How did you beat ‘tired all the time’?

[SallyRabbit]

Hello,

I’m 43, about to be 44. I work funny hours and have 3 children so I’m busy and only work out once a week - if that. I’m exhausted ALL THE TIME. I realise I can’t expect to have the energy I did at 20, or even 30, but I would love a BIT more energy. It cannot be like this from now until I’m dead!

Now I know that healthy food, exercise and decent sleep is a massive part of it - and I know I am really rubbish at that. I cook healthy meals for the kids and then use biscuits to give me an energy boost (although not overweight). But I’d love some inspiration please ladies - can you tell me what change you made and how much of a difference it made to your energy levels?

I wish I believed in alt medicine - I’d love a big dose of placebo I really believed in!!

So not just ‘try eating healthily’ but what you specifically changed and how it affected your life. Inspire me please!

Thanks x

I'm 45, so for me it was peri I think causing my tiredness, as I would wake up at 1:30am with severe anxiety and be awake for the day. Since I started HRT 3 months ago, I still wake up occasionally for an hour or so but can drop back off. Don't underestimate the importance of good sleep hygiene. I often go to bed about 8pm. I'm up for the day at 5am sometimes 4:30am but I like the quietness of the house and being able to read the news mumsnet in peace!

Adding to the blood test and supplements choir.

Also I cut coffee down from 3 or 4 a day to 1 in the morning (2 at the weekend!) and then decaf. It was brutal for a week but now I sleep so much better and feel more alive. I got a decent Swiss water decaf for my cafetiere so my brain still thinks it's getting the proper stuff 😅

And more protein. I add purition protein powder to my breakfast yoghurt and granola.

Go on solo weekend vacations atleast once a month to another part of the UK where you do not know anyone which means you can not be bothered by anyone, you can relax and de-stress, be you, do you, enjoy your luxury and keep your mobile phone off. Do not cook on a Friday, order in take aways instead so you are not slaving over the stove tired. Get your partner to help out in the way that you would like to be helped and get your kids if old enough on a rota to help out with the housework so you are not tired all of the time. Take hot baths. Get an aupair to help you out with the kids if you can afford it. Wishing you well. 💛

@Mary46 50 is the low end of normal for Vit D. It needs to be above 75 for bone protection to prevent osteoporosis.

Go to bed earlier every night.. Leave some things undone and prioritise your sleep.
Hire a baby sitter sometimes just to take all kids to park while you sleep.

Increase your red meat intake.
Eat an egg for breakfast.
Drink more water.

Walk outside for half your lunch hour.

Have check up at GP to rule out major illnesses and check iron levels etc.

It sounds simple - but hydration. I was exhausted and getting worried by my level of fatigue. Remembering to drink fluid has made a difference to the extent I'm not worried there's something wrong with me any more.

If you are exhausted all the time and there is no definite cause then basic blood tests to rule out any deficiencies and common issues should be offered, or at least not refused if you ask for them.

Maybe try HRT
Blood test for anaemia
But ultimately it is what you eat.
You need to eat foods rich in magnesium and B vitamins. Swap biscuits for dark chocolate covered almonds. Cockles, salmon, spinach, kale, berries, cashews, oats, pumpkin seeds.
Make sure you’re hydrated and cut out alcohol.

This was me too. FM diagnosis led to me realising I was also massively intolerant of wheat. Even a tiny bit. Cutting that out has made me 100 times more energy. I now can work fulltime with 4 kids, do lots of exercise and still go out dancing to 3am!

Coffee. It’s like sleep 💤 for people with too much time on their hands.

I’ll probably get flamed for this but I’m exactly your age and hands down biggest thing for me has been using testosterone! I’m also on oestrogen (low level) and progesterone. I got all my levels tested last year and started the P and O soon after, they helped a bit (mainly with sleep and night sweats) and then I bit the bullet and went on testosterone (my levels are very low) and omg it’s been a game changer. I’m back to myself 15 years ago energy wise. I actually am cross I waited so long because my levels have been low on bloods for 3 years. Sadly hasn’t bought libido back yet but I’m living in hope it might!

i also eat well and prioritise sleep as best I can. And I reduced my hours at work but now I’m feeling a lot better I’m back to exercising daily and generally just feeling pretty good. The only time I lose this energy now is the few days before my period. That seems reasonable in comparison to what was no energy every day. I know testosterone is getting a lot of coverage currently (positive and negative) but I would recommend getting hormones checked as like I say my levels begin dropping a few years ago and I’m also just about to turn 44. My GP has been surprisingly supportive. I’d also prioritise protein and fruit and veg in your diet and like I say earlier going to bed etc. post above has also said ‘do you ever had fun’ and I think there’s something to that. I was unable to have fun as I never had energy and now I do I’ve started various fitness things and just generally been able to socialise etc more. I’ve not started doing late nights. I know that doesn’t suit me but being able to do the theatre / days out etc is giving me a lot of joy!

good luck and feel free to dm me for moral support If needed.

B vitamins and magnesium

This is all good advice and I would add bedding daylight early in your day as well to help with sleep rhythms.

As a starting point, get a blood test. I had low iron and vit D which is very common. Also an under active thyroid. And started HRT. It was a process that took about 6 years. Still feel knackered but anxiety feelings are a bit more manageable. I’d also say doing what you can to create pauses between things. I used to be able to run from one thing to another but now need a little time to reset as otherwise it’s just all overwhelming. Try to go bed at 10pm. Exercise. Do some nice things for you without guilt. All the best x

I'm 35 and suffer too.
I made great progress early this year before DS got ill.
I took cod liver oil and a multi vitamin.
Prioritised getting into a sleeping pattern - same hours every night including the weekend.
Natural yoghurt for breakfast and plenty of water.
I felt the best I had for a long long time. When I woke up in the morning, I felt well rested and as if I had actually slept.

Then DS got ill and it all fell down so I'm trying to get back into it again now.

A couple of times I felt this sort of real exhaustion - first time I was severely anaemic, second time underactive thyroid. Both times it took me quite a while to seek help because it creeps up on you slowly and you adjust to it.

I haven't. I am exhausted all the time due to side effects from previous and ongoing cancer treatments, so a bit different.

I eat as well as I can, I take magnesium supplements, I go to bed early most nights, I dont eat/drink anything that contains caffeine, and I try to do a little (and I do mean a little) exercise every day.

Mainly - I pace myself. I don't do things that are unnecessary. I do things when I have the energy, so that means I pre-prepare everything I can, in case I'm not well enough to do it later. I get my shopping delivered. I buy ready chopped onions and garlic as I can't stand for long. I batch cook when I can, so that I always have meals ready in the freezer for when I am too tired to cook.

For you - I think the lesson would be to look at what NEEDS to be done and what doesn't. Do you really need to do all that stuff?