Hi everyone,
I have name changed, but have been here for donkeys years!
I'm 44. For the last 2-3 months, I've been really really tired. Like absolutely exhausted.
Sleep wise - I do have odd bad nights, but generally get 7-8 hours, perhaps broken once during the night.
Work - work part time - 2.5 days a week. Pretty stressful job, and it's relatively new so I did wonder if stress was playing a part in my tiredness.
Family - no young children, so pretty relaxed. 2 children aged 15 and 20, nice lads, don't cause he any issues
Married for a long time..!
I've had anaemia before, a couple of times, and this feels similar. So I've been trudging on for a while (I know I shouldn't), but last week decided enough is enough and I'd do an online consultation with the doc. They've requested bloods, which I have booked for this week.
The tiredness is absolutely draining. My joints ache, I need an afternoon snooze (if not at work!), regularly asleep on the sofa by 9-9.30. I have a good sleep routine, in bed by 10.30 and up at 7. Try and stick to that at weekends too.
Now here's my extra concern. Last month a had a bit of spotting, around ovulation time. Didn't think much of it. Today, I've got light bleeding. Not spotting, but like a light period day. Im a couple of days away from ovulation - you could set a diary on me, my cycles are like clockwork.
Im now fretting that there's more to my tiredness than anaemia, and there's something really really wrong.
To pack as much into this post, to answer questions that people may respond with - my periods are always heavy, I flood a lot and have had that particularly over the last 5 years. I was wondering about peri, but my Mum was into her 50's before she started so am I abit young for that?
Another weird thing that I have - my hair is shedding. Loads in the bath after I've washed it. I'm careful with it, comb and not brush, use satin hair ties at night and those springy hair bobbles during the day.
I'm sorry it's so long, it feels good to write it down!
Any insights into what could be going on? Should I be asking for anything in particular at the blood test?
Many thanks for reading