Nurses. How are you managing the exhaustion?

[Doublefaced]

Cos there ain’t no exhaustion like this exhaustion

I am literally working, sleeping ( badly) working and repeating.
Normally if I feel a but down or a bit run down I can push myself to do a bit more exercise but I literally can’t get my legs to work when I’m off duty.
I know it’s not physical because when I’m at work I can go 12 hours at full throttle.

How the hell are other people managing-it’s a pretty common theme in my team so we’re not really much use to each other in terms of advice! My diet is probably crap. My skin is awful and my house is a bit grubby ( I don’t even get stressed about the housework any more )

@Backbee

Just asked my sister who is struggling at the moment, she said:

Lots of fluids on days off and when home from a shift, she marks how many glasses on an app on her phone as she is out of the habit of staying hydrated and she said it makes her feel quite a bit physically better. Also a multivit everyday.

Peppermint body lotion for legs after a shift (she said to point out it is one of the best feelings in the world)

Headspace app whenever possible, and 15 mins of yoga before work even when it's the last thing she feels like doing and the thought of it sometimes makes her want to cry it really helps her.

Meal prep on days off so the freezer is full of stuff ready to go so not expending extra energy on cooking, but know you have a nice meal every day.

She talks to me sometimes about work and I am always here, but she usually declares chat time work free zone, she said especially with friends it's really great to hear about general life and forget about her job even for a second.

Her DH is absolute gold, and although he works long hours as well in a different sector, he has taken on more around the house and with the DC which she says makes a huge difference because she does not have as much of the mental home load as usual.

She is a very positive person overall, growing up and up until I would say 9 months or so ago, annoyingly and ridiculously so! The kind who would have one leg hanging off and be ah well I still have one left, but she is not the same person at the moment. I really hope once this is 'over' she can come out the other side and be back to herself, but I fear that wont be the case for many.

Please let your family know what you need, tell them, we don't always know the right things to do or say, but we are here.

DH and I struggled a bit with the shift in dynamic. I’ve always been the strong, positive, organised resilient one. To see me crumble in front of his eyes has really shaken him. It shook our marriage but I’ve had to accept that I’m not ‘in charge’ anymore cos I just can’t be. I would be lost without him.

And peppermint lotion sounds amazing

I worked six days last week and then the owner of the home came in for a staff meeting and spent the whole time looking at his watch or his phone and couldn't wait to get out and it was almost the final straw for me.

I can’t sleep and need to be up to home school in the morning. I need to drink more water, I can’t eat a thing on shift and I’m even struggling to drink 500ml of water I just feel like everything is covered in Covid. My hands are in bits too so try and lather them in cream on my days off.

@littleowl1

I can't imagine what you are all going through. Know that there are millions of us thanking God for every inch of your wonderfulness.

We are thinking of you and rooting for you and wishing you all stay safe.

You are our heroes

XXXXX

This. Thank you

I woke up at 4.30 dreaming that someone was pushing the windows open trying to get in. I even felt the cold as the windows were flung open. So that’s a fresh kind of hell. I know what it is, but it needs to stop, I need to sleep.
How was the Nytol, did it do anything?

I like the idea of peppermint leg lotion, @Backbee, thanks for that.

I’ve been vile to my partner last night :(

Nytol helped a bit. I slept until about 4am. Drowning dreams again though although it was POURING with rain when I woke up ( and the window was open!)
Hope home school goes ok today. I have to find tome to call into school to pick up more stuff. 4th time in a week

I am keeping a wellness journal on my days off. It's great, lots of stuff about self care and gratitude. (From papier)
Trying to do some exercise, I have ring fit and I've said only 10 mins, it often turns into much more but saying I only have to do 10 helps the mental block.
I have dogs so I have to go for a walk every day, I try to go to nice places.
Water, trying to drink at least 2 litres a shift.
Eating, I'm trying to lose weight and really focusing on that so I don't eat all the crap that is available at work, this has definitely helped with my energy levels.
Cbd spray, I have a few squirts if I'm feeling overwhelmed and before bed.
Lavender oil in a diffuser by my bed.
I have gentle thunder storms sounds on my phone when I'm trying to sleep in the day, coves background noise and relaxes me, beach sound or something would work as well.
Ignoring school unless it's anything actually important (which luckily it never is), then I'm lucky as youngest is 14 so able to take responsibility for schooling herself.
And lastly no guilt if I feel the need to sit in front of the telly for 24 hours straight.

