What to do about this OVERWHELMING tiredness?!

[GreenTeaMom]

About 3-4 weeks ago I had some blood tests done, that came back low for iron, b12 and vitamin d. I had loading dose injections for b12, prescribed once weekly high strength vitamin d tablets and iron liquid (the tablets are too harsh on my stomach).

I still feel absolutely knackered though - and not just oh I feel a bit run down - I can’t actually keep my eyes open during the day and I’m just in and out of sleep the entire time. I can’t actually function with how tired and run down I feel.

I have been prescribed all the usual medication and supplements, what else can I do?!

I really can’t go on much longer than this!

Go back to GP and say what you've just said here?

Are you drinking plenty of water?

Go back to doctor

I have mentioned it to the nurse who was doing all my injections and she said it just takes time for it to all kick in… which is all fine and good… if I can actually make it through that period of time being able to function etc which at the moment I just can’t

So you've had how many weeks of treatment? When did you last tell her you were still knackered?

What's your personal circs as on can you actually sleep extra because clearly you need extra sleep as well as drugs

I don’t know whether they would consider an infusion for at least one of the deficiencies just to get it absorbed into my body quicker and get my levels up quicker?

Have you been investigated into the cause of your deficiencies?

@SleepingStandingUp I’ve had about a months worth and mentioned it about a week and half ago, I sleep well at night that’s the thing. I sleep easily 8-9 hours a night but within an hour of being up I’m falling asleep on the sofa again and having to nap about 2/3 hours during the day too

@MatildaTheCat they think the iron is possibly because of periods, they are investigating whether I have an autoimmune disease which stops the b12 and that being absorbed in the stomach

I don’t have any advice I’m afraid but wanted to let you know that I’m in exactly the same boat and feel utterly, utterly hideous.

I’m 29 weeks pregnant, which is the cause of mine, but the symptoms are the same. I also can’t stand up for longer than a minute or two without feeling breathless, weak and shaky. It’s absolutely horrendous so I’m sending you all the positive vibes!

Deffo agree with other PPs, go back to the doctor.
Are you working at the moment, could you get a sick note for a couple of weeks for some rest and to give time for the supplements to kick in?
Anything else going on - did they check thyroid and rule out diabetes for example? Any recent infections, could it be post viral fatigue (in which case get as much rest as you can to try and prevent it becoming ME/CFS)?
Hope you start to feel better soon OP

Is there a chance you could you be pregnant? I felt like this in early pregnancy!

Have they checked your thyroid?

How old are you ?

It does take time though. Have you tried ferrous fumarate, much easier on the digestive system. It usually takes me 4-6 weeks to get back to normal. Far easier to catch it before levels fall too far.

Hope you feel better soon @grosgirl!

No chance of pregnancy - at all! Haven’t had a partner in years…

I’m coming up for 30, and thyroid is all fine and checked. I’ve just been feeling unwell and run down for such a long time now and it just seems to be getting worse and worse and the doctors just don’t know what else to do with me!

Are you working or signed off? I think in addition to heckling your diet, your liquids and speaking to the nurse etc you need more sleep. Get signed off, sleep 9 hours, get food and water and go back to sleep. Rinse and repeat. Your body needs to recover , it isn't about just having enough in your system from this point onwards

@SleepingStandingUp I study at uni but currently off until September now

3-4 weeks isn't gona be enough. But also depending on your iron levels you may need an iron and /or b12 infusion to get the levels back up.

After that it could be months of taking supplements before you start to feel the effects

Ask for a sleep study, wonder if you also have sleep apnoea?

i am presuming the checked for diabetes when they did your bloods? I felt similar - nodding off all the time - older than you but not old enough for nodding off in the chair yet! I’ve found taking magnesium tablets have helped a lot - I take a multi vit with zinc and oil or evening primrose also. I do feel less tired - or it could be a placebo effect!

Have you had COVID? Could you have had it without realising? I went through a spell last year where I could not get up in the morning, felt half dead if I got up before about 11.30, fell asleep at random moments. . . I don't know if it was COVID but people who've had it have reported these symptoms. I didn't test at the time because it didn't occur to me.

Long covid?

Have you tried magnesium?

I'm in (almost) the same boat as you. It can take a couple of extra weeks or so to feel an improvement and i found I didn't notice a radical difference overnight, it happened more slowly.

My iron and vit d has now dropped again so I'm supplementing again.

Have you been tested for coeliacs? The bone crushing exhaustion was a major symptom of mine, I’d fall asleep at my desk, on the sofa, pretty much anytime I sat down! I’d be fighting sleep whilst driving. It was hell. I was 35 when diagnosed.

Long Covid?