Sleepiness and fatigue

[KnockMeDown]

I've been feeling very sleepy in the afternoons, and it's beginning to be noticed at work. Can anyone recommend a good vitamin supplement that would help me stay awake?

I know that there are probably life style changes that would help, such as cutting down on mid week wine, but want to try several approaches.

Also, are there better things to have for lunch for this? I only get a half hour for lunch, so need something quick.

Any help gratefully received!

Also, for full disclosure, I am 49, so wondering whether hormones and menopause could be contributing, though haven't really had any other symptoms.

Have you considered an iron deficiency? It's a simple blood test to find out if it's the culprit.

Can you take fruit to snack on in the afternoons? Also, drinking plenty of ice cold water should help.
Are you able to open a window near enough to your desk?

Thank you both. I am planning to go to the GP to get checked out, but it's tricky getting an appointment.

I do open a window, and drink plenty of water during the day, which both help once I feel sleepy, but really want to prevent it in the first place.

First question is how much sleep are you getting and how much are you drinking?

My sleep isn't too bad though sometimes broken. About 6 or 7 hours per night. I do love a cup of tea last thing, so there is an inevitable trip to the loo later...

During the week I may have 1 or 2 glasses of wine, 2 or 3 times a week. Weekends is a bit more. Sometimes the weekend starts on Thursday. I definitely need to cut down!

You may need more sleep and you definitely need to cut out the late night tea-drinking as it will affect your quality of sleep as well as waking you for a wee.

I thought you were going to say cut down on the wine! That would be easier than the tea

Ginseng might help after a while

I would cut down on tea and wine and go to bed an hour earlier. I don't have caffeine after 3/4pm or it interferes with my sleep. Also never drink during the week and only occasionally at the weekend. About 8 hours sleep and I'm still tired. I did have pneumonia last month though so I think that's still affecting me.

I don't do much exercise at all at the moment, only the brisk 5mins walk to and from car on school run. Lunch break is half hour, and I spend it having some soup at my desk.
I have yogurt fruit and granola for breakfast, and a range of stuff for dinner.
I don't drink coffee at all, have 2 cups of tea before work, and then about 4 through the afternoon evening.

I take these vitamins and notice a real difference. Be warned though, they make your wee bright yellow!
Also I try not to have too carby lunches, or I get tired. Usually go for soup in winter (no bread) or salad in summer.

Should also add that I am glucose intolerant and on metformin, and also on blood pressure medication, both ever since pregnant with DD, 8.

Holland and Barrett should pay me for the amount of times I recommend these within a week I went from falling asleep on the sofa every afternoon to feeling human again.

Well that changes everything. Book and see the diabetic nurse ASAP.

But B12 helps. I can't eat anything too heavy like pasta or jacket potato or bread or I'll need a nap. but sweet potato and chicken seems to work or a bean stew also seems a good balance of carbs.

6 cups of tea seems like quite a lot tbh.

Stripes noted. Will be making an appointment.