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65 and so tired. Anyone else ?

(124 Posts)
Katyj Thu 22-Sep-22 14:23:13

Hi. I turned 65 in May, since then Ive been so tired. I had a full blood count on my birthday, annual check up and everything was normal, so don’t think anything can have gone drastically wrong since then ? Can’t think I’m doing anything different, still working part time, still looking after mum, just shopping, bills appointments etc, grandchildren in the holidays and babysitting now and again.
DH retired but does help with everything. Could it just be my age ? Do I need to do less, not sure how though. Maybe it’s all in my head and I’m getting ready to retire. How do you feel ?

ExDancer Thu 22-Sep-22 14:44:43

I don't think its your age - yet. I'm 84 and my tiredness started in my 70s, it just crept up on me.
Have you had covid (perhaps so mildly you didn't notice)? My real, more tired than I've ever felt, feeling came with mild covid and I can't throw it off.
I'm trying multi vitamins as I'm too tired to cook healthy meals from scratch any more - so far with no improvement.
Why not try a bottle? (vitamins smile) Who knows? they may help you.
I suspect a gp would just recommend, 'healthy diet/good night's sleep!' but you could ask, it'll only be a phone call after all.
My own grannie would say 'you need a tonic'. smile

Florencelady Thu 22-Sep-22 18:38:11

Are you exercising? I am 62 and find l exercising l have a lot more energy. When l let it slip l feel tired..I also have never completely got my energy back since having a bad dose of Covid..not long Covid..just tired legs and not the same bounce.

Charleygirl5 Thu 22-Sep-22 18:49:22

I am 79 and my tiredness crept up on me. I can still sleep for my local county and otherwise I am fine.

Old age is not for the faint-hearted.

Iam64 Thu 22-Sep-22 18:56:23

I’m having a holiday. Despite associated stresses, I’m less tired 4 days in than I’ve been in months.
Are yiu getting enough rest n relaxation.

Beautful Thu 22-Sep-22 19:01:37

Have you had a liver function test ? I was really lethargic, my liver function was extremely high about 15months ago, also had a scan on my liver aswell ... just a thought ... normal now , thank goodness ... but still tired

MissAdventure Thu 22-Sep-22 19:05:17

You can buy and take vitamin D safely.

Full blood counts don't usually check for those kinds of things, and vitamin deficiencies can have quite horrible symptoms. (Viramin B, too, from the little I know)

AskAlice Thu 22-Sep-22 19:09:46

I'd make sure your thyroid is checked properly. I too started feeling very tired in my mid-50s and had s blood test. When nothing showed up immediately, the doctor ordered a specific test and I was found to have Hashimoto's disease, which is basically an underactive thyroid caused by an auto-immune condition. Once I was prescribed Levothyroxin I felt like a different person!

Katyj Thu 22-Sep-22 20:08:18

Thank you everyone. Lots to think about there. My son just came to collect the grandchildren and said are you okay mum you look knackered ! Feel worse now.
Haven’t had covid not to my knowledge anyway. I’ll give it a bit longer then maybe have some more bloods done. Oh the joys of getting older .

Witzend Thu 22-Sep-22 20:13:43

My elder sister, then mid 70s and feeling terribly tired, found that she had a thyroid problem. Medication sorted it.,

oodles Thu 22-Sep-22 20:16:43

good idea about maybe having some supplemental vit D.
I've decided to retire when I get my state pension soon, while I feel I could happily go on with my part time work and suchlike, when I have a day out I used to be able to come home and catch up with work but now I get home and just want to rest, so I feel as if it's the right time, so I can enjoy life and get more exercise etc
And I don't even have grandchildren to look after lol

Casdon Thu 22-Sep-22 20:19:32

I think most people would struggle to keep all the balls in the air as you are doing Katyj, I’m not convinced there is an underlying problem based on what you’ve said you do, you’re probably just suffering from overload. Can you free up your weekends from all commitments and give yourself a couple of days to breathe each week?

Katyj Thu 22-Sep-22 20:24:28

Who knows how much we should be doing at our age, maybe I’m expecting too much of myself. We’ve just had a few days away, and I feel more tired than before. I have a physical part time job and work two long days a week.
I used to love a good walk but I’ve let it slip lately, so I’m going to start again see how I go.

