I'm just fed up of feeling run down now

[HealthConcerns]

As the title says really. It's been going on a while.

I've had covid now 3 times in 14 months and each time is more hard to recover from. I'm a month out from my last dose and I'm shattered from the slightest exertion. Breathing like I've ran a marathon.

I'm not sleeping well at all, I take ages to fall asleep and wake several times a night.

Periods are awful, I'm so heavy that it's a good job I wake up at night as I need to change protection twice a night. I wasn't bleeding when I went to bed last night and 3 hours later I woke to a river running down my legs. I'll add I'm waiting for endocrinology referral as my prolactin is high so this may be the cause.

Also waiting for a breast screening appointment under the 2 week wait scheme as found a breast lump.

This is all causing my mental health to take a battering and I just feel tearful all the time.

My weight is quite high, bmi of about 37 so can't help but think I've bought all this on myself. But can't seem to shift my weight no matter what I do.

A pity post really but just after a hand hold whilst I navigate all these hurdles.

Thank you

Im really sorry you’re going through this. It sounds really similiar to me - run down to the point of not functioning, ongoing breast screening investigations, awful mental health cause by all this but obvs contributing to it too.

Feel like I’m just in a horrible limbo, and until health stuff is sorted I just don’t know a way forward. When is your breast appointment?

@sofabedsofa I'm still waiting for the appointment. Have been told it should be within 2 weeks.

Im so sorry your going through this too. It's just unfair really. And managing a home, job and kids aged 9 and 15 too and I'm just not getting the rest I need either. My husband tries but he's working too which makes it harder really

I’m just about holding on by dropping my standards and trying to be kind to myself. It’s really hard though. I just keep trying to hold onto the belief that a better future exists. The waiting is just the worst part. When did you get referred? Once you’re in the hospital system, everything speeds up a lot.

I feel like shit at the moment too
I've been ill all year with 3 colds, a kidney infection and tonsillitis
Plus I have HPV which I can't shift so I'm fully expecting to have more complication s from that
I have chronic itching but I think it might be stress and partly in my head
My mental health is also on the floor

I’m sorry to hear that @qqq82 - physical health problems just wreck mental health. I know what you mean about not knowing whether stuff is just in your head. I imagine kidney infections are especially nasty - no wonder you’re feeling so run down.

Well it's been almost 3 weeks since I saw GP but not heard anything so will be chasing that up.

I've now got an ear infection, so fed up now.

Sounds mad but I'm thinking of going back to either veggie or vegan. I used to be vegan and it was the healthiest I've felt. Was still a bit overweight (think that lingers from childhood) but nothing more than a bmi of about 27. That plus lots more water, maybe some multi vitamins, more sleep (haha, that won't happen) and some more exercise, could walk to work which is about 30 mins each way.

@qqq82 so sorry you are feeling so rubbish. Do the doctors have any idea why you can't shift the HPV?

Can I ask are you taking vitamin D? The doctor told me to take the higher concentration 2000iu, and it’s honestly been such a life changer. I’m so sorry you’re going through this, hope you get a bit of a break x

Highly recommend starting some iron supplements asap backed up by a multivitamin. Floradix has really helped me recover from covid this most recent time.

Upping your fruit and veg intake will make you feel better but going completely vegan seems a bit drastic and hardcore. Can I ask, politely, if you have issues with binge eating, because if you do then you’ll probably know that restrictive diets only make that worse.

Walking to and from work is a good idea if feasible with your schedule and fitness. Not just for exercise but you could find a podcast you enjoy and use it as a bit of time to yourself?

Really hope you do start feeling better soon. It never rains but it pours 😔

@stayathomer no, I don't take any vitamins or supplements at all. Have been thinking for a while I should

@Zerobeero not binge eating exactly as I can go without certain foods for ages unless I buy it, I don't have cravings or compulsions for things. It's more snacking that's got me to this size.

That said on holiday or if we go out for a meal I eat more than usual

Did you have thyroid blood tests too?

What type do you take? I think I’m deficient.

@BreakingPointAgain yes, all was normal other than my prolactin which was high, which is why I'm being referred to endocrinology

Vitamin D tongue spray.
B vitamins complex.
In 2 weeks you will start having more energy

I still barely slept last night, despite being so tired my eyes were closing sat on the sofa watching tv, my Apple Watch said I got 5 hours 47 mins.

