Tiredness

Like others on here, I sleep very badly, always waking up at least 3 times in the night and more often than not about 5-6 times. I don't always get back off to sleep quickly either, so although I might be in bed from, say, 11.00 till 7.30, I've probably only had about 5 hours sleep. Consequently I tire very easily during the day, not helped by the fact that anything involving standing (most things housework-wise!!) is very difficult because of painful feet. And I think that when you're in pain, this in itself can be tiring. So, yes, I do occasionally give in and have an afternoon nap, but on the whole I try to avoid it for fear of being even more wakeful during the night!

I've always put mine down to being used to a siesta in a past life

All my friends of similar ages (65 - 73) complain of feeling tired during the day: I think it's normal.

I have a nap whenever i feel the need. Even when I was working i would have a 10 min zzz at lunchtime. Go with your body.

I find if I have a proper meal at lunchtime I want a nap but either not eating or eating a very small amount with no carbs and I am much better. When we are on a long car journey I rarely eat anything or I am dozey. The doctor adjusted my blood pressure medication and I now take one at night - Rilmenidine - it has a tendency to make you sleepy - this is great as I find I am sleeping a lot longer during the night now

It amazes me that anyone can actually sleep for 10 minutes! It takes me about an hour to drop off at night, never mind during the day.

I am borderline diabetic. The only symptom I had was tiredness, which I put down to getting older. I am 71. So if you go to the doctor's , do ask for a blood test.

Worth checking your thyroid and also blood sugar. And perhaps try taking a small does of magnesium daily and see if that helps.

I always have an a nap at 4 pm, especially if I am off out. I settle down In a comfy chair and listen to the radio and have 15 mins. If I don't, and then go out, I am half asleep all night.
Churchill had power naps and so I feel that I am in good company. Absolutely no need to feel guilty.

Honeypot - Sweetie, I'm the same age and I expect at least another 20 or so years. Have a nap. The rest of Europe (except Germany) have siestas. It is amazingly good for you. Is there any reason why you shouldn't have a nap? Never mind 10 minutes - have an hour. You will feel better and live longer. Why do you feel guilty? When I retired I threw the alarm clock away (got it back because we all have times when we need to get up at a set time) and decided to sleep when I wanted through during the day.

I wonder how long it is since you stopped looking after your husband? Caring is the most exhausting thing there is and in my experience, the exhaustion of caring for my mother lasted for 2 or 3 years.

Take care of yourself and put a good afternoon sleep into your daily routine. x

I think tiredness can be down to boredom. I never feel my usual afternoon tiredness when I'm out anywhere.

'Motivational tiredness'. It's amazing how much energy I can summon up when something really interesting happens!Having said that, before I retired I always had an afternoon catnap [must point out I only worked in the morning].

I am younger than you I am like some of posters feel tired after a carb lunch I don't sleep through night (sound like a baby) if I am home and feel sleepy I sit and close my eyes sometimes drop off but usually just have quiet time which makes me feel better ?

I would recommend seeing your GP and asking to get your vitamin D levels checked, this has happened to me for the last three years and course of prescribed vitamin D tablets soon makes a difference

Jinglebell is right , If I am out I don`t feel tired . I often fall asleep in the afternoon for about half an hour if I am at home and not busy . I do wake up anytime between 5-6 am unfortunately .

DH usually has a sleep either early afternoons or evenings (aged 70). He is a night bird and functions much better later in the evening. I'm a relative lark and get up between 6.00 and 7.00 generally speaking, whilst going to bed at 9.00pm to read for a bit and then sleep. I dare not kip in the afternoon as I wake up feeling very grumpy and tired. Just go with your body and don't be concerned if otherwise your health is good.

I would say, if it's worrying you, then have a word with your Doc, a quick blood test would rule out any deficiencies, some you may not even have thought of. My doctor found I was seriously deficient in Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin D, Iron and my red cell count was so low I'd to have a blood transfusion. I've since been diagnosed with Crohn's disease, to put it bluntly, in one end and out the other! Seriously though, your doctor won't mind putting your mind at rest, if he's worth his salt

Definitely ask for a blood test especially if you have other symptoms too, you have nothing to lose by it. At least it may rule out anaemia or low thyroid. I'm a 'lark' and get up at 6.00 am, sometimes need a power nap but not every day. I also have injections every 3 months for pernicious anaemia but that isn't the same as iron deficiency anaemia. I do find after 2 months though I get more tired, but everyone is different. At our GP's practice we have an annual revue over 65 which is good for picking up anything that might be wrong.