No Energy Taking a Toll on Me

Updated on July 27, 2009
H.S. asks from Kings Mills, OH
7 answers

I've always loved getting feedback on here for issues with my children, however, today it's all about me. I've had problems falling asleep since I had my son a year ago. He sleeps 11 hours a night peacefully, so there's no problem there. I have found that I'm becoming dependent on taking Benedryl or Tylenol PM every single night to get to sleep. If I don't take anything, it takes me hours upon hours to fall asleep. I realize these OTC meds aren't habit forming, but I'm not sure if theres any effects on my system that are negative. I've taken it nightly for 6 months. I happily get 7-8 hours of sleep. I need to stop taking it though! I think it may be affecting me throughout the day as well. I'm tired all day! I'm not a 6 caffinated drinks a day kind of gal, but I do have a coffee or soda each day around 1-2pm (which is when I am most tired). I don't know alot about more natural energizers, guarana, and such ingredients that are listed on some things that advertise increased energy. Can anyone tell me what they use as a "pick me up"? I've got to end this cycle I'm in. I desperately want to be pleasant throughout the day, and sleep well at night without taking anything! It's depressing!

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K.R.

answers from Dayton on

Have you had your thyroid, hormones or adrenals checked out lately? After the birth of my daughter, I had phases of these symptoms and decided to get it checked out. Sure enough, thyroid problem. It might be worth checking. Also, a natural substance I heard on the Dr.s that women use to go to sleep is rosemary. A few things that I have tried, which help jump start metabolism are cinnamon and cayenne pepper flakes, or the real deal too. Hope this helps and hope you get to feeling better!

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D.L.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi H.,

I would suggest that you ask your doctor to do a blood workup, and include a test for Vitamin D.
I was suffering from extreme fatigue last fall - a cup of coffee in the afternoon would knock me out, rather than perk me up! My doctor ran some blood work and - long story short - discovered that I was extremely deficient in Vitamin D. This despite the fact that I was getting plenty of sun every single day by walking for 2 hours with my grandson, and drinking milk.
She said that she had routinely started screening all of her female patients for Vitamin D and discovered that one out of two were deficient!
She put me on 4000 I.U. of vitamin D-3 supplements every day for 8 weeks, then scaled back to 1000 I.U. My levels went back to the normal range, and the fatigue passed.
Vitamin D deficiency can cause a host of other problems, including sleeplessness and loss of bone calcium. It won't hurt to have it checked.

D.

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J.R.

answers from Cleveland on

H.,
Try talking to your doctor, you could be tired for a number of reasons. Your iron might be low, pay attention on the days that you eat red meat and the days to follow. Also, your system may be low on vitamin b a crucial vitamin needed for energy. These will also regulate the tired not tired that you are experiencing

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N.K.

answers from Cincinnati on

I had insomnia for a couple years due to some things that happened in my life, I was terrified to sleep. I started talking Simply Sleep which is made by Tylenol, it had no rough side effects, like being sleepy in the morning. I could take it after a late night out with friends about 2am and still wake up at 8 for work. I know Benedryl kills me, my fiance takes it often for allergies and about never wakes up in the morning. Tylenol PM is also a little stronger, I dont remember trying that. I know you don't want to take anything but while you are I'd try the Simply Sleep. I would also talk to the doctor, it could be something simple. My doctor said part of my no energy during the day was from an iron deficency, it was since as simple as buying otc iron pills. To try to increase your energy during the day, step out in the sun for a few minutes, I've read that tanning for 5 minutes or stepping out in the sun is an instant energy boost, I know tanning always started my morning, before being pregnant the past 2 years =) Do you drink orange juice? Or anything with Vitamin C? I love my grapefruit juice in the morning it always picks me up. Good luck, but I would get in to see a doctor and have them do a full blood workup.

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C.S.

answers from Cleveland on

You didn't mention it, but make sure that you are taking a multivitamin with your breakfast. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and mixing in lots of fruits and veggies. I have trouble sleeping when there is something on my mind. I have heard that it is helpful for some people to keep a journal or a notebook beside their bed to write down thoughts, so they aren't laying awake thinking about things. Cut out the caffeine entirely. The first few days will be rough, but it will help.

There are a lot of things you can try, but try to stay away from the pills, or like you have learned, you can become reliant on them! Good luck! There is nothing worse than not getting a good nights sleep!

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B.R.

answers from Columbus on

H.,

If you're getting enough sleep at nigh and you're busy enough during the day taking care of your kids and working, you should be tired and able to sleep at night. So...could there be another reason? Have you had a check up lately? For diabetes, thyroid, anemia, etc.? Are you depressed? When you try to sleep without the otc meds, does your mind keep thinking about things and you just can't turn it off? What other worries do you have? Do you have any other symptoms?

If there's no other underlying medical reason, have you heard of COQ10 from PUrity products? I haven't tried it myself yet, but I just sent for their free bottle. It's 7.95 s & h, but the stuff costs much more than that, so it's a good deal to try it. Maybe others here have tried it and can give their opinion.

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S.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

Why aren't you falling asleep? Is your mind still racing from the day, is your bed uncomfortable, does your husband snore, are you it pain? You need to get to root of the sleep problem before it can be properly treated. I would talk to your doctor. I know those OTC meds say they aren't habit forming, but they are, just not physically. I bet if you try to go to bed with out taking some type of medicine, you lay awake and think "I'm never going to get to sleep with out my Tylenol!" or something similar. I'm not saying you're addicted to meds, but they certainly aren't treating the problem in the first place. IMO 6 months it way too long to be taking something that's not prescribed by a doc. I would definitely consult your doc. They should be able to run some fairly simple tests and figure out what is going on. Good luck to you! Being sleep deprived is no fun!

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