I'm so tired I left my toddler in her cot for 2 hours after her nap, just so I could sleep

[wanttosleepforever]

Just that really.

She woke at 10 after her usual hour nap. I heard her wake but was so tired I must've gone back to sleep. I don't think I slept deeply, I just couldn't physically move although I really tried. It's as though I was paralysed. The next time I looked at my clock it was 12.

During those 2 hours I'm sure she had short bouts of tears and then bouts of quiet (not sure whether she snoozed or played with the toy in her cot)

I feel absolutely awful. The neighbours must think I'm neglectful and a bad mum. But I've never done this before. Is it really bad? Has anyone else ever done this? My little girl is in great form now, smiles and running around as usual so I don't think it's effected her too much being left in the cot but who knows? She could have felt that I'd abandoned her or something? I need perspective. I'm so tired I can't think straight.

I feel so tired all the time which is really ridiculous as my toddler is a good sleeper. Even when I get a full 7 or 8 hours sleep I still wake up tired and am tired the whole day. Last night for example she woke at 1am and was awake for about an hour, so I had a disrupted sleep, but nothing too drastic. She usually sleeps through from 7PM to 6am.

I'm irritable and just don't understand how I could be so tired all the time when I know plenty of other mums who have much less sleep than me.

[wanttosleepforever]

Hiya yes I'm feeling a lot better now thank you! I have more energy, and my mood has improved a great deal. I'm just so relieved and pleased. I know my energy levels are still not what they should be, I need to give it time but I definitely feel an improvement. Happy face!

[Ghostsdonttalk]

Hi Wanttosleep, I have been diagnosed as Vit D deficient as well. My levels are 26 Are you feeling any better yet?

[Littlefish]

I'm really glad that you got a diagnosis and that something can be done about it. Try not to worry about the other tests until there is definitely something to worry about (if you see what I mean). Concentrate on looking after yourself, eating well and looking after your baby.

[wanttosleepforever]

Hi everyone

Thank you slim Jim, very encouraging! Glad to hear you have come out of the gloom.

Just been the docs. Apparently my vitamin d level is at 30. (I believe anything under 70 is deficient?) Also have above range red blood cell count, and below range haemoglobin levels. My thyroid and diabetes tests need to be done again. (Worried face)

I've started on vitamin d tablets and got ginseng today so will take those too.

Hopefully I'll be feeling right as rain soon!

[Imnotaslimjim]

Just wanted to update a little, to cheer the op up

I am 2 weeks post diagnosis. And yesterday and today I managed to get out of bed first try, and even stayed up to watch a movie last night. Thats been unheard of since Christmas, 9pm was late for me! so the tablets seem to be working. Hope you feel better soon

[Pooka]

That's really interesting about potential link to IBS. During the bad phase, I was also suffering with very problematic stomach, convincing myself had something terribly wrong (friend's mother had recently had bowel cancer). The low feeling and anxiety I had also exacerbated the symptoms (or my perception of them) to add up to me feeling completely end-of-tetherish.

Fascinating what an impact it can have.

[CoffeeChocolateWine]

Pooka, I reckon vit D deficiency is just something they are more aware of now rather than it becoming more common. The thing is that vit D is not present in that many foods...just some fish I think, and vitamin enriched cereals. The main source is the sun which is why it's so common in winter.

But my doctor (known locally as the Vitamin D Doctor!) reckons that the majority of the population have lower-than-ideal vit D levels and don't even know it. I've noticed recently that loads more breakfast cereals are now vitamin D enriched...like Rice Krispies, Cheerios etc. Two years ago when I was diagnosed they definitely weren't. So I think they are now recognising how common it is - and that it is linked to so many other ailments including, lethargy, depression, even IBS apparently - and trying to improve things.

[Blondieminx]

Brilliant that you have a diagnosis and that you're starting treatment very soon! I bet you feel a huge weight has lifted.