Sorry and I forgot I have some warming body lotion from sanctuary that a colleague recommended, use on my legs, shoulder and back,helps with the aches.

In a horrible way I am glad to hear that, how I feel is common with HCP.

I try to drink lots of water but struggle at work as I don't want to keep removing my mask. I have given up alcohol because although initially it feels nice, the sleep and feeling the next day is not worth it. I do take vitamin D and try to nap in the day if I can.
One of my colleagues is in ITU and it looks bad. I found out yesterday and just feel floored by it. I am trying to think of the positives each day but they are dwindling. My DH is great but, does not really want to hear or understand. So many colleagues off sick/stress or unwell with covid. The ward is full and it's unbearable. I have that sick feeling every morning before work. I love my job but right now it's killing me.

I have 2 DC 1 who needs help with home schooling as recently received a neuro diagnosis which means his mobility and speech is affected (he is 11). It breaks my heart to see him. I worry about giving him covid as he could be really unwell. But I have to work.

I don't know what to suggest as I have no motivation left. Nytol is good though and audiobooks as I can get lost in that and can't concentrate to read.

We need to stay strong but it is so difficult. Hugs 🤗 to all my fellow HCP. We will keep going because that is what we do. Take care.

Letting go of the guilt is probably the biggest release.
I’ve actually taken today off sick with sinusitis. I’d normally go ahead to work but I have finally given in. DH is delighted. Mind you he’s a bloody hypichondriac who would be off sick every other shift if he got away with it.
I’m still fighting the urge to ‘do stuff’ but have watched TV in the daytime which is a breakthrough. Total shite but a breakthrough at least.
Hope everyone else is ok.

Just a quick note to say, we haven't forgotten about you.

I think sometimes the media has so many sensational headlines (and gosh coronavirus delivers so many) that the wonders of the NHS gets lost - but the vast majority of the people at home know and cherish you.

The very small (but very loud) minority on social media, who question covid or the lockdown, are just that - very small and very loud.

They don't represent our nation and everything we hold dear.

You deserve a break from all of this. And we all can't wait till its over and you get the break you deserve.

Sending you all our best wishes. I wish we could help more than just staying at home.

And if we can, please tell us how.

I dropped a family sized lasagne round to my Nurse/Dr friends last weekend.

She cried because thinking about food for them all has been such a big thing to plan on top of everything else.

If I could do it for you all I would. Seriously though, have your friends got any idea how tough things are for you at the moment? I’m sure they’d happily do what they can to help you out.

Thank you xx

I worked a voluntary 12 hour shift on Sunday to help out in ITU ( not a nurse) and I was absolutely knackered , achy , dehydrated and stressed . Can't imagine how people do it all the time . Our trust has all hands on deck at the moment to help out critical care
And I think it's been an eye opener for everyone .

‘She cried because thinking about food for them all has been such a big thing to plan on top of everything else’

I’ve done a meal plan for the next fortnight. Even the kids have had enough pizza!!

Started a journal. It’s definitely cathartic!

My wife is a ICU nurse, she is struggling, mentally and physically, she says the amount of death is overwhelming!
I have taken the next 2 weeks off work, so I can concentrate on the family home and the kids, so when my wife comes home from work, there is nothing her to do other than have some food, have a bath and then sleep, but she is struggling with the sleep, she says the nightmares are to much, it's always the same dream, bagging up a healthy 22 year old!

She has 2 weeks off at the end of February, then 3 weeks off in March, which is study leave, she is gonna try fly home if possible and spend time with her mum

A big shout out to all the husbands/wives of nurses as well. I know it’s not easy

I thought it was just me.
This thread helps me feel not so alone. I feel the culture of carry on is strong and I feel like a complete failure.
I’m usually good at my job but everything just feels completely overwhelming at the moment. The staffing, acuity etc etc.

