18 weeks and completely exhausted, not coping, any advice?

[spilttheteaagain]

I'm 18+3 today and for the last 4-5 weeks have been getting more and more exhausted.

I work 5 days a week, 45 min commute each way to work. I have had to take holiday days to shorten some weeks, and sick days when I've been too tired to manage work.

I fall asleep at my desk, I get terrible headaches and then feel sick and dizzy if I'm really whacked, and last week ended up running a temperature as well which lead to me spending 2 solid days in bed.

I go to bed at 8pm every night. DH does nearly everything round the house. I pretty much hang around on the sofa all weekend and keep napping and I am STILL exhausted and can't cope.

I feel terrible about my frequent erratic absence from work. What can I do? Would it be sensible to see a GP? What might they suggest?

Thanks all

Go to see your GP, they will probably sign you off. Even a week doing nothing may do wonders for your energy levels!

Yes, see your GP. You should get the headaches checked out, and be checked for anaeamia, vitamin D deficiency, etc. And they may suggest you take some time off sick to rest.

Could you work from home?

Poor you, that's horrid. I'm also 18 weeks and whist I've not had all the same things as you, I've had horrid headaches and haven't been sleeping. It really does make you feel crappy so I really feel for you.

When was the last time you had a good break? I agree with the others, you might just need a bit of time off to relax and catch up on some much need zzzz's. Go and see your GP and ask him to sign you off for a week.

xx

Thanks for your messages. It is hard to know sometimes what is normal that you should soldier on through, and what is too much and justifies a break. I've just made an appointment for Friday afternoon so will see what the doc says.

Japhrimel, I did mention headaches to my MW who thought it was most likely connected to my bad sleeping and tiredness. My BP is low at 110/55 so nothing to worry about there.

At 12 weeks my blood tests gave my iron levels as 13.7 which is apparently very good, but I suppose they could have plummeted since then so might be worth getting them checked again.

sadly I can't work from home, so it's go to work and work or be off sick. Reduced hours might be a good compromise.

splittheteaagain the GP can sign you off for a length of time and after this can give you a sick note which details that you are only able to work on reduced hours - it's what's happening to me. I sympathise as I've been rubbish - at 4 weeks was signed off with nausea and only now, at 19 weeks, am I going back to my GP tomorrow to ask her if I can try and go back to work on reduced hours - and to be honest I won't manage more than an hour or so of work a day. I really find resting eating and not stressing the only things that help - so long as I have quiet days at home doing what I can manage I don't feel too terrible, but as soon as I try and do much I feel absolutely awful - it's frustrating but have no option but to go with it. Ialso agree it's hard to know what's normal pg and what is bad, and I think sadly we are both just having a bit of a rubbish time. Hope a rest will help.