Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

A thread for people with fatigue or low spoons. What was your day like today?

33 replies

Enjoytheweethings · 02/05/2023 23:11

Wondered if there were many people on here who, like me, have really low energy?

I have autoimmune illnesses and after a traumatic period of bereavement I feel I have even less energy than usual. Physical and mental. Oh well.

My day was pretty shit today, unfortunately. So far

OP posts:
Original poster
Enjoytheweethings · 02/05/2023 23:16

Posted too soon.

So far I started the day unwell, but thought I'd got ahead of it with medication in time. Nope. Crashed after breakfast, took me out for two hours back in bed, in pain and sweating and nauseated.

Rest of the day hasn't been so bad, but I just feel wiped out and still irritatingly sick.

All I have managed to achieve is wash a couple of mugs and plates and stick a wash on and make a phone call confirming a hospital appointment tomorrow. I'm sick of myself.

May is crammed with appointments I hate going to and I'm feeling overwhelmed, and about half an hour ago I bit into a pitted olive that still had a bit of pit in and think I may have cracked a fucking tooth - so yet another appointment and the expense of it all.

FML.

OP posts:
QueenofLouisiana · 02/05/2023 23:19

Month 14 since long Covid diagnosis. Today was pretty good, until brain fog descended at about 4 pm. Couldn’t drive myself to a shop after work, DH had to do it and dinner was a two person job (I use gousto boxes to ensure we eat reasonably without having to do too much).
I struggle to regulate my body temperature when I’m tired so was shivery after dinner. Asleep on DH, snuggled under a blanket by about 8. I’ve learned not to push it, it’s not worth it in the long run.

SweetSakura · 02/05/2023 23:21

It's so hard isn't it.

I have always thought of myself as someone who can grit my teeth and get through anything. I soared through university despite awful trauma, climbed the career ladder rapidly as a single mum etc ...

But my damn illness (myasthenia gravis) currently has the upper hand and it doesn't matter how much grit I have, once my eyelids start closing and I can't support my own head, I have to admit defeat.

I made it to half my trustee meeting this evening then realised I was too ill and had to go home. I felt so embarrassed leaving.

SweetSakura · 02/05/2023 23:22

A bereavement massively worsened my symptoms in January, I really feel for you @Enjoytheweethings . It feels like getting a kicking when you're down Flowers

WildImaginings · 02/05/2023 23:23

I had less than 4 hours sleep last night.

I WFH and was planning on trying to nap at lunch time today. Instead I ended up working until 7.30 because I had so much to do and now I know I've burned myself out. I've got a bad stomach and am lying on sofa trying to wind down.

Some days I can barely concentrate enough to get my basics done but I was on a roll today (or so I thought) and have overdone it AGAIN.

I'm going on holiday on Friday and I can't wait to sleep.

Nimbostratus100 · 02/05/2023 23:24

chemo - one activity means a two hour sleep.

yoga4meinthemorning · 03/05/2023 07:32

I didn't get dressed and out of the house until 5pm yesterday.

I've been quite burned out the last 2/3 weeks.

WasabiCrackers · 03/05/2023 08:20

My sister is recovering from a major operation, visited a friend at the weekend whose husband left her and she has been drinking too much, her demise physically is quite shocking really. I am just really worried about both of them.

Something incredibly minor upset myself and two other friends, it was a further person in our hobby group. We talked about it, we were all supportive and another took it on themselves to speak to the difficult one. It was that last much smaller thing that just pushed me and I ended up getting tearful last night and not being able to sleep. Really the real issue is worrying about my sister and my driven to drink friend.

Wibblywobblyway · 03/05/2023 08:45

If you’ve got up, had breakfast, washed up, put washer on AND made a phone call, I’d call that absolutely bloody amazing. It’s not how much you do, but the fact you keep trying. Give yourself a pat on the back, you deserve it.

Toomanylatenightprogs · 03/05/2023 08:50

Yesterday was fairly ok but only because of an hour and a half in bed mid afternoon. Not made it out of bed yet this morning except to grab a cup of tea.
I think I’ve had fibro and chronic fatigue most of my life, some of the pain I recognise from childhood. But the worst really kicked off after bereavement.

Diorama1 · 03/05/2023 08:55

I have psoriatic arthritis and one of my main symptoms is fatigue. I am taking 12.5mg methotrexate once a week and it gets rid of it. I had to come off the methotrexate once as I had strep throat and after missing one dose BAM the fatigue was straight back. I had forgotten how bad it was!

Kyse · 03/05/2023 09:05

Yep. I had to do my injected meds last night and it was a rough one
Headache, sweating, temperature, bone pain. Just sitting having a cup of tea before I start work

Coconut90 · 03/05/2023 09:42

I work really long hours in a full time, stressful job but do it remotely.

