When is it more than just needing a good night sleep?

[Anonymous]

I am constantly tired. Not fatigued - that I can't get out of bed - but I need a nap on the weekend.

What contributes to needing a nap?
Demanding job
Children who are not great sleepers (it is common that I have a child joining me in bed sometime between 3 and 5:30 AM)
Early risers - same children are up on the weekend no later than 7AM
Something else?

At what point would you make an appointment to rule out other things?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

I think it's totally normal to need a nap. Your body is attempting to catch up on lost sleep during the week. Everything you describe necessitates the need for a nap.

[Anonymous]

I had fatigue and it was debilitating. I needed to nap twice a day and was unable to keep going. I woke up tired every morning. It was related to anemia and low vitamin D.

I now feel better finally. I can get through the day with just a rest at some point. Does not need to be a nap.

[StormyHeather]

I think first I would try getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Go to bed early if you know you're going to get woken up early. Also, exercise 5 days a week.

Of course you could always just get a physical. My doc put me on vitamin D for awhile, 10,000 mg a week, and it perked me right up

[Anonymous]

StormyHeather wrote:I think first I would try getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Go to bed early if you know you're going to get woken up early. Also, exercise 5 days a week.

Of course you could always just get a physical. My doc put me on vitamin D for awhile, 10,000 mg a week, and it perked me right up

I agree with this, but I would aim for at least 8 hour of sleep a night and then see how you feel. I too am constantly tired and love a weekend nap. I also have 2 kids and can't remember the last time I slept for more than 7 hours at night. It is definitely taking it's toll on me.

[Anonymous]

I had fatigue and it was debilitating. I needed to nap twice a day and was unable to keep going. I woke up tired every morning. It was related to anemia and low vitamin D.

I now feel better finally. I can get through the day with just a rest at some point. Does not need to be a nap.

Get a physical. I was anemic and had the same experience as the pp

[Anonymous]

It never hurts to have bloodwork done to see if you have any deficiencies.

But if everything checks out, one thing to consider is exercise. Do you work out? I'm not suggesting you are lazy, especially with kids. But having set-aside time whereby you actually get your heart rate up and keep it up for a little while will over time increase your energy level.

[Anonymous]

Are you in your 40's?

I went to a doctor (neurologist) for serious memory issues. He told me to go home and tell my family that I needed 8 hours of sleep for 2 straight weeks... doctor's orders. Then try my hardest to sleep 8 hours a night as often as possible after that but I needed 2 weeks of good sleep and see how I was feeling.

I had to stop drinking during that period because that glass of wine on Friday and Saturday was waking me at 2am. I also took a mild sleeping pill, Tylenol PM to ensure I slept.

I felt amazing.

I need to do that again.