Energy

[Anonymous]

I was wondering if anyone could give me tips on a problem I've been having for at least 2 to 3 years now - my energy level is next to nil.

I am 32 years old, and I have hypothyroidism which I'm taking medication for (and it is true that would be a factor but my blood tests show that the hormone levels are normal right now) & I don't show any other problems - I have a 5 year old son & whatever problems I had right after birth should be long over by now.

I don't feel I'm depressed but I have little motivation to do anything anymore - even basic things that I used to do out of habit. Its not that I don't want to do things but it’s hard for me to get started on doing anything and sometimes just plain moving. I have accomplished stuff - I just finished getting my master's degree so I haven't been a complete sloth but at times the only thing I would throughout a day is just go to class & then go hide out at home.

What that means I guess is that I only fill the bare minimum of obligations but don't really tackle the meat of what I need be doing throughout a day.

I really feel like the root of this is an energy level that I lack.

Does anyone else feel this way too? Does anyone have any recommendations or clues of which direction I should look into for sorting this out because I really do feel like my lack of energy is disrupting my life and preventing me from doing everything I need to do for my son.

[Anonymous]

Have you had your iron count checked? Even slight anemia can make you feel exhausted. Your hemoglobin and red blood cells are key to your respiration and energy level so you may want your doc. to specifically look at those numbers.

Are you taking any vitamins or supplements?

Do you sleep well at night?

[Anonymous]

OP here - I had all my iron levels checked the last time I got my thyroid hormones checked and they all came out fine (plus I eat spinach quite a bit because my mother used to worry about anemia). I get MORE than enough sleep (if i don't conciously cut it down I can sleep 12 hours easy).

I have taken supplements in the past including B-12 but it has never seemed to help.

[Anonymous]

I am 32 years old, and I have hypothyroidism and have 6-year-old son. I felt like just like you about a year ago....I would stick with my daily routine (wake-up, go to work, work, eat lunch, go home, sleep) and didn't do anything else. I just had no energy for anything. I was always tired and sleepy. I would go to bed by 8pm just so I didn't have to feel like I'm missing out something....But I started doing exercise a few times a week. That changed me. I also started thinking that what if something bad happens today and today would be my last day....I don't want my son to remember me as a boring mom who always slept and did no fun stuff. So, that's when i started doing more fun stuff, going out on a date with my husband or my son, go shopping with a girlfriend, try on a new receipt for dinner, paint a room in the house, buy flowers, etc. Little by little, I started feeling better....

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you've had blood work done beyond just checking your thyroid function, but have you had a complete physical? I think sometimes because women get their annual GYN exam, they don't actually get a FULL physical.

Assuming that's all okay... You know, you might be a little depressed. I had PPD but totally didn't recognize it because I associate depression with crying all the time. Eventually I got to that point, but for several months, I slept a lot or not at all, my appetite was nil, I couldn't concentrate, I had no energy, and nothing interested me. I never thought that poor concentration and lack of interest could signal depression. Unfortunately, I didn't get help until I was sobbing every day. It's worth checking out.

Whether it's depression or just the doldrums, exposure to nature and sunlight can help. Exercise--even a walk around the block-- can help. Spend time with friends. Social connections are essential to good mental health, as all the new studies show. Do you have good girlfriends?

Do you do anything fun? I think it's easy to organize our lives around our "have to's." Quality leisure is energizing.

[Anonymous]

Have you been tested for Lyme disease?

[Anonymous]

How about working out? It really does wonders for your energy level, and even helps with mild depression. I would try working out really good, about 1 hour a day, at least 5 days a week. Walking is not working out, go to the gym and get a personal trainer or join a class, spinning is great. I really would be surprised if this did not help. And although it seems like it would take more energy than you have right now, exercise does increase energy levels. good luck

[Anonymous]

OP here - I will take the excercise advice into mind. I wouldn't think this is PPD since my kid is 5 & I haven't had any other kids. The truth is I am about to be transplanted into D.C. (Feb 16 is when I will be arriving) & I am hoping the change in scenery & starting a new job will jolt me out of the doldurms - but there is the fear in me that if its something internal then just changing the scenery won't solve anything.

The blood work I had done was a full spectrum of checking my iron, cholestrol, etc. My mother also suggested the excercise (she is also hypothyroid & has been for nearly 30 years which means she has experience). The truth is I do remember her sleeping a lot when I was growing up. I know she would nap at least once or twice during the day - but she always managed to keep the house clean, cook, etc sometimes I feel apathetic that I don't do as much as she did.

Again within a month or so I will try to do the personal trainer thing when I have a better handle on the initial expense of moving behind me.

As far as lyme disease I should probably have a look into it just in case but doesn't that also come with physical symptoms?

[Anonymous]

Over the last couple years I have improved my physical condition from: no sleep, bad digestion, overweight, high-cholesterol (220), low energy, colds/flus, etc. It took a variety of steps, but it was so worth the commitment! First I took care of my home by replacing most of my "caustic" personal care, cleaning and skin-care/cosmetic products with natural based and eco-friendly ones. Then I worked on the food intake by using great vitamins and other supplements (antioxidants, probiotics, grapeseed extract, omega 3s etc), eat "diabetically" (though I am not) - 6 small meals plus cut out white sugar, cooking more from scratch rather than from boxes (I found a great and convenient menu-mailer). Now I work with a holistic food counselor (she is awesome) and we are tweaking my food plan even more. My new physical condition is a weight loss of 50 pounds, cholesterol of 165, tons more energy and I am sleeping so much better! I even have enough energy to add some more regular exercise - another huge boost. What is truly amazing is that my outlook on life and my relationships are even improving, who knew? I'd be happy to give you some resources/referrals if you'd like 240.472.6832

[Anonymous]

Lyme disease doesn't always have physical symptoms--if you read the post website, there was a poster on Weingarten's chat (he is full of bizarre medical knowledge as a result of being an extreme hypochondriac most of his life, so the talk often turns to medical stuff) this week who was just dragging, and was diagnosed with lyme. A friend of mine was also diagnosed with it after doctors couldn't figure out her fatigue, etc. for a long time. I think there is a conclusive blood test for it now.

One thing I tried, and it worked, was taking SAM-e supplements. My doctor recommended them for mild depression/lack of energy after my bloodwork came back fine. You take 200 mg 20 minutes before eating in the morning for the first week or two, then go up to 400 mg. I felt like it helped, but then we decided to start trying to get pregnant so I stopped, since it hasn't been studied for pregnancy.