strong coffee each morning to get me going. But just bcuz my brain and eyes werent tired doesnt mean my body didnt feel slugish at times. What really helps me is exercise (although I can only do it so often as I'm restricted on time). If you are sleeping 8.5 hours a night, I would suggest exercising when your little one naps. As someone mentioned above, you need to take care of yourself and maybe napping during the day after sleeping 8.5 hrs is making you MORE tired. This used to happen to me when I'd sleep in on weekends before having my baby. I'd sleep TOO much and feel groggy and slugish. |
| posted by April on 11/25/2008 03:32 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I also feel better if I can workout a little during naptime. I like The Firm Pilate videos because they have short little 10 minute workouts that you can fit in your day. |
| posted by Tara on 11/29/2008 08:41 AM
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
| |  |
| |
|
|
|
