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Original poster

Why am I so ridiculously tired?

40 replies

Lovetosleep1 · 06/12/2023 20:51

I'm 43 and have never been so tired in my life. Things I've tried over the last month to help are vitamin D, magnesium and some green powder you put in water. I've been drinking more water around 2l a day. Cut out coffee and just having a cup of tea in the morning.

I have a generally healthy diet, walk for around 2 hours a day with my dog and average 18k steps I get around 6.5/7 hours sleep a night. I work long hours as a teacher which is tiring and am a single parent but this isn't anything new. Has anyone any other ideas about how I can get my energy back?

OP posts:
NChance · 06/12/2023 20:54

Might be a stupid question but have you tried more sleep? As in 8hrs consistently to see if that helps?
I manage off 6hrs but then every so often I crash and need 10!

tenbob · 06/12/2023 20:55

That’s not a lot of sleep! Is that your usual amount?

Your GP can get your iron, thyroid and hormone levels checked as a next step

namechangedyetagain · 06/12/2023 20:57

The clue might be that you're a teacher! Everyone in school is beyond exhausted at the minute and still a while to go.

Fellow teacher here, in bed already as also shattered.

SwishSwashSwooshSwersh · 06/12/2023 20:58

Go get a b12 and iron blood test from GP. Also test thyroid.

do NOT take b12 vitamins until you’ve had a blood test as b12 tablets can give a false healthy result when in fact b12 injections are required.

Original poster
Lovetosleep1 · 06/12/2023 21:04

@NChance @tenbob I was thinking it may be not enough sleep. I get up at 5am to walk the dog before work. I do have a lie in at the weekend so was hoping that would balance it out a bit. I'll try going to bed a bit earlier and see if that helps.

OP posts:
CalistoNoSolo · 06/12/2023 21:04

You could be anaemic or you could be hitting perimenopause. Either way I think a trip to the Dr is a good idea.

Original poster
Lovetosleep1 · 06/12/2023 21:10

@namechangedyetagain I'm with you on that, we're all on our knees. I'm in a special school for pupils with Autism and SEMH and this is always a hard half term so no idea why they thought it would be a good idea to make it 8 weeks.

You've got the right idea getting an early night.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lovetosleep1 · 06/12/2023 21:13

@SwishSwashSwooshSwersh @CalistoNoSolo thank you I'll make an appointment for over Christmas. I had a letter a while ago to go for a general health check, it must be what they do when you get to 40. I've not had a chance to go but I'll prioritise it when I break up.

OP posts:
SutWytTi · 06/12/2023 21:18

I think the reason you're tired is: you get up very early, do an above-average amount of exercise, on rather a low amount of sleep, whilst also having a very tough job!

Yes get checked to make sure nothing underlying but I think you need to sleep more.

TheGhostOfTheOpera · 06/12/2023 21:23

I’d go and see your GP. It could be anything from thyroid issue to anaemia.

As a teacher, I’d expect you’ve had covid a few times too. I’d consider LC tbh.

In the mean time, if you are that tired, I’d start by reducing how much you walk. Ensuring you have a really good night of sleep. And try to reduce any stressors (of those you CAN change. I’m aware that there are many you can’t do a lot about!) but I found stress to be an high energy thief!

redpepperchilli · 06/12/2023 21:26

I have felt the same for the past year. Then last week the hot flushes started. Peri menopause for me

curlysue1991 · 06/12/2023 21:28

Could possibly be low on iron? Or b12

Comedycook · 06/12/2023 21:30

Im the same age as you op and a full time job plus two hours of walking a day would wipe me out!

bryceQ · 06/12/2023 21:30

SutWytTi · 06/12/2023 21:18

I think the reason you're tired is: you get up very early, do an above-average amount of exercise, on rather a low amount of sleep, whilst also having a very tough job!

Yes get checked to make sure nothing underlying but I think you need to sleep more.

Exactly this!

settlethisone · 06/12/2023 21:31

Anaemic. And teaching is hard

Original poster
Lovetosleep1 · 06/12/2023 21:31

@SutWytTi I think you're probably right. I'm going to go to bed now and try to keep to a routine of 9.30pm.

OP posts:
C1N1C · 06/12/2023 21:35

Nap during the day at weekends if you can... makes all the difference.

TisTheSeasonToBePolly · 06/12/2023 21:35

Is 6.5/7 hours' sleep really not enough? Do people actually get 8 hours in the real world?!
I don't have kids or particularly major stressors, but can't remember the last time I got anything more than 6 hours of pretty broken sleep.
I thought that was normal in your forties 😕

flowerchild2000 · 06/12/2023 21:36

Fatigue is common with perimenopause. Dong quai and evening primrose oil help regulate hormones, maybe research further, always with supplements. Supplement blends are readily available for this too.

Q2C4 · 06/12/2023 21:38

Ask your GP to check your ferritin levels as well as running a standard iron panel. Low ferritin can cause extreme fatigue.

Partnersuntheuk · 06/12/2023 21:40

Getting up at 5am to walk my dog would kill me. Do you walk the dog and hour in the morning and then an hour again at night? That's a helluva lot if exercise for you both, is it really necessary? Could you outsource at least one session to a dog walker?

Nothankyou22 · 06/12/2023 21:40

Is your sleep solid, if so I’d try getting an extra hour as your days are naturally long and full on.
i have insomnia, have for years but been falling asleep at work and just been told I’m anaemic.

MrsMoastyToasty · 06/12/2023 21:42

Does your boiler need servicing? I'm thinking about carbon monoxide.

ollypollymolly · 06/12/2023 21:45

Your day sounds mad with 5am dog walk then being a teacher. I think one of those is tiring let alone both !

Arggghhhhhhhh · 06/12/2023 21:46

Sleep, iron test. Perimenopause?