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?!