I'm half tempted to say to my husband to just Chuck a duvet over me if I fall asleep on the sofa.

Also tempted to see if the budget can stretch to a cleaner as I think I'm doing too much.

I work two 11 hour days, one 8 hour day and one 6 hour day (one breaks have been taken away), walk 45 mins each way and I do all the housework, other than dishes, bins and cat tray.

The kids are 8 and 15 so are capable of helping but they don't do much.

It sounds like you have a LOT going on. It's tough, I hear you.

A few small things I'd recommend right up front: like others, you need to look at some supplements. You don't state your age but it sounds like you're heading into peri-menopause (also something your GP should be checking). In the short term, an OTC iron supplement, vitamin D and magnesium would be good. I always highly recommend Omega 3 as it completely transformed my terrible peri-menopausal sleep issues. My sleep isn't perfect, but it's a LOT better than it was.

You also clearly need a break. you're working long hours but also doing all the chores at home. why is that? it's time to insist that the DC step up and, even more so, your DH. You need to be taking time for yourself. At the very least, start with an hour to go upstairs, have a bath, relax on the bed while someone else makes dinner, cleans up after etc. that hour will be more rejuvenating than three hours collapsed on the couch watching tv after you've done everything.

Obviously, the old fashioned, "drink lots of water" is probably not bad advice in a general sort of way.

Keep pushing to be seen by doctors and to get proper assessments and blood tests though. because these things can only go so far if there are real underlying causes.

PS Covid's a bitch. I've also struggled to recover, the first time especially!

@stayathomer
what diffence has vit d made for you ? Can you detail it ? Thanks

I think he's not doing much for two reasons really. The first is he does 40 hours a week so he thinks as he works more than me he should do less around the house. The 2nd is he picks up a lot of the slack with the kids stuff when I'm at work, drop offs, pick up, homework etc.

I was checked back in September for all my hormones as my mum went through menopause at 38. Im 36 now and whilst they didn't show menopause they were only "satisfactory" for someone my age and when I looked them up it was lower end of normal so I do wonder if I've gone a bit further towards perimenopause.

I got in at 8pm this evening. I quickly ate my dinner, showered the youngest and then said bugger it I'm going to bed. Left them all to it downstairs and I'm now in bed with a (decaf) cuppa and a book, ready to hopefully sleep.

But I definitely need less responsibility and more rest time that's for sure

Mercedesbenz2022
what diffence has vit d made for you ? Can you detail it ? Thanks
Just less lethargy, less of a slumpy feeling, a huge boost, joints not sore anymore. I don’t know how to describe it- everything is just less of a slog x

@stayathomer Thanks , ‘less of a slog ‘ sounds like a good outcome , will try this

In terms of your DH, I think the key thing is do you both get the same amount of "sit on your butt" time? Because it's all very well saying you work fewer hours and he does the school runs, but if you're working a 12 hour day, coming home and making dinner while he's picking the kids up at 5 then heading out to football before coming home to watch a movie... there's a problem. It doesn't sound like he's completely useless, but perhaps a few shifts are needed - eg on your late nights he makes dinner or he's responsible for changing bedding or something. And yes, the old, "get a cleaner" might be the answer. Ours only comes fortnightly but it makes a huge difference.

Re peri menopause, something a friend and I discussed recently is that the NHS thresholds for "normal" are on the low side for most things compared to other countries. Most likely this is a side effect of a national health service that is massively underfunded. it doesn't mean they don't care, just that things do tend to have to be worse for any kind of intervention. At 38, it's probably a bit early for HRT or similar anyway, but taking the supplements that women in peri menopause take won't do you any harm and will most likely help. As people have suggested above - a good iron (floradix), vitamin D, magnesium and, my recommendation of Omega 3 are all a good start. I saw a specialist at 43 who strongly recommended a good regime of supplements as I started experiencing peri-menopause symptoms. she was particularly keen on evening primrose oil but I figure my omega 3 covers that.

Bloody hell that's a lot you are doing. Go on strike with the family. Get them to pull their weight as if you weren't there. They are taking you for granted.

Mercedesbenz2022

Just perhaps make sure to ask in the pharmacy first- my doctor recommended it

Mercedesbenz2022
Sorry, hit enter by mistake! Just to be sure in case you get too much vitamin d. Best of luck with it all, really sorry you’re going through this