Energy or lack of it !

It looks as though no-one's had the energy to reply to this post yet

I have very little energy a lot of the time, so if anyone comes up with some tips for you, NanKate, I will be all ears. Or perhaps that should be eyes...

It's a difficult question to reply to because I wouldn't want to give anyone advice that may not be right for them.

All I can say that is last autumn I was exhausted and couldn't get through the day without falling asleep after lunch for sometimes well over an hour!

I won't go into details about why my body acted as though it had hit an invisible wall but the first thing I did was make some changes to my diet.
I cut out wheat products and was surprised how much better I felt in quite a short time. Spurred on by this I am now on a low carb diet and avoid sugar wherever possible. I eat lots of vegetables and protein but not much fruit because I was also developing IBS symptoms. That has now disappeared as well.

All my energy has returned. I know the better weather will be having a lot to do with it but just being able to accomplish more every day is wonderful.

I think looking at your diet can often be a step in the right direction and can't do any harm.

Hope you soon feel a lot better. It's horrible being tired all the time.

Me too. Lack of energy, which I put down to insomnia, restles legs/arms syndrome and fibromyalgia. Bearing in mind that I was on high dose steroids for two years and put on 20 pounds.

However, I have heard before about wheat and lethargy and indeed I am a bread lover.

It's interesting what you say Merlot about a change in diet. My D in L is cutting down on sugar and has definitely benefited.

I do make sure I have a brisk walk every morning this is my best time of day, but the afternoons and evenings are much less active.

I think a change of diet is worth trying, thanks.

Like you NanKate, I also have an under active thyroid and by the way your exercise patterns are similar to mine. I think there are quite a few of us on GN with UAT which isn't surprising for our age group,I believe there is a propensity towards this condition among women of menopausal and post menopause age. I'm taking 125 mcg a day. I have had depleted energy levels ever since I was diagnosed in my mid 40s I do try and push myself to walk and go to the gym because I know I'm prone to lethargy. Since I hit the menopause I've experienced the usual hot flushes and bad sleep patterns so that hasn't helped either. I do think eating bread, and occasional cakes can have an adverse effect, so I try to be sparing with both.

I have an energy problem to but its typical in Lupus sufferers. I find keeping to a diet rich in fruit and veg and no processed foods helps but I do get this energy drain at the most inconvenient moments - its as though the battery runs down. I just have to work round it and not be tempted to use artificial energy boosters like caffeine - only a rest will help.

I don't lack energy but I do lack bounce-back factor when I've used up the energy these days.

I can identify with all who are trying to cope with chronic lack of energy - as teetime says it is as though the battery runs down and in my case this can happen without warning. I can be doing some fairly light household chores and suddenly run out of steam and have to abandon them. It is very frustrating. Lack of energy is very common in PD but that doesn't make it easier to accept.
I eat fairly healthily and just have to tailor my activities so that I don't expect too much of myself.

Well - try Feroglobin B12 which includes Iron, folic acid Vit. B12, B6 and Zinc. Give it say 3 months and personally I have found an immense difference.

Also it sounds perverse but exercise increases your stamina over a period of time which as you age is so important. Start gently and gradually increase your puff rate!!

Interesting, whitewave. DH has pernicious anaemia and has a B12 injection every three months. I am always envious as I'd love a 'shot' of instant energy.

I agree about exercise. Walking my dogs and gardening is taking care of that.

I don't find that exercise helps me build up any reserves. I take plenty lots of golf and walks, gardening, housework etc but I don't seem to get any more energy and stamina. Whenever I ask about it ' that's Lupus for you' but no suggestions for how I can improve my reserves. Very frustrating but many are far worse of than me. Younger Lupus sufferers seem to complain of having to stay in bed all day for days at a time on social media!

I don't seem to have lack of energy , I do make sure I go to bed fairly early as I'm awake early so get about 7/8hrs , eat plenty of fruit and veg ,as well as a fairly balanced diet but if I want a bit of cake/chocolate then I have it.
After lunch I usually take at least a half hour walk and swim once or twice a week . So maybe the exercise helps.
As I say I can't say I ever lack energy so I must be doing something right, a lot of people with O/A find they are tired and lethargic but I must be lucky and don't find that. If you have a chronic illness then lack of energy can't be helped I guess and you just have to pace yourself.

I just wish I could sleep through the night - no matter what I do its always fits and starts of a few hours at a time. I'm not complaining really - it could be much worse. in golf there is a saying ' as long as you are the right side of the grass......

I'm inclined to agree diet can be a big factor in energy levels. Like coolgran I have been on steroids for over 3 years because of PMR, and I've put on about 2 stone in this time . Also like coolgran, I do love bread and find it so hard to cut this out of my diet.
Apart from this, I have colon problems (no, not diet related, and not IBS), which means that leaving the house early in the day is a massive no-no, so no early morning brisk walks for me!
OK, so later on in the day? No, because I also have intensely painful feet (currently being investigated) and knees which are well past their use by date. So walking briskly is impossible, and even a gentle stroll is often beyond me, though I try hard not to give into this and will go for a walk whenever I can.
I am currently trying to wean myself off the steroids, and hopefully I will find it easier to diet and lose some of the excess weight, which in turn may help my energy levels. Like so many, I want the end result, but don't relish the willpower and effort required to achieve it .

I have mild ME so often have far less energy than I feel I ought to have. The only way to help myself to maximum energy, given the limiting nature of ME, is to rest more. I used to be able to exert myself through an energy barrier; now I can't or at least, if I do, I'll pay for it later. Bounce back has bounced off

thatbags Same here I had quite a bad relapse in 2013/14 and definitely haven't bounced back from it! I'm not very good at resting and push myself too far, which doesn't help. ME's a b***er, isn't it? SO frustrating

Terribull it rather helps to know that someone else with an under active thyroid finds their energy levels depleted. Sorry if that sounds unkind.

It really annoys me when in the paper medical experts say things like, once you are on the thyroxin things should return to normal. Well they bloomin' well don't.

I am on 150mcg. However when I read some of the other threads about illness I count myself as reasonably lucky health wise.

I will investigate the tablets Whitewave thanks.

I don't lack energy but since I retired five years ago, I lack motivation and have developed a 'I'll do that tomorrow' attitude. I must sort myself out.

I so identify with that KatyK

I don't know what's come over me really! I have never been lazy, always had a routine for housework etc when working and now that I don't need a routine, it's all going to pot

Nankate- I am in the same position as you,I was on 125mcg Thyroxin but the Doctor said my T4 levels were fine so she reduced my dose to 100 mcg.After complaining numerous times the next step she suggested that perhaps it was a side affect of the statins I was taking, I am dropping the statins for 3 months then will have another blood test.Two months have passed but no change so far.It will be interesting to see what happens next month.

It doesn't really matter though does it ? . Enjoy the opportunity to be lazy and relax. After all if you do the housework today it will only need doing again in a few days whereas if you leave it till then you will have gained all this time.

That was a reply toKatyK by the way.