Question for you fine folks.
I feel sick all the time.
All the time.
I feel run down, fatigued. I can’t concentrate.
I’m taking Wellbutrin again, I’ve started taking a vitamin and B12 dots and I’m trying to drink water because I know I am dehydrated (the veins in my hands are sticking up..eww). I have a hard time drinking water for some reason. I mean seriously, I don’t drink water. Like ever. Isn’t that horrible?
So I’m drinking water. I’ve had one glass already today, which is a 100% improvement from the past…well, let’s say every single day since I got out of the Marine Corps.
I’ve recently read some posts about things people do to feel better (although I don’t have links because this is the second time I’ve tried to write this post and the computer locked up and I lost the links.) I’ve read that people are exercising and that people are cutting out sugars.
I’m thinking about joining the new 24 hour gym. But I worry that if I go to the gym, I will take time away from working. But hell, I’m not working. I’m sitting here thinking about working and not being able to.
So do you guys feel like shit 90% of the time? I am having a horrible time sleeping too. I sleep but I have crazy ass dreams and feel horrible in the morning. What do you do to feel energetic? Do I have ADHD? How do you force yourself to drink water? Have you cut out sugars in your diet? Would I go nuts if I cut out sugars? Why do I keep getting these damn stys in my eye? Do you know that you can make up a good poem about stys in your eyes? Well not a good poem, but one that goes on for a long time? Why do they call it a sty anyway? When will Geo fix the downstairs bathroom? Is it bad that I have had to go to the bathroom from drinking this glass of water but I don’t have the motivation to go upstairs? What is wrong with me? Is something wrong with you too?
Talk to me.
January 16th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
When I was anxious all the time, I stopped drinking coffee (for the most part, I couldn’t stop completely), I cut back on sugar, I went for long walks a few times a week (can’t handle the gym) and drank more water. I don’t know that this helped my anxiety, but I did feel a lot better physically, which made me feel like I had better control of my life and brightened my whole world.
January 16th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Sleep adequate amounts of sleep help me. I’ve started playing a cd with ocean waves to help me falls asleep. I also go to sleep around the same time. It’s amazing how sleep has helped.
That’s all I have.
January 16th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Your funny. Yea drinking water sucks but it did make me feel a lot better when I was doing it. I just forced myself to down 9 glasses a day. I havent done it in 4 months. But im trying to get back to it. The gym helps too. You have someone to watch bug while you go? Or will she be tagging along. Might be good for her too.
January 16th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
exercise really helps. I find that I am shaky afterwards for about 30 minutes, but then I get alot of energy for the rest of the day.
A good night’s sleep would be wonderful, but the kids don’t let me…
Why not try to gym. See if they have a trial period and see what’s up with it?
January 16th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
No, I don’t think you ought to feel bad 90% of the time.
Water and sleep are the two best things in my opinion, but I don’t really have any tips on how to make it easier for you to get them. Sorry.
January 16th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Stress makes me feel like that, and I’m under a lot of stress lately. I have no idea what to do for it, so I’m reading other’s suggestions
lol
I DO know that your body needs sugar. Try to stick to natural sugars, like those in fruit, and stay away from soft drinks.
I couldn’t drink water. Propel broke me of that though, and having my wisdom teeth out. Bottled water is easier to drink than tap, IMO. Buy a huge case of aquafina and try finishing that. Even better, sam’s water from walmart. Very inexpensive and comes in these huuuuuge cases.
January 16th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
DoctorMama says don’t stress about drinking water, unless you are actually thirsty. She’s posted about it more than twice. That said, I’m always thirsty, so I drink a lot of water.
Things that have helped me in the past were yoga, some kind of activity (taking walks, going to the gym, swimming, whatever I was up to doing at the time), getting enough sleep (I used to listen to the ocean waves tape too). But I could never *force* myself to do any of those things just because they were supposed to be good; it was more like I finally felt like I *had* to move my legs and take a walk so I did.
January 16th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
I find that exercising just a little is a good thing. Grand plans about joining the gym and working out are fine, but just walking around the block whenever you feel like you are falling asleep at your desk is a good thing.
Just try to move a little bit more than you do now.
Just a little.
January 16th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Add Crystal Light to water - adds very few calories and helps you get it down if you’re not a water drinker. And Yoga is the best!
