How to Beat Extreme Fatigue and "The Blues"

Updated on December 26, 2010
A.C. asks from Morehead, KY
9 answers

The last 3 weeks I have been becoming increasingly fatigued and emotional. I need some advice on how to get through this.

This is not just normal tiredness; I almost feel like I am on Bendryl a lot of the time. I feel foggy, I occasionally slur my words, and a few days ago I dozed off while I was putting on my makeup. Yesterday, after a full 8 hours of sleep, I worked (from home) for 4 hours and then was so exhausted I couldn't do anything else but sleep for 2 hours. After that I got up, did a workout, picked up the house, worked 4 more hours. About 2 hours into my shift I was already going cross-eyed with exhaustion. This is totally not normal for me. I also have felt like I am on the verge of crying all the time.

I have a hunch that this may be due to having my Mirena IUD removed 4 weeks ago, because before that I felt fine, and I have read online that a lot of people have suffered a "crash" with fatigue and depression after getting Mirena out. I have not had any changes in life recently, all our Christmas shopping and parties are done and we are just staying home with the kids instead of traveling this year. So, I guess it could be winter blues or holiday stress, but I doubt it. I have not made any major changes in eating. I eat very healthy meals and consume about 1500-1700 calories a day. I exercise 45 min-1.5 hours a day 5 days a week and I do get a burst of energy afterward but it is not lasting me through the day like it used to. I have started taking vitamin D this week. If this keeps lasting I will go to the doc after the holidays, but I would love some ideas on how to beat the fatigue and that crying feeling in the meantime.

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So What Happened?

Thank you for all the suggestions! Looking back, I actually started drinking diet Pepsi about mid November. Before that I had never drank diet soda. I am giving up all soda immediately! I will keep you posted on what happens.

*Added on:
So I have not had soda for almost 2 weeks now. I also cut out coffee and caffeine of any kind 4 days ago. I was already working out regularly but I amped up my workout to 1.5 hours a day 5 days a week. I started taking B vitamins and vitamin D. I also realized that because I was feeling so down and tired, I was not opening the curtains anymore and I think that makes it worse! So I have been letting the sun in. I have been eating only whole foods since Sunday. A lot of changes but I am feeling good. I haven't needed to take a nap for about a week and I haven't felt like crying for about a week. I think things are going up from here :)

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M.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Could you be pregnant? Thats exactly how I felt in first few weeks of pregnancy. I slept 12 hrs and would wake up tired and geeezzz the crying! I would cry at the FUNNY show of "Reba"... Merry Christmas!

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K.M.

answers from Chicago on

b-12 ... it really helps but get a GOOD one not just a cheapy B-12 vitamin.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.O.

answers from Grand Junction on

Myself and a girlfriend of mine felt/still feel the same way after having our mirenas removed. It for sure messes with your hormones. I keep hearing more and more about this and for some women it takes a couple months for their body to get back to normal where others are years. Every month I am super emotional, want to cry, tired, feel pregnant, sore breast, breakouts. Everything you can imagine, 10 times worse after the mirena was removed. Sorry... and good luck. I would recommend you chat with your OB. :)

A.H.

answers from San Francisco on

Slurring your words and falling asleep while putting on make up after a good night's sleep are red flag warning signs. Please get medical attention asap!

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S.T.

answers from Provo on

B-12 definitely helps out, just keep it in your system. I have the Mirena IUD as well and I actually have been fighting this since I got it in. I hope you can find something that works. Sorry Im not much help. Let us know how it all turns out!

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L.E.

answers from Provo on

get a full panel thyroid test done. low thyroid causes all these symptoms. and it's faster to discover if thyroid is the problem than to take antidepressants or hormone birth controls. also, if you are pregnant, low thyroid can make it so much harder. so get it checked.

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J.P.

answers from Salt Lake City on

As I was doing a research project on the effects of aspartame, this totally described one of the guys I interviewed. He was diagnosed with diabetes and his MD told him to use aspartame to sweeten his coffee and everything else, needless to say, most people have a very bad reaction to it. It is poison and can cause brain tumors. They caught his too late. Make sure you don't have anything with aspartame in your house. Diet sodas would have the most in it. The other comments are really worth looking into as well. Vitamin B's I call the B happy vitamins.

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J.M.

answers from Boston on

Any chance you could be pregnant? That was how I felt with both of mine.

That's all I got for now. Otherwise, do check with your doc sooner rather than later - as you know, this isn't normal.

Good luck!

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P.W.

answers from San Francisco on

Have your thyroid tested also. Low thyroid can cause these symptoms.

In the meantime -- vigorous exercise!!

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