I take a vit D supplement alongside my thyroid pills (the 2 are often interlinked apparently!) and I give DD the VitaBiotics WellKid vitamin syrup which she likes the flavour of (about £5 from boots, she won't take the own brand one and when I tried it I could see why!). I also take SpaTone during and for a couple of days after my period.

[Mellowandfruitful]

So glad they have a definite answer for you! So there's light at the end of the tunnel now.

IME vitamin D seems often to be combined with calcium in supplements rather than given in isolation. Or for a lot of people they get it in multivitamins. I have to be careful with those because they also contain vitamin K which is problematic if you have blood clotting issues, so I need to pick and choose my vitamins. I don't think vitamin D on its own is given much attention in the UK, almost certainly less than it deserves.

[Pooka]

I gave mine abidec vitamins until they were about 4, from about 6 months old.

Am going to buy some cod liver oil capsules tomorrow so I can make sure I have a maintenance dose.

The weather at the moment is so depressing. I'm not a sun worshipper at all, but think as I get older I'm finding the dark evenings and mornings more trying. As a catch 22 thing, I got into the habit of hibernating, which meant that I missed out on midday fresh air and sun of spring/autumn, which probably made the situation worse. Just really going out for the school run meant that I wasn't being hit by a ray of sunlight during the dark winter. Though actually the doctor did say there was no way I'd be able to get back to healthy levels of vit d by exposure to sun, and definitely needed a supplement to get there.

[AlpacaLypse]

I vaguely remember being given Vitamin D as a child - or maybe it was just a massive supplement of everything?

DameDeepRedBetty btw, I got bored and NC'ed about two minutes ago.

[wanttosleepforever]

Thanks Pooka.

I am a sun worshipper. I have an Egyptian dad and Irish mother and my skin is on the olive side, although its been so long since I've had the hot sun on my skin and I am looking well pasty at the moment. I am not usually one for high factor sun cream (this is also bad, I know) except when I was pregnant and being uber nerdy about everything.

I really, really miss the sunshine and find wet weather depressing, as a lot of people do. My skin is screaming out for sun - that tingling sensation you get after a session of sunbathing. Nothing like it.

I have been eating fish and veg by the bucket load since beginning of jan, as I knew something was up. But the diet hasn't helped me feel any better. For me personally, I think its lack of sun.

Does anyone give their baby / toddler VitD supplements? I am thinking he may benefit from them? Interesting that in N Canada it is recommended. I'd never really heard anything about it here, until I started this thread!

[MooseBeTimeForSnow]

Interesting. I'm in Northern Canada, on the same latitude as Northern England. Everyone here is recommended to take a Vit D supplement. Babies usually have drops. Children and adults take gummies or chewables.

[Pooka]

So glad it looks like you've got to the root of the problem.

I am shocked at the prevalence of vitamin d deficiency these days. Never heard of it really before, apart from with children and rickets.

I won't why it's more common now, or whether it's always been quite common but I hadn't a clue.

GP wondered whether people are less inclined to sunbathe and are slathered in high factor sun cream. Or dietary?

I felt way worse with vitamin d deficiency compared to the anaemia I've also had in the past. Knackering.

[wanttosleepforever]

wow I can't get over the effects vit D deficiency has on the human body (I am sitting - or should I say slumped - in work feeling bone tired, after a solid 8 hour sleep)! I am so happy that its nothing serious and soon I will be feeling better. I already feel (marginally) better just knowing what it is thats making me feel so utterly utterly shit.

And seriously, this thread has done wonders for me. Everyone that has posted has made me feel loads better, I'd have been a wreck if it hadn't been for the sanity / sound advice / calming down you have given me. I might not have even rang the doctor if I hadn't posted on here. In fact, I probably wouldn't have; so thank you again.

As I said to my other half - this means a holiday in the sun in the next couple of months - for the sake of my health

We even spoke about the possibility of having another child (not for another couple of years yet!!) - I think we were so relieved it wasn't anything serious that we got carried away haha

[CoffeeChocolateWine]

Only just seen this thread even though it was started a while ago, but reading your posts, you seemed to describe exactly how I was feeling about two years ago. I did happen to be in first trimester of pregnancy too, but I knew it was more than that. And yes, it did turn out to be vitamin D deficiency too.

