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Original poster

Absolutely beyond exhausted

10 replies

hitanewlow · 23/09/2018 01:50

I am just so, so tired. I've been to see the gp 4 times in the last six weeks and I've been prescribed sleeping tablets and then antihistamines and now a sleep diary. It doesn't seem to matter how much sleep I get though, I'm still completely exhausted. I don't think I've ever been this tired in my life. I feel awful. I just want this to be over

OP posts:

SpoonBlender · 23/09/2018 02:04

Sorry to hear you're having such a shit time

Most antihistamines make me feel like death warmed up, I've given up on them despite 11-months-of-the-year hayfever.

Back to the doctors again and ask for something else if it's all getting worse.

Are you sleeping through but still perpetually knackered, or not sleeping through? I've been having some insomnia since DM died earlier this year, and counselling has been helping on that. It's not always pills that help.

BunnyCarr · 23/09/2018 03:02

I think you need to go back to the doctor and if they won't help, find one who will.
Have you had blood tests?
Sleeping tablets actually make me even more tired.

Shadow1234 · 23/09/2018 03:03

I had a similar problem. Didnt matter how many hours i slept,
I always felt lethargic, sluggish and never quite 'awake'. Walked
round in a daze.

Gp sent me for blood tests and came back that my Iron and
Ferretin levels were extremely low. (I have always been
a picky eater and didnt really eat a balanced diet). Hair was also
falling out when I washed it, and found out I had a Vitamin D
deficiency. (Iron and vitamin D3 tablets were prescribed and made
me feel so much better).

I would ask for a blood test in case you have an underlying
problem that might be something simple to resolve.

I personally wouldnt be happy to just take sleeping tablets if
no other tests have been done to rule out other possibilities.
(sleeping tablets might help you sleep, but thats not getting to
the root of the problem).

Ask to see a different GP, and see if they can run a few blood
tests.

Good luck.

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Lallybroch · 23/09/2018 03:21

Have you considered sleep apnoea?

Seniorschoolmum · 23/09/2018 04:40

Agree with shadow on the vitamins. A daily cheap supermarket multivitamin makes all the difference to me during the winter months. I do eat a healthy diet but I still need it.

MrsJonesAndMe · 23/09/2018 07:02

Could also be thyroid.

junebirthdaygirl · 23/09/2018 08:02

Why are you taking antihistamines? I had to take them once for a reaction to something and they made me want to lie down on the floor and go asleep.
Are you taking iron / vitamins?
I find The Complete Woman one in Boots good as it has absolutely everything in one tablet.
My dh suffers from depression and when he is down he seems perpetually tired although he gets lots of sleep. Are you depressed?

Original poster

hitanewlow · 23/09/2018 22:16

I've been prescribed the antihistamines because I wasn't able to stay asleep, I was wakening up three or four times a night for several hours which wasn't ideal. I'm pretty desperate so I'll take whatever I'm given in the hope that it will help. I'm not sure if it's a coincidence because I'm so knackered or if they're helping, but I have been waking up less in the night but I'm still exhausted when I wake up in the morning.

I haven't had blood tests, I've seen the same doctor several times and he hasn't suggested any kind of test, just given me tablets to help me sleep. I really hate needles so I've been avoiding it but I'm going to go back this week and ask to see someone else and hopefully get a blood test. I haven't wanted to take any kind of multivitamins until I have the blood test in case it messes up the results.

I'm not depressed, but I have thought of sleep apnoea... I have been told before that I stop breathing every so often during the night, but when I mentioned this to the doctor they didn't seem too bothered. I'm just so sick of being exhausted all the time, I feel so ill. And no one seems to understand, I'm fairly young so they can't understand how I could be so tired all the time.

OP posts:

Lallybroch · 24/09/2018 02:11

If you think there is a possibility of sleep apnoea please go back to your GP. Since I was diagnosed I have identified it in 2 friends who then went for tests. If you test positive and end up with a CPAP machine it is literally life changing.

AlmaGeddon · 24/09/2018 02:33

I would look at your life too are some things stressing you but you are unaware of it as you are 'getting on with things' as usual. Look after yourself by making time for fun and nice things, whatever you enjoy, make time for it. Exercise helps with the sleep problem, there isn't a magic pill for sleep, try reading in bed so you aren't lying awake worrying about it. It will gradually correct itself.

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