January 16th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Boy, you hit this on quite the day for me. I’ve wondered if you’re ADHD. Apparently I’m so bad, my biofeedback PhD is ready to give up on me. I’ve been crying all day, trying not to give up on myself.
January 16th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Check the thyroid. Something common and easy to rule out.
January 16th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Water, water, water. And, have you tried a mercury detox? Check out waiora.com for one that is NOT a chelation.
January 16th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
I exercise for 30 minutes first thing in the morning and it helps me wake up, gives me more energy, etc. I used to belong to the gym, but it’s hard to go when you work and have a child, so I bought home equipment. Also, Fruit 2 0. Flavored water. It’s the only way I can drink it. Just don’t like water much.
January 16th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
I have been taking Vitamin D, Fish Oil, and a multivitamin. I know that I feel much better when I do take it then when I don’t.
It’s worth a try
January 16th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
I am so sorry that you’re not feeling well, and so consistently.
Ruling out organic abnormalities, Diet/Sleep/Exercise are the three primary focuses. Even if there is a ‘physical’ reason for your general yucky feeling, those three things will be examined in addition to other options.
Stressors are important as well, but the residual stress that exists after cutting out unnecessary stress will best be dealt with by managing Diet/Sleep/Exercise.
Sorry to be redundant, but that’s what I know. As far as specifics- there are so many variables from person to person, that I am hesitant to say, “try this and it will work!”
But, as some fellow commenters have posted, vitamins have been known to be helpful. B vitamins, especially (there are a bunch of them). This includes Folate (Folic Acid) - when lacking may contribute to tiredness.
Other possibilities:
Biotin assists with energy production and managing blood sugar levels (which when out of whack, can really increase malaise).
Vitamin C promotes a healthy appetite, assists in iron absorption, and is (obviously) an antioxidant. Vitamin C is also reported to protect cells from the effects of damaging free radicals- all of which is to say that it helps you stay healthy, or get healthy if you’re not. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and promotes cellular health. It assists with healing (hence all of the oils, lotions, and face creams enhanced with Vitamin E). There are others, of course, but in all honesty, a clean multivitamin would help if you decide to try supplements.
I didn’t just happen to know this. Just a few months ago, I had to do my own research on what I might try to help myself feel better. These are some high points from my notebooks.
Could you be allergic to something in your environment? I know that you just moved, but allergens affect people in so many different ways. But, allergy testing may be an option.
Goodness, that was lengthy. Sorry.
I hope you’re able to find something helpful out of all of our input. At least know that we care enough to give it a shot.
January 16th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
First of all, Vitamin Water, Vitamin Water, Vitamin Water. It’s delish. And it’s water. With vitamins.
Also, have you ever had your thyroid checked? I feel very much like what you’ve describe here most of the time and people have suggested I get my thyroid checked. I haven’t done it yet, mostly because I’m a lazy bastard, but it sounds like it could be a good idea when I look it up on WebMD. Hope something works for you!
January 16th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
The two biggest things for me are sleep and nutrition. I hate to waste time sleeping (the middle of the night is my time, dang it!) but I can definitely feel the difference after a couple of nights of 7-8 hours’ sleep. Same with food; a few days of just eating more vegetables and protein always makes me feel better.
Sometimes when I’m feeling really run down and miserable, I treat myself as if I’m sick, even though I’m not really. I wait until the child is in bed, and then I do all the things I’d do if I were sick: put on my PJs, eat soup and crackers, drink tea, get in bed early to read and watch movies. It’s kind of like mothering myself for the evening — very reassuring.
January 16th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
exercise and/or sex…
and go to the doctor to rule out medical reasons for your problems
January 17th, 2007 at 12:26 am
I’ve found I can’t sleep if I take a B vitamins or a multivitamin at night. It gives me insane amounts of energy. I’m not sure if it’s because I tend to run low on B vitamins or if it happens to everybody, but it is quite noticeable.
As for the rest, I echo the suggestion to get a good checkup to make sure it’s not physical, you’ve had a lot of stress and change in the past year. It wouldn’t hurt if money/insurance isn’t an issue to get a referral to someone who can do a psych evaluation, find out if it is ADD, depression again, anxiety, adjustment to all the change or something else entirely. Taking care of yourself with sleep, exercise, good food, is a wonderful idea as well.