It coincided with us moving house to a new area and getting a new doctor. I booked an appt to get my maternity care transferred to our new local hospital but also mentioned the crippling tiredness I was suffering with. I thought I probably just had a lot on my plate...pregnancy, moving house, toddler to look after and so much to sort out, but she kept banging on about vit D (I've since discovered that she's known locally as the Vitamin D Doctor!) I was dubious as I was taking Pregnacare supplements so I thought there's no way I'd been deficient. But she insisted on taking bloods. A week later the results came back and she was absolutely right...I had extremely low vit D levels and she started me on a high dose immediately.

I noticed a difference really quickly...it felt like a big cloud in my head had finally cleared and a physical weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt like a different person. Really hope it has the same effect on you.

Take care of yourself

[BitOutOfPractice]

Oh OP I've just read this thread and so pleased you have a reason for feeling how you feel. I hope just knowing there's a valid reason helps a bit too and the treatment sets you right.

And to you Imnot too. Hope you feel better soon

[DameDeepRedBetty]

So pleased to hear there's progress - and that you're seeing the approachable doctor too!

[Imnotaslimjim]

just read through, glad you have a diagnosis. I've recently been diagnosed with VitD deficiency too. I feel lousy, want to sleep all the time and really struggling with going to work and looking after two DC I'm hoping the pills will bring my levels up soon, can't be doing with feeling like this!

[wanttosleepforever]

Hello everyone just really quickly as I'm at work, the receptionist at the doc told me over the phone I have vitamin D deficiency.

So glad I now know what's up with me and can look to remedy it. Going to see female doc on Monday next week.

Thanks again to everyone xx xx

[wanttosleepforever]

Blondie thank you so much . a lovely message. And I wasn't aware of the free prescriptions for under active thyroid so you have taken away a potential worry! Very helpful, thanks xx

[Blondieminx]

Ah I was thinking of you today - great that they have your results - good luck with your appointment and let us know how you get on?

Agree with the previous poster that it's likely they want to be able to get you started on some tabs ASAP so they'll be able to send you out the door with some prescriptions.

If you do have under active thyroid make sure that your doctors surgery sorts you out with a medical exemption certificate, which gets you free prescriptions

[wanttosleepforever]

Hello mellow thanks for your reply. Much appreciated

Good idea, I will insist on the nice female doctor. Waiting times are always so long though that if I can get an earlier time with the bloke doc I might just have to go for it. I can't stand waiting, I need to know what's up, if there is anything, iyswim. I don't suppose the reception staff can disclose the test results? Long shot, but I really really can't stand not knowing.

If there is something, I'll remember to ask for numbers and specific details so I know exactly what where I am with it

Thanks again

[Mellowandfruitful]

If action needs to be taken, my surgery usually wants to discuss it with you face-to-face. That doesn't mean it's bad news or very dramatic, it is just better to check someone really understands what you are telling them. Take advantage and speak to reception to say that - if possible ask if you can see the female doctor. If they discourage you then say you have some personal issues you need to mention to them and want a female doctor for that - anything to get the more approachable doctor. It really helps.

I have also had very severe anaemia in the past - to the point where I was blacking out and had to spend the whole day in bed afterwards. Do ask them about the numbers, because it can be that your results shows you to be mildly anaemic which might mean they don't do anything but your trajectory is that you're getting more and more anaemic. So check exactly what the situation is. But hopefully they now know the score and want to get you treated straight away.

[wanttosleepforever]

Hello

thanks for your encouraging replies

I got a letter from the doc today saying they want me to book an apt with them as soon as possible to discuss the test results

I found this a bit weird that they should write me a letter? If the results were clear, they would've just called me wouldn't they? Maybe I'm just being paranoid and it's just routine?

I'll call them first thing tomorrow.