Tiredness

Sorry aggie, did I miss something?

I was like this but tired as soon has I got out of bed . I started taking multi vitamins , primrose oil tablets and when the menopause kick in vitamin B12 . Around five o clock I still begin to yawn but not in desperate need of a nap. I buy asda own brands so it works out to be a rounds 5 pounds a month . I tell you what , its the best 5 pounds I ever spent . I also found cutting down on coffee , not drinking fizzy drinks and drinking more water helped . Good luck and get started on those vitamins , you,ll feel a new woman .

Ps
Have you considered an exercise class at your local leisure centre... contrarily that is a real energy boost as is meeting up with new people.. I’ve begun Pilates at 79 ... wooo hard but exhilarating..

I’d consider blood tests
Also multivitamins
Also a snooze after lunch sometimes is a wonderful pick me up
X

I am 73 years old, and constantly tired. But that is probably because I don’t sleep well.
After looking after dgs, 3yrs old, I feel absolutely knackered.
It’s a horrible feeling of lethargy. I sometimes feel so tired that I feel sick.
I’m sure if I had eight hours a night, it might be different.
I take vitamin D daily too.

I suggest B vitamins also relaxation periods if possible. Check for chronic fatigue.

Are you possibly lacking oestrogen? Menopause can be terribly draining.

I would echo the comments about dehydration. Recently I read that it was advisable to drink a glass of water on waking, before meals and at bedtime. I’ve tried this and, despite extra loo trips in the night, I am sleeping better and feel more alive in the morning. My weight has gone down a little and I’m losing the dark circles under my eyes. (The last two could be due to a reduced intake of alcohol!!)
Bopeep14: you don’t say how many days a week you care for GC. I hope it isn’t full time as that would be draining. I hope you can find a way to reduce that commitment and seek a further consultation with your GP. Take care of yourself.

Are your GC still young enough to have an afternoon nap? If so, sleep when they do. I often feel I need an afternoon nap and think it's common as we get older.

I have an autoimmune disease called PBC (google it) and might well worth be looking at. Otherwise I suggest that you look at your lifestyle, are having a enough me time and do you really need to do all this childcare. As I keep saying we can't be mothers naturally at our age due to a reason and one is we haven't got enough energy

I have started to feel tired in the afternoon,I dont have a stressful life,my blood tests are all normal, so I put it down to getting older, but dont like to admit this, it could be as simple as that, getting older,and then its quite normal to have a little rest/sleep.

Getting plenty of sleep is essential to get rid of tiredness.

May also try small meals or nourishing snacks instead of set main meal times. Plenty of water or similar.

Suggest you read it too Gonegirl

OP has actually said she takes vit D daily. (RTFT )

I can echo the advice regarding Vitamin D and this is the right time of the year to test. Some people have more trouble processing Vitamin D than others so you could be taking a small amount to supplement and it still not be enough.
Are you sleeping properly? Are you getting restive, therapeutic sleep or are you suddenly waking yourself up with a snort? The fatigue for sleep deprivation can be overwhelming.

Thank you all, certainly given me something to think about. ?

Hi, Bopeep.This was me last year.I was working part time, looking after ddc, plus an elderly mum,running a home , Dh did what we could, but we had early 4.30 mornings. I just kept going, then found around 2pm in the afternoon I was so tired I felt sick could rarely eat at teatime, despite cooking a meal .Now a year on dh has retired I no longer look after dgc , their now at school and nursery and I feel so much better .Looking back I don't know how I did it, I'm in my early 60s .Try and cut down where you can and be kind to yourself.Hope you feel better soon.

Lots of factors to consider.

Dehydration can make you tired. Are you drinking enough fluids? Try having a couple more cups of tea a day, it can be easy to go without when you’re buzy.

Are you overweight? Did the GP test you blood sugar? A diet rich on carbs can cause tiredness. Perhaps less carbs and a bit more protein might help.

What about your quality of sleep? Are you worried or anxious? Or bored?

Lovely though they are GC can be wearing and perhaps you need some adult company during the day. Is there a Play and Stay Group near you where you can meet other adults while they play?

Also I’d ask your GP what tests were carried out and see if there is more investigation to be done? Thyroid springs to mind.

Or perhaps it’s the time of year. I always feel more invigorated during the summer months.

Hope you feel better soon.

It's perfectly normal to feel tired after lunch, and quite in order to have a nap. Think of the siestas our European cousins have, it's part of the days routine. It isn't an indulgence.

I remember the awful tiredness when I was pregnant but that was because I was anemic, a tiredness unlike any other, absolutely no energy to move, dreadful feeling. But as you have had all the blood tests I would say just exhaustion from looking after your DGC. But I would still have a word with the GP.

I took prescription strength VitaminD daily and it still wasn't enough. No-one suspected that was the problem.

There could be a number of reasons for your tiredness.
Would you not consider seeing your GP, even if it takes weeks to get an appointment?

Thank you for all your thoughts, it’s definitely not vitamin D deficiency as I take vitamin D each day. Vitamin B12 maybe, I just need something to help me get through the afternoons. I remember my mum used to take pro plus but it just makes me fidgety. Has anyone paid for a blood test, looked online B12 is £39 are they proper tests do you think.

We in western Europe get all the vtamins we need : MargaretX, I wish that was true, but unfortunately it didn't apply to me.
My VitaminD levels were so low, they didn't register at all.
My osteoporosis consultant prescribed exceptionally high doses, so high my GP questioned the dose.
If you are a fair skinned, red head living in Scotland, you are even more prone to Vitamin D deficiency.

Feeling tired when you are getting old is due to just that. getting older.

I have a nap every afternoon 1-3 pm and then its coffee time and I carry on working or shopping or whatever till 7 p.m.

My GCs are all teenagers and some don't even live nearby so I'm free to do as I want.

We in western Europe get all the vtamins we need. We only need a tiny amount , the rest of the vitamin scare is due to money making . Save your money and buy yourself a treat or some new shoes.

And if you are tired then sit down. Tell the GCs you are tired. My GM did when I was small and my mother said 'go away I want to read'
We spoil children nowadays.

Vitamin B12 deficiency also causes dreadful tiredness but I was assuming that all of these vitamin deficiencies had been ruled out by the GP? If not then definitely worth checking.