Here’s the thing: I’m tired of being tired all the time.
I don’t know what it’s like to wake up refreshed in the morning, and ready for the day.
I’ve never seemed to have as much energy as others and have always had a bit of a love/hate relationship with sleep. I love it … but I hate that I need so much of it.
Each time I thought I’d found (and treated) the cause, yes, things would improve, but never as much as I’d hoped for.
Causes of Tiredness 1: Glandular Fever
When I was in Year 12, I contracted glandular fever which left me permanently exhausted and struggling to keep up with my school work.
Although I recovered, it seemed to set up a pattern in my life. I was always tired.
Causes of Tiredness 2: Depression
Then I was diagnosed with depression – and one of the symptoms was sleeping all the time. All I wanted to do was hide under the bed covers and sleep my life away!
Thankfully, although life improved greatly once I started treatment, the sleepies were here to stay …
Causes of Tiredness 3: Anemia
About 15 years ago a blood test revealed that I was severely anemic and living with low iron levels. My doctor asked why I hadn’t sought medical help before, if I was tired all the time. Umm, I was a mum of two small children – of course I was tired!
I needed injections and iron supplements – and eventually, had a hysterectomy.
But again, although things did improve, I never seemed to have the energy that others did. In fact, my friends would make fun of my ability to fall asleep anywhere, anytime!
I was embarrassed and tried to hide the fact that I was addicted to naps.
Then I decided that I had nothing to be ashamed of, I was just living in the wrong country 😉 . As I discovered on our Mediterranean cruise, everything shuts down after lunch for the traditional siesta!
Causes of Tiredness 4: Sleep Apnea
So I guess it came as no real surprise recently, to learn that I have sleep apnea.
Whenever I “forget” to breathe, my body has to rouse enough to start breathing again – which basically means I don’t get enough deep sleep.
In hindsight I probably should have realised after my hysterectomy 5 years ago. I stopped breathing in recovery, resulting in emergency intubation – although I knew nothing about it til I woke up in Intensive Care the next day. At the time the an anaesthetist wondered out loud, if I had sleep apnea.
And a couple of months ago the hubster mentioned that I sometimes took a big pause between breaths while I was asleep, which he found fairly alarming!
I didn’t think too much of it, and it was only when I developed an ear infection that I actually went to the doctor. My blood pressure was up so it was time for some tests to be done.
Diagnosis: sleep apnea. Apparently I have an “episode” on average every four minutes while I’m asleep! No wonder I’m tired all the time.
It seems the most effective treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP machine. They don’t come cheap, and it’s not exactly an attractive look at bedtime – but I’m told it will change my life.
Fingers crossed!
What’s been making you tired lately?!
Hi Janet
I have anemia and I’m taking iron tablets (with vitamin C for absorption), but I think my lack of sleep is related to changing hormones!
Lately, I’ve been turning off my mobile phone earlier in the evening to help quiet my brain before bed!
Oh those rotten hormones … they really do knock us around don’t they?!
My Peter is the same and has a machine, Janet. He also has a mini one for travel. A hint he tells me to share is to buy spare parts from the US, it’s much cheaper! (I’m still a little jet-lagged, as we’ve only recently come home after two months in the UK and Hungary). Here’s hoping you’ll now feel more rested, lovely.
Thanks Liz, I had a one week trial and it definitely helped. I’m shopping around online at the moment to get the machine I want at the best price. Looks like I can save about $1000 compared to buying it at the sleep centre where I had the trial/sleep study done.
Oh I hope that the CPAP helps a lot! That’s a lot of things stacked against you energy wise!!!
It sucks but hopefully once I have my CPAP I won’t know myself!
I tried to leave a comment three times yesterday Janet – for some reason my comments tend to disappear on your site every so often (grrrr). I just wanted to say how attractive your new headgear is and that I hope it’s one of the quieter ones (or you husband may end up with the sleeping problems!) I worked for a sleep specialist for a while and CPAP machines were really important tools that he recommended all the time.
It’s very quiet, although if I lie facing him he did say that it blows air on him!
We don’t even realize how important sleep is to our bodies—until we don’t get it, right??
As a retired dentist, I know there are also some mouthpieces that can help with the sleep apnea problem. In fact, one of my knitting friends has one, and swears by it!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Yes I’ve read about them Jodie, but my doctor seemed to think it wouldn’t be enough as I have severe sleep apnea … boooooo
I think I have it too. Scotto is always waking me up because I’m not breathing.
Sounds quite possible … I kind of suspected I had it for ages but didn’t get checked until my blood pressure rocketed. Hopefully CPAP will help get it under control again. When I had the 1 week trial I couldn’t believe how much better I felt … almost makes wearing it worthwhile LOL.
It may not be the most glamorous solution Janet but it is so much more glamorous than being constantly tired. I hope the CPAP really is the solution for you. Me, I’m still looking but I am pretty sure my tiredness is gut related (not getting enough nutrition from my food) so I’m working on that at the moment. There’s always something isn’t there!
I’ve got something from my doctor to help me sleep as I can’t get to sleep otherwise. I take them more often than I should but it’s far better than the alternative for me. (Also they only help me get to sleep and last for a few hours.)