Is this depression? Or some sort of listlessness? Or a deficiency?

[Browneyes888]

For the past year, I have been foggy and listless and over-tired every single day. I sleep 9 hours a night, so I am definitely getting enough sleep.

It usually hits after lunch, when I can barely prop my eyes open. I don’t have any motivation to do work (which has halved anyway thanks to the pandemic) and I am snappy and fed up and my brain is so foggy. I have zero sex drive (tmi?!). I exercise 3 times a week on a good week, and make myself do that, and I do feel better after, but always still so tired.

I don’t know if this is depression? Or maybe my tiredness is a deficiency? I take B vitamins and iron sachets every day though.

I also have the odd ocular migraine, which is new. I’m 40, if that helps.

I don’t quite know what’s going on! Or how to change it!

Same for me, down to the ocular migraine. I cut out sugar and carbs and it's made a huge difference to my energy levels and now I only lose one day/month to migraine instead of 4-8.

That’s interesting about sugar! I don’t eat a lot, but I do eat the odd thing. I will try cutting it out. (I’m never sure if things like honey counts?)

I have tried no / low carbs for lunch to see if that makes a difference, but am still zzzzz. But my diet in general is quite carb-heavy though: I eat a lot of rice, potatoes, etc.

You might want to check your Vit D and do full bloods to exclude any physical problems.

I used to feel like that when I was feeling overwhelmed with stress from work. Great that you exercise regularly! It might still be a sign of a mental health issue but make sure you exclude all physical causes.

Thyroid, blood sugar, iron and Hb, vit D all good things to check.

It's been a really hard year for everyone. I hope you feel better soon!

I will get those things checked! Thank you! What’s hb, out of curiosity?

I do also take Vit D. Maybe not enough?

Haemoglobin? Definitely full bloods and look at overall lifestyle.

@Browneyes888

I will get those things checked! Thank you! What’s hb, out of curiosity?

I do also take Vit D. Maybe not enough?

Sorry yes it is haemoglobin. It's a measure of anaemia, which is sometimes caused by low iron, B12 or folate.

I don't remember the recommended does for Vit D, think it's 10000mg but might have that wrong.

When my iron was low I felt like that. It could be peri.....def need a check up.

Good idea to get bloods checked as per pp. Ask for ferritin, B12, folate, vit D and thyroid in addition to full blood count.

Ask for actual results if you can and report back. Ferritin is often deemed to be ok if it's above 12 but can cause symptoms if it's under 40.

Deffo get thyroid checked. I'm the same age as you and wad diagnosed with unddractive thyroid earlier this year. One sympton was I was absolutely knackered by early afternoon.

I felt very similar to you, without the migraine, then I started to get tingling hands and breathless running up the stairs. I thought it was age and peri. Turns out my ferritin was very low, I feel much better on iron.