Tiredness

Bopeep14
Get your B12 tested. Could be that your very low.

Commiserations and join the club Bopeep, I flag in the afternoon as well, sometimes I think carbs. can make us tired and mid afternoon is a classic time for energy levels to take a dive as I gather digesting saps energy.

I'm going to try and just do soup and fruit for a while midday to see if that makes a difference.

If you say you've had your bloods tested for say hypothyroidism, although I've read that a blood test isn't always conclusive for this condition then I guess it just down to a general lack of energy in the aging process. Anyway, I take Thyroxine and it doesn't make a lot of difference still tired. Exercise and diet are the answer I gather if you don't have any underlying conditions.

I did read you'd had tests done but ask to be tested for Pernicious Anaemia - B12 deficiency. Drs often don't test for this. Google PA and B12, see what you think.

Hang on in there and if you think you might have B12 problem DON'T take anything until you've been tested as it will skew the results and getting treatment for PA is a fight at the best of times.

If you do go down the test for PA route there are things to help while you wait for the results. You can get B12 Sublingual Spray or Sublingual Tablets from either Holland and Barrett or on line.

Even if you don't have PA B12 can be a big help in upping energy levels as can many other things but if you do choose to use any B12 vitamins the Sublingual ones are more efficient.

Good Luck with getting sorted. It's awful when you have things to do and run out of energy to do them especially looking after young ones.

Terribull - I used to get that mid-afternoon slump linked to high-carb lunch. However, soup and fruit midday won't help - better to have something with protein such as egg or cheese - keeps you going longer.

Bopeep - as others have suggested, hypothyroidism or B12 deficiency could be cause of tiredness (or lots of other things including heart) . I'd persist with doctor a bit more - many dismiss women who complain of being tired all the time. I've a friend whose doctor first told her "what do you expect with 5 children?" She was eventually diagnosed hypothyroid and some years later with heart problem - needed pacemaker.

I flag all day.

Sorry to mention this, but could it simply be down to natural ageing?

If there is nothing amiss with your health and assuming that you are getting reasonable sleep, then perhaps it is time to cut down on the amount of childcare that you provide?

A good rest would be the answer to give you time to " re-charge your batteries " or you will be ill and unfit to look after the children----you need a break.

I suffered from this for ages. Like you, all blood tests were normal. Then I bought some black seed oil.
It’s been fantastic. For the first four days I would wake up with a headache. This did wear off. But during the day I have so much more energy. It’s brilliant. No afternoon slumps and I’ve been sleeping better too.
If you want to know where I got mine from, or more info message me. (And no. I don’t work for the company or know anyone who does).

Sorry but no way can any kind of black seed oil, or any other kind of food supplement, fight off the effects of getting old.

Not sure about other peoples doctors..but no way could I go in mine (big practice) and say "Could I have a blood test for such n such a thing" bad enough getting an app let alone asking for a blood test for a certain thing.

I do have yearly blood test/cholesterol etc.if nothing shows in these I don't think they would be too keen me asking again

Bopeep, it's incredibly tiring looking after DGC - you probably just need a little break. One night I thought I would not have the energy to get undressed, let alone eat, but mostly I just try to sleep whenever I can and for as long as I can. I have only one DGS to look after and it sounds like you have more - it's just really tiring, there's probably nothing the matter with you at all except exhaustion. ?

But! on saying that....if I was persistently tired unwell ect then I would have to badger them.

VitaminD deficiency causes chronic tiredness. My levels weren't registering at all when I was tested.
It took massive doses of Vitamin D for six weeks to combat it, but it worked.
If you are really worried, perhaps a GP visit is needed. It could be any number a of things causing it, there is no point in speculating.
I hope you feel better soon.

Vitamin B12 deficiency also causes dreadful tiredness but I was assuming that all of these vitamin deficiencies had been ruled out by the GP? If not then definitely worth checking.

Feeling tired when you are getting old is due to just that. getting older.

I have a nap every afternoon 1-3 pm and then its coffee time and I carry on working or shopping or whatever till 7 p.m.

My GCs are all teenagers and some don't even live nearby so I'm free to do as I want.

We in western Europe get all the vtamins we need. We only need a tiny amount , the rest of the vitamin scare is due to money making . Save your money and buy yourself a treat or some new shoes.

And if you are tired then sit down. Tell the GCs you are tired. My GM did when I was small and my mother said 'go away I want to read'
We spoil children nowadays.

We in western Europe get all the vtamins we need : MargaretX, I wish that was true, but unfortunately it didn't apply to me.
My VitaminD levels were so low, they didn't register at all.
My osteoporosis consultant prescribed exceptionally high doses, so high my GP questioned the dose.
If you are a fair skinned, red head living in Scotland, you are even more prone to Vitamin D deficiency.

Thank you for all your thoughts, it’s definitely not vitamin D deficiency as I take vitamin D each day. Vitamin B12 maybe, I just need something to help me get through the afternoons. I remember my mum used to take pro plus but it just makes me fidgety. Has anyone paid for a blood test, looked online B12 is £39 are they proper tests do you think.

I took prescription strength VitaminD daily and it still wasn't enough. No-one suspected that was the problem.

There could be a number of reasons for your tiredness.
Would you not consider seeing your GP, even if it takes weeks to get an appointment?

I remember the awful tiredness when I was pregnant but that was because I was anemic, a tiredness unlike any other, absolutely no energy to move, dreadful feeling. But as you have had all the blood tests I would say just exhaustion from looking after your DGC. But I would still have a word with the GP.

It's perfectly normal to feel tired after lunch, and quite in order to have a nap. Think of the siestas our European cousins have, it's part of the days routine. It isn't an indulgence.

Lots of factors to consider.

Dehydration can make you tired. Are you drinking enough fluids? Try having a couple more cups of tea a day, it can be easy to go without when you’re buzy.

Are you overweight? Did the GP test you blood sugar? A diet rich on carbs can cause tiredness. Perhaps less carbs and a bit more protein might help.

What about your quality of sleep? Are you worried or anxious? Or bored?

Lovely though they are GC can be wearing and perhaps you need some adult company during the day. Is there a Play and Stay Group near you where you can meet other adults while they play?

Also I’d ask your GP what tests were carried out and see if there is more investigation to be done? Thyroid springs to mind.

Or perhaps it’s the time of year. I always feel more invigorated during the summer months.

Hope you feel better soon.

Hi, Bopeep.This was me last year.I was working part time, looking after ddc, plus an elderly mum,running a home , Dh did what we could, but we had early 4.30 mornings. I just kept going, then found around 2pm in the afternoon I was so tired I felt sick could rarely eat at teatime, despite cooking a meal .Now a year on dh has retired I no longer look after dgc , their now at school and nursery and I feel so much better .Looking back I don't know how I did it, I'm in my early 60s .Try and cut down where you can and be kind to yourself.Hope you feel better soon.

Thank you all, certainly given me something to think about. ?