I have a serious, long term illness that affects my mood and energy level. A lot of the time I don't bother getting dressed (work in a bathrobe or leggings and vest top) and shower every second day at best.

I go for walks and meet a different friend maybe once a week.

bellinisurge · 03/05/2023 09:43

I have MS. MS fatigue is my worst symptom. I give myself over to it when it hits.

Iloveburgerswaymorethanishould · 03/05/2023 09:44

I've got SLE and currently not on meds due them causing MD. I've no pain relief, worked yesterday back in tomorrow and know at some point this week I'm going to crash and burn. However I'm going to (attempt) to wash my hair and get dressed as OH has promised me a nice lunch!!
I try to do one tiny thing a day to either make me smile or make someone else smile.
Hope everyone feels better soon 💐💐💐

Rainfull091 · 03/05/2023 09:52

Yes I have 2. I often feel so misunderstood.
My bosses don't get it and make me feel bad for not being able to pull 10 hour shifts when they need it. Or the fact that my family don't appreciate how tough it is either.
The impact on my appearance and energy levels has also been immense. Even if the diseases are well-controlled, the fatigue and side effects of medication cannot be underestimated. Chronic illnesses can be extremely isolating. 😔

BlackeyedSusan · 03/05/2023 10:00

Hypermobility syndrome and autism. Plus two teens with ASD, one also with HSD. Dizzy spells which are definitely not POTS.

I feel like I have quite a lot of energy...(as things are better now than their worst and I can often wash up without having to lie down twice in the middle) but in reality I don't go out to work and I spend a lot of time sitting/lying down. And I have been able to pace reasonably well. And I rested most of the weekend. And my memory is shit so I can only remember how I feel now while I am sitting on my arse resting. I feel like I have loads of energy as I am not actually asking my body to do anything much right now other than sitting up and reading.

If I compare myself to my NT friends, well, that's a completely different story.

mauricemossmylove · 03/05/2023 10:09

I'm absolutely burnt out. Autoimmune condition that affects my mobility. 1 DC is autistic and is in and out of school. 1 DC is doing a levels but struggling with suicidal thoughts and self harm. 90 minute appointment for that DC yesterday to try and access support and possible autism assessment.
Supporting both DC with the death of their DF who died as a result of addiction recently.
I work part time but I'm still exhausted as also perimenopausal and stuck in a job I hate and have lost all confidence in pursuing a new job plus I meed flexibility around my kids.
Can't talk to RL friends as all have their own stuff going on.
I feel trapped in the body/life of a pensioner, I can't go out for long on days out as I suffer for the next few days. I'm feeding us too many takesways. Feel depressed, anxious and exhausted.

BlackeyedSusan · 03/05/2023 10:11

I'm intrigued to know what people define as low energy. Because my energy levels are my normal.

I know when I am low energy when I am at my worst. It's when I am achieving a lot for me that's difficult to define.

Also.there seems to be a different level of abilities on the thread. Some of which I think look like lots of energy... Which leads me to wonder whether my perception is seriously screwed! (Autism)

Kyse · 03/05/2023 10:25

BlackeyedSusan · 03/05/2023 10:11

I'm intrigued to know what people define as low energy. Because my energy levels are my normal.

I know when I am low energy when I am at my worst. It's when I am achieving a lot for me that's difficult to define.

Also.there seems to be a different level of abilities on the thread. Some of which I think look like lots of energy... Which leads me to wonder whether my perception is seriously screwed! (Autism)

I'm basically tired all day
Work, then often sleep for a couple of hours to be able to cook and shower, then go to bed
Some days I can exercise and cook meals, other days I can't

BlackeyedSusan · 03/05/2023 11:15

Thanks. Basically I think I have no idea of what normal should be and thus how far off normal I am. I haven't tried to woth for 20 years.

Autism makes it hard to see what's normal range for healthy people. It's easier to see in other people. And there is that nagging doubt that I could if I really tried. And maybe if I got a full nights sleep regularly...

Spottycarousel · 03/05/2023 11:43

Rubbish day for me. I managed to meet a friend for a coffee yesterday, stayed an hour only but feel exhausted today.

MasterBeth · 03/05/2023 11:49

Low spoons?

99point9FahrenheitDegrees · 03/05/2023 12:46

Ha, BlackeyedSusan, practically twins! I feel simultaneously a fraud - I don't struggle like people with "real" disabilities - and a failure - why can't I manage this simple task? I find it really hard to work out what normal is too. Or remember how hard yesterday was when today is better. I am grateful I don't have to work at the moment, but ... work was what I was good at...

Today is a good day and it had better continue because I have a lot to do. On a good day I am indistinguishable from a normal housewife, just not a very good one. On a bad day washing my hair takes a two hour run up. To be honest I am probably going to frantically get through as much today as possible and spend the whole of tomorrow's school day on my bed and do a lot of sitting near the children companionably after school.