January 17th, 2007 at 2:06 am
When I was feeling consistantly down, I got some iron suplements and felt much better. Multivitamins help some too if you don’t already take them.
As to drinking more water… herbal tea counts as water, have water to drink with your meals, drink some after you bursh your teeth. Use a 16 oz bottle to measure, if you drink one of those with lunch and one with dinner, you’re halfway there.
January 17th, 2007 at 3:01 am
Just to counter the concept that you don’t need water if you’re not thirsty…the thirst signal doesn’t kick in until you’re already dehydrated. Therefore, you’re just bouncing around from really dehydrated to kinda dehydrated, rather than staying hydrated. That’s what most people do and it doesn’t work.
Get a filter for your faucet. It will greatly improve the taste. Adding other things can be helpful, but if they have chemicals in them you’re still introducing things that need to be flushed from your system later. So it’s counter productive. But if you don’t drink much water, even with a filter, then it’s more important to get water in your system. You can also try bribing yourself. Drink a glass after having a soda. It’s better for your system, and you still got to have your soda.
Honestly, sugar may not be the most troublesome in your diet. If you can gut out wheat and wheat gluten and unnecessary sugar you will feel a difference. Literally within 2 days your gut will feel completely different. Basically, you don’t want to mix red meat with starches. You want to have lightly cooked fresh veggies at each meal. And avoid wheat. Look up some gluten free meals that sound interesting. It’s not as difficult as it sounds, and if you use lots of different veggies or different kinds of potatoes for instance, you won’t feel like you’re missing out.
But it takes time to make food, and we tend to get too busy to keep it up. It’s always good to try though
January 17th, 2007 at 3:03 am
Whatever you do, don’t stop the sugars! They truly are a girl’s best friend.
January 17th, 2007 at 3:28 am
Hiya. Wow. Lots of advice. I don’t think it is normal or good to feel shitty 90% of the time. But I have found that things you “should” do don’t last, make you feel resentful, and guilty etc. Make things enjoyable. I don’t drink water much except in summer or when exercising (dry mouth), but I DO chaindrink liquids while I work: postum, peppermint tea, black tea, ice tea and gatorade (both from powder put in water) in the summer. For relaxation time, hot chocolate, milk heated with dry decaf coffee in it, chicken in a mug. Eat soups for lunch. Put milk on your cereal in the morning or drink juice with toast. There are a LOT of ways to get more water in your diet enjoyably. Eat watermelon and other juicy fruit.
I started buying a few fruits (not twelve apples, but like one apple, two pears, a banana, a mango, a kiwi, two plums etc), washing them all when I get home from the store, and leaving them on the counter. Complex sugars, tons of vitamins and water, and when they are washed and out, you will just pick one up in passing and snack on it, instead of looking in the fridge or cupboards.
I started doing a brisk walk every morning when I get up before breakfast. Totally makes me feel better. Oh, and I do some stretches in my back while in bed BEFORE I get up. Breakfast EVERY morning (with whole grains and fruit… mmmm!). When I had the dog, SHE was the main motivator for me to get out. Now I do exercise in front of a movie I’ve rented, or a tv show I want to watch (it is the treat for doing the exercise… don’t watch it sitting on the couch. Shut off the movie when the exercise is done and continue the movie the next day or two days later when you exercise again). I do some cardio (dancing in the livingroom is great too!) and some stretches, and some yoga (makes you feel like your creaking rusty body was oiled!) and some weights (upper body strength). Make it fun. I am the shits at going to a gym. I start out great and peter out, and then just avoid it. Alternatively classes that get you out of the house: indoor climbing, aerobics etc.
YES enough sleep. Make it a ritual: like how you would wind down a little kid by bath, story, bed. I sometimes do yoga, then slow bath, then read in bed with a chamomile tea, or something small to eat (I sleep better if my stomach isn’t empty). Then I fall asleep well, when I am tired of reading.
But routine is the thing. Apparently having a routine helps stick to things, but helps a LOT when you are depressive, or anxious. ALWAYS walk before your breakfast that you ALWAYS eat. ALWAYS do stretches while watching Grey’s Anatomy. ALWAYS have an herbal tea in bed while reading your fave magazine. Even if it is only three minutes. The more you give the body a routine, the more you’ll be regularly hungry, regularly waking up, regularly tired etc. And stuff like the diet/exercise/sleep becomes a real automatic habit, instead of work you have to consciously think about. It is relaxing to be on automatic. But vary within the routine: different route for the walk, different fruit on the breakfast, different herbal tea and new book at bed.
