Constantly tired

[Willowtry]

I have mentioned it in other posts before, I have had depression for a couple of years. While I had left it untreated in hope it would get solved on its own, it didn't work, and it's only since December that I finally kicked my rear to see a doctor. I've been prescribed two different medicine and I knew it would take a while for my body to adjust to them. My problem is that we're in February and I still don't feel like my body adjusted to them. They make me very tired. And if at times I can actually be productive, more often than not, on weeks like this one, all I can do is do things that doesn't require mental energy. I am only going to see my psychiatrist in March and with a little luck, I'll stop being so constantly tired by then, but until then, I still have work to do. I have rested for most of December and January without much change. And work deadlines are inevitably coming closer with each passing week.

 

So here is my question, if someone ever suffered from a similar problem, which tricks did you use to be able to be productive despite your tiredness ?

[ShawnaLeigh]

I have but not as a result from medication. 

I have central apnea and obstructive sleep apnea.  Well I don't have the obstructive one anymore since loosing my weight.  Central is a brain stem disorder/birth defect (as it was explained to me) that effects all automatic breathing.  I sometimes stop breathing while awake.  Most times you are doing things that kick start it and its not noticeable but you do have to take a deep breathe every so often like you were intentional holding your breathe.  Its drives my wife crazy as it comes out like a big sigh and then she's worried that I'm mad or something.  LOL

After 12 years she doesn't even hear it anymore.

Apnea is dangerous as it can cause stroke or heart attacks and other bad stuff too but those are the big hitters.  You don't have to be out of shape to have it either so its not just for heavier folks. It made me feel like I wasn't sleeping at all even after a good 8-10 hours of full sleep.  Id wake up so completely drained it was not funny.  Scary really as it can effect to mental state.

 

As for your meds I would of been calling the doctor and telling them this.  Unless its all you can take for your depression, and I have no idea what one takes for depression, Id be looking for an alternative.  JMO

 

[TommieAnne]

Like a lot of veterans, I have suffered from poor/interrupted sleep for years. Although sometimes i dont sleep at all for days. I also have sleep apnea and depression.

I cannot seem to take antidepressants without problem side effects.

I cannot wear a CPAP due to it triggering panic attacks.

So my best course of action has been exercise to wear myself out so I sleep reasonably well when I can sleep. I also take naps.

You should consider getting a sleep study done to look into why you're so tired. Apnea is a sneaky thing that many have without realizing it.

TA

[ShawnaLeigh]

35 minutes ago, TammyAnne said:

I cannot wear a CPAP due to it triggering panic attacks.

OMG me too.  Bad too.  Like I am being suffocated.  Which is ridiculous as its pumping air into me basically.  LOL

The brain is weird

 

36 minutes ago, TammyAnne said:

You should consider getting a sleep study done to look into why you're so tired. Apnea is a sneaky thing that many have without realizing it.

This is great advice.  ALL of the symptoms of apnea are also little things everyone deals with on a regular basis.  I worked nights and slept terrible hours, tossed and turned all the time trying to sleep and was a snorer.  Like half the planet.  Of course I'm going to be tired.  I didn't know how dangerous it was.  Lack of oxygen is no joke. 

However it does sound like you have med issues or poor reactions to them.  Talk to your doctor.

[TommieAnne]

35 minutes ago, ShawnaLeigh said:

OMG me too.  Bad too.  Like I am being suffocated.  Which is ridiculous as its pumping air into me basically.  LOL

The brain is weird

 

This is great advice.  ALL of the symptoms of apnea are also little things everyone deals with on a regular basis.  I worked nights and slept terrible hours, tossed and turned all the time trying to sleep and was a snorer.  Like half the planet.  Of course I'm going to be tired.  I didn't know how dangerous it was.  Lack of oxygen is no joke. 

However it does sound like you have med issues or poor reactions to them.  Talk to your doctor.

I'm fortunate that my dentist, who complained that I was grinding away my fillings every night, recommended a specialized (and small) mouthpiece to keep my teeth apart. It has an added bonus of combating sleep apnea and snoring. So not wearing the CPAP is mitigated.

The panic thing wearing the mask? They put it on. I said "I can't wear this take it off" but they said give it time. I nearly slugged a nurse while I was fighting to get it off.

For medication issues, it's always that rare weird side effect on the last page of the information sheet that "no one ever gets" that I get. So we're judicious about medication.

[Jani]

@Willowtry in my experience those medications will make you tired.  Look at the documentation you were given when they were prescribed, or go online to find it.  Read about any and all side effects.  Some drugs do take a while to get into your system and be effective.  (I'm on a mediation that takes six months and its been a wild ride!)   Note that some side effects may cause tiredness by themselves.  The only thing I've found is to focus on being positive.  Even small steps make a difference.  Call a friend to chat for a short time, listen to music you enjoy, engage in a hobby you like.   Get out into the sun if possible as the vitamin D is good for the spirits it seems.  

 

I'm sorry to read that you are having this trouble and wish you my best. 

Jani

[Willowtry]

I'm sorry to hear that @ShawnaLeigh . I kind of have the feelings sometimes that I have apnea, but I was tested a couple of years ago and the results were completely fine, so on my side it's most likely tied to stress or anxiety.

 

@TammyAnne I exercise on the weeks I am well enough and worked enough to not feel too guilty about wasting time, but even on those days, my nights aren't particularly better. It's great if it works for you, though.

 

@Jani I am aware and it is why it didn't bother me at first, but work is too "bitchy" to wait till I am at full capacity. Though, I guess two-three months is nothing compared to six months like in your case. ^^" I enjoyed doing "nothing" aside leisure at first, but after a while even that isn't very satisfying anymore. It might be tied to me having a sort of workalcoholic streak, though. In any case, if by the next time I see the psychiatrist I'm still as tired, I might change medicine.