Quokka Thu 22-Sep-22 20:31:42

I think we’ve all been through so much since 2020; Covid, the Brexit debacle, Boris et al, the war in Ukraine, etc. Tiredness can be more than physical, it can result from stress, emotional upset, constant worry.

Having said that …are you drinking enough water? Dehydration can cause you to feel tired too.

Redhead56 Thu 22-Sep-22 22:37:44

I have been away for a week and been ill again. I have had three repeat chest infections I was eventually two weeks ago given just 8 strong antibiotics. They did ease my cough and symptoms but since coming away it started again.
I have been coughing day and night and am exhausted. I do take vitamins and keep well hydrated I will ring our surgery up when we get home. I haven't got the stamina I had once but put that down to the joys of ageing! I just reached sixty six I retired four years ago spent two years helping with GC.

Katyj Fri 23-Sep-22 07:36:31

So sorry to hear that Redhead you must be exhausted and fed up. We always think going away and having a break will help, but it hasn’t for me this time either. Hope you feel better soon .

I’m glad I posted as it’s made me really think.I’ve realised some of my tiredness is mental exhaustion which has crept up on me over the last three years, starting with a horrendous house move, then at the same time mum becoming seriously ill after a fall. It’s just carried on really, ten more hospital admissions through covid, one thing after another.
Time to take stock I think, and look after myself a bit more. Thank you for all your ideas all of which I’ll be trying, when I have the energy ?

Redhead56 Fri 23-Sep-22 12:33:19

Thank you make sure you look after yourself.

LRavenscroft Fri 23-Sep-22 12:46:42

I am around your age and need a lot more sleep than before. 9.30 for my bedtime or else I am tired all day long. It is wise to get a full health check because I've found now that I have certain areas which need reinforcement i.e. drink 2 litres a day, avoid large meals and unhealthy food, get out for a brisk 30 minute walk come rain or shine, avoid negative people, embrace the positive. It made me feel a whole lot better. All the best.

JdotJ Sun 25-Sep-22 11:06:38

I know you've had a blood test but was your Vitamin D level checked. Mine eventually was and it was showing as 19 - very low. I'd been feeling dreadful. Much better now I'm on supplements

Nannymarg53 Sun 25-Sep-22 11:08:07

Old age is not for the faint-hearted
??love it Charleygirl5 x

Applegran Sun 25-Sep-22 11:11:12

I am sorry you feel so tired and there are some good suggestions in this thread - I second the suggestion that, maybe paradoxically, exercise in the open air might make you less exhausted. If possible exercise in lovely green places - and avoid roads with lots of car exhausts to breathe in.
But I also go with the suggestion of taking Vitamin D - its apparently very common for people to have too little of this vitamin. Good luck!

Lissajulie Sun 25-Sep-22 11:15:59

Yes, I’m permanently exhausted, but that’s probably because I’m a full time carer for my husband. I’m 68 and he’s 71 and he has had an aggressive form of Parkinson’s for the last year. It kicked in just after we moved house and I dont really know how I’ve coped. Anyone else in a similar situation?

farmgran Sun 25-Sep-22 11:20:52

Redhead, I had that horrible coughing bug and I found a good teaspoon of honey followed by a glass of water is better than cough mixture!

Katyj Sun 25-Sep-22 11:28:29

It’s difficult to tell what’s checked with what they call I full blood test isn’t it ? Maybe I should ask if that included vit D, I’ve been lax lately with everything

Lissa so sorry to hear about your husband it must be very difficult for you both. Hope someone on here can help. Take care.

Starseeker Sun 25-Sep-22 11:30:51

Absolutely agree with you oodles
I’m coming up to being able to get my state pension & I’ve thought for ages I would continue working just cut my hours. But I’ve now decided to retire & enjoy doing all the things I want to do & to be able to take my time. Like at lot of us on here, I will have worked for 50 years, raised a family, survived a divorce, & being a single parent, I think we need to put ourselves first & slow down a little! ? Look after yourself katyj