Well, dang, listen to me, Ms “How To Run Your Life”. But those are just things that help me, and make my life less insane, keep me healthy, and make me feel less chaotic and rudderless. I hope you feel better soon.
(ps, treat yourself to a good chocolate and a day off here and there!)
January 17th, 2007 at 3:41 am
Drink water. Get your thyroid checked.
January 17th, 2007 at 3:57 am
Hey, delurking for the first time. Has your doctor ever ruled out fibromyalgia? I had some really similar problems with fatigue, lack of concentration and unrefreshing sleep and a combination of diet changes, medication ans physical therapy after diagnosis made a HUGE difference. Feel free to e-mail if you want more info.
January 17th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Only one person mentioned iron. I found out recently that I’m anemic and my doctor said to take iron. I personally feel a little better when I take iron, but then I get constipated and I’d rather be anemic than constipated. She also said I could take it with a stool softener, but that never worked for me. Being that you’re small in stature (I assume from your own descriptions) and anemia is fairly common among smaller people. You should get a blood test done to be sure though, in fact a simple blood test could pin point or at the very least rule out, a lot of the possibilities.
January 17th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Hi there… a ton of good things to think about, but I think the very FIRST thing for you to remember is baby steps. Just like Flylady says with cleaning, you need to take baby steps when it comes to getting to better health, too, otherwise you’ll burn out and give up. I’d focus on one thing to start with and change that and see if your mood/feelings/health improves - and I’d proabaly start with sleep or food. Like a previous commenter said, Dr. Mama debunked the 8 glasses of water a day myth, as long as you’re getting enough fluids in other ways. So, I’d suggest either trying to get a good night’s sleep, or introducing more leafy green veggies into your diet (the leafy greens have the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that most others here have advised). If that really seems to be helping (and we’re talking like after a week… it won’t happen in a day or two) then add something else, like more sleep or a good walk during the day.
Going to a doctor can’t hurt… but if your experience is anything like mine (and your stories about some segments of your VA hospital sounds like it is) they’re simply going to suggest starting with these things first before really getting in-depth to possible medical causes.
January 18th, 2007 at 2:46 am
Wow that’s a lot of good advice! Have you tried any of these ideas? What works for you? In the past ten years I have found out I am ADD, dyslexic, Celiac (can’t digest wheat gluten) and I quit smoking. I eat way better and manage stress much better. I feel tons better than I ever used to feel. But now I have little kids again so I don’t get enough sleep…. it’s always something.
January 18th, 2007 at 6:01 am
Late to the party here, but you know the issues I’ve had with my thyroid, so you know what I’m going to say, !!!
And since you are a normal person, you might even get a diagnosis, lucky thing.
Blood tests - TSH, free T3, free T4, ferritin levels for iron, white count (all cheap easy tests)
Then, change the filter on your furnace and air cleaner - new house, I guarantee something is circulating making you feel crappy.
As for the sty, you are reinfecting yourself over and over again. Spray lysol on your doorknobs, and your light switches, and your keyboard. Wash your hands twice as much as you are doing already.
And no you don’t have ADD…it’s a dark crappy January all over the northeast. You need some sun in the morning to reset your circadian rhythm.
Plus if you take Wellbutrin at night, a well known side effect is disturbed sleep. Take it in the am for the 24 hour kind, or am & late afternoon for the twice a day, NOT right before bed.
And yes, I’m hugging you through cyberspace.
January 18th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
i can’t wait to come back and read everyone else’s comments, but…
yes, i am exhausted about 80% of the time. i am going to go get checked because it could be a thyroid or other problem such as anemia. but i hate going to the doctor and am therefore putting it off.
alas, exercise, enough rest, enough sleep (sleep and rest ar different), getting enough and the right things to eat (and taking a *quality* multivitamin) are important!!
January 19th, 2007 at 12:50 am
mabey you have a thyroid problem. i know how it feels to feel like shit all the time. i would suggest going to the doctor and getting blood drawn then tested. the only way out is through my friend!
October 21st, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Have you talked to your doctor? Sounds like maybe Chronic Fatigue? I have it and feel sick and tired all the time.