Exhausted, but getting plenty of sleep - any ideas please??

[FredQuimby]

I'm shattered. All the time. I could have a good hour's nap at any moment during the day. When I'm awake, I yawn and struggle not to close my eyes. I get plenty of sleep at night, so have no idea why this could be.

I take an iron supplement (Spa Tone) just in case, take multi-vits and minerals and eat healthily, limiting caffeine and I don't drink much alcohol - maybe once or twice a week. I'm on a fairly high daily dosage of Citalopram for depression, which isn't being helped by my struggle to stay awake.

I'd be very grateful for anyone's thoughts on this. Thanks!

I am exactly the same, and I am also on Citalopram, currently 30mg.

I can sleep for a couple of hours in the day and still go to bed at 11 and have a full nights sleep.

Could still be anaemic as over the counter stuff doesnt do it if you are really low re iron. I would get checked for this.

Snap! I am on 40mg of Citalopram and am so tired especially in the afternoon.

I think it's the Citalopram. I sleep like a log all night so it's not genuine tiredness. I have just had blood tests for anaemia and thyroid function but I expect they will be fine.

I try to exercise by walking once a day and that does help weirdly.

How much of your diet is based on carbohydrate? If you're following the current guidelines for 'healthy' eating, you will be eating around 60% of your diet as carbs, followed by protein and lastly fats.

If you reverse this, you will find that you have vastly more energy.

Thyroid issues? What's your weight like?

I do crave carbohydrates as well BIWI, so that's interesting.

I have the same problem, different drug though but I just googled yours and that has sedative properties too. I was told to take mine as soon as the kids are in bed as it can take a while to "get out of the system" the next day. I found this was true as on the odd occasion I forgot and took it when I went to bed I struggled the next morning. If the tiredness is a problem then go back to your GP and discuss trying something else. Depression itself can cause fatigue, so definitely worth a trip to see the Doc to discuss and make sure it isn't something else like diabetes or thyroid problem. Hope you sort it.

Are you actually getting a good nights sleep? My DP would swear he slept soundly all night and still be shattered [he did not have meds in the mix] He used a sleep app on his ph to monitor his sleep and it should he got 2 hrs solid and the was in a waking mode/lighter sleep after that so sleep was not as restful as he thought.
Could increasing exercise help you? An extra 10-15 min in the out doors --in the non existent sunshine may help]

Should say that I also had blood tests done and thyroid function, iron levels and everything came back as normal.

I used to be a big carb addict, but have really cut down. Tiredness has stayed the same though.

Thanks all. I eat probably around 60% carbohydrate and could definitely do with more exercise. I'm gaining weight, but I thought that was linked to tired = not in the mood to exercise.

The inside of my eyelids is a bit pale, so i think it could be anaemia.

Could be the Citalopram though too (I'm also on 40mg per day).

Thanks very much, all. :)

Oh, yes I take Citalopram early evening and I'm pretty sure I sleep well. Yes, I should exercise more.

Oh, and by the way, I'm DEFINITELY not pregnant. Far too tired for sex!

Sleep apnoea?

My GP told me to take them with breakfast and definitely not before bed. But not everyone was told that from what I can gather on here.

I do snore a lot lately, which is a new thing, so apnoea is a possibility I suppose.

That's interesting Sparkling because of the tiredness the doc told me to take them in the evening.

Also, are you drinking enough water? That can help massively

It's really weird isn't it? My GP said it would play havoc with my sleep if I took it before bed.

I'm also on Citalopram and also experienced overwhelming tiredness. I asked the dr to test me for thyroid function so she did other tests at same time. Turns out I am anaemic so now on iron tablets and starting to feel better.

I think it can be a bit of a vicious circle with depression though. You lack motivation to do anything physical so you aren't physically tired so you don't sleep so well so you feel more tired etc.

I take mine when I go to bed, mainly because at the start I was hoping it might mean I missed some of the side effects.

Try taking it earlier, might help?

I would go back to your GP and ask for the actual results from your blood tests and then do your own research as to what 'normal' is. Thyroid problems are hugely underdiagnosed in this country.
Also worth having vitamin D and B12 tests carried out again asking for the results and 'normal' ranges.

I took my citalopram before bed because it made me too sleepy during the day, that was 20mg.

If you crave carbs google insulin resistant, sorry i cant do links on my phone yet!