I was increasing my exercise and am actually fitter than I’ve ever been, but I just can’t be bothered.
My days off and now filled with entertaining my toddler inside, just not real rest. I’m completely cooked.

Today I’ve practiced what I preach and self referred to a support service. Going to get some cbt. Hopefully that’ll help me build my resilience again.

Fingers crossed.

CBT really helped me (with something else) I still use it now it allows you to focus on you.

I have a colleague on a ventilator and I just can't stop thinking about her, it's horrible like this unspoken thing between us all. I do feel for my husband he tries to help and knows how difficult it is. When this is over I can only imagine how short staffed we will be, long covid/PTSD.

It really is hard trying to give your children quality time when you are so exhausted you want to cry or run away.

What a lovely partner up thread that is exactly what we need, the extra load taken off so we can focus on self care. Even thinking about meals is too much effort but I want my children to eat well. It is a bit sad but I have got an adult colouring book - I am not at all artistic but it really clears my mind. Again second nytol it helps me drop off and I feel more energetic in the morning.

@Doublefaced thank you. We survived another week and things are looking more positive now.
I hope your week has been bearable and you’ve managed to switch off at times.

I'm in hospital at the moment with a flare of chronic illnesses & I'm really quite poorly (I'm an SEN teacher, so not a nurse!), The staff are all being amazing truly. I'm in a private room because I'm on immunosuppressants, but the number of times I've heard nurses talking outside the room to each other and many many many times I've heard them say how exhausted they are and how they've come to this ward (green ward) because they had to ask for a break from the red wards.

I know who's talking and some have said they felt quite tearful, but whenever they come in here they're still being absolutely amazing, if I hadn't heard what theyd said i wouldn't be able to tell they're feeling they cant cope.

You're doing amazing guys. Thank you so so much, this is truly so fucking difficult, traumatic and exhausted and absolutely back breaking for you, but from someone who has spent more time in hospital than she can care to think and relies on the nhs for constant, like, weekly care, you're incredible. Thank you

We've got 14 positive patients in our home as of today and it's fucking exhausting. I feel like I'm constantly on guard with everywhere I sit and everything I touch and I'm conscious to still try and act normal and treat the residents as I normally would and to not scare them or make them feel like lepers when inside I'm really fucking terrified and on edge. I also missed my 80 year old grandmas birthday this week, which I feel awful about. I realise I'm being snappy and short tempered with family at home as it is just difficult to verbalise or explain what's on my mind and why i just don't want to be bothered with or spoken to when I come home sometimes. This sounds strange but sometimes it's easier to be at work and around colleagues and people who 'get it'. In the midst of this storm today the owner put a notice up in the office saying staff lunches from the kitchen are going up by 50p as if that's the most important thing on his mind right now

Partner of DS is an A&E nurse. She says it's only her colleagues that get her through some shifts. I know she's been really upset more than once recently and worries about the level of care when staffing is down to the bone. She has managed to get a bit of annual leave later this month and she can't wait. She's had her first jab thankfully.

DS is a teacher and hates not being in the classroom but it has meant he can spoil his partner and cook for her even more than usual. I've sent her relaxing bath oils, sleep sprays, cosy new leisurewear etc as treats.

Every time I read threads like this or watch TV reports I can't believe how amazing you all are and how little the government really cares despite saying they do. Thank you all

@lostandforgotten

We've got 14 positive patients in our home as of today and it's fucking exhausting. I feel like I'm constantly on guard with everywhere I sit and everything I touch and I'm conscious to still try and act normal and treat the residents as I normally would and to not scare them or make them feel like lepers when inside I'm really fucking terrified and on edge. I also missed my 80 year old grandmas birthday this week, which I feel awful about. I realise I'm being snappy and short tempered with family at home as it is just difficult to verbalise or explain what's on my mind and why i just don't want to be bothered with or spoken to when I come home sometimes. This sounds strange but sometimes it's easier to be at work and around colleagues and people who 'get it'. In the midst of this storm today the owner put a notice up in the office saying staff lunches from the kitchen are going up by 50p as if that's the most important thing on his mind right now

Where are you with regards vaccinations?

@RosesAndLemonade hope you feel better soon