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Tired all the time (TAT)

(28 Posts)
ExDancer Sat 29-Aug-26 11:43:27

Just that really.
I'm not only tired, I'm exhausted and have no appetite. The weather really didn't get anything like as hot here in the north as it did in the south, so I can't blame that.
Maybe diet?
Lack of protein?

My DH has just been diagnosed with dementia so I'm going to have to be stronger - any sensible suggestions most welcome.

kittylester Sun 30-Aug-26 10:30:47

kittylester

He needs to have a dementia diagnosis. Then you are for a reduction on the grounds of dismissed responsibility. There is a 2 sided form to fill in which his doctor needs to sign.

I got this wrong. The council tax forms from you council is the form for Severe Mental Impairment - sorry.

Fallingstar. Contact AgeUk - they have loads of expertise and advice available. They may be able to help you fill in forms but their fact sheets are available on line too.

Fallingstar Sun 30-Aug-26 09:38:31

Aldom

Fallingstar you may find that you do qualify for a reduction in council tax due to your husband's stroke.
I've just Googled and there's a lot of helpful information online.
Good luck and best wishes. smile

Thanks. I will look into it. Thought we were so lucky to get the higher rate AA that I hadn’t thought of anything else.

Aldom Sun 30-Aug-26 09:24:37

Fallingstar you may find that you do qualify for a reduction in council tax due to your husband's stroke.
I've just Googled and there's a lot of helpful information online.
Good luck and best wishes. smile

Luckygirl3 Sun 30-Aug-26 08:58:55

I am sorry for your struggles and the challenges you are facing.

As others have said maintaining your own health is so important, not just so you can be a good carer but because you and your wellbeing matter.
I agree a visit to your GP would be the way forward. State that you do not think this is depression triggered by your circumstances (if that is the case) and would value relevant blood tests before a conclusion is drawn that stress is the cause. It is worth pre-emping that conclusion and being clear with them. That way you have stated your needs.
If it were to turn out to be stress- related then you can ask for help with this, but at least things like anaemia/thyroid etc will have been ruled out.
I used to work with people with dementia and their families and also my late OH had similar problems. Above all else I do think you must value yourself and ringfence time of your own to recharge. I did this with the choir I run and a choral society .... these were sacrosanct all through, and latterly I employed someone to be with him so I could continue to do these things.

Age UK are a mine of information.

Please remember to look after yourself .... you matter

pably15 Sun 30-Aug-26 00:12:18

yes thyroid levels can do that , and it can be missed for a long time even with blood tests

avitorl Sun 30-Aug-26 00:08:24

Have you had your Thyroid levels checked? I suffered quite a long time with extreme tiredness,feeling cold and putting on weight before being diagnosed as hypothyroid. Doctors kept telling me that I was suffering from depression even though I insisted that wasn't correct.
I felt so much better when I actually started correct treatment for my condition

Fallingstar Sat 29-Aug-26 22:32:45

No I haven’t applied Petra but seems it isn’t for those who have suffered a stroke.

Fallingstar Sat 29-Aug-26 22:31:25

Meant to say disabled physically.

Fallingstar Sat 29-Aug-26 22:30:47

kittylester

He needs to have a dementia diagnosis. Then you are for a reduction on the grounds of dismissed responsibility. There is a 2 sided form to fill in which his doctor needs to sign.

That could be difficult because he doesn’t have dementia, he is disabled, has cognitive impairment, and visual impairment, but this is not the same.
Thanks for your reply though.

kittylester Sat 29-Aug-26 20:14:44

Ask for a reduction......
.

kittylester Sat 29-Aug-26 20:14:00

He needs to have a dementia diagnosis. Then you are for a reduction on the grounds of dismissed responsibility. There is a 2 sided form to fill in which his doctor needs to sign.

petra Sat 29-Aug-26 20:09:09

Fallingstar

How do I get a reduction in council tax?
I am my DHs full time carer and he gets the higher rate of attendance allowance.
What do I do??
Had no idea about this.

how do I get a reduction in council tax
I assume you’ve applied and been turned down?

Fallingstar Sat 29-Aug-26 19:58:24

How do I get a reduction in council tax?
I am my DHs full time carer and he gets the higher rate of attendance allowance.
What do I do??
Had no idea about this.

Sarnia Sat 29-Aug-26 19:26:48

Some good advice on here, as usual. I agree with others who suggest seeing your doctor for an MOT. As we age, so do all our bits and pieces. I have had to accept that I cannot jump straight out of bed as I used to or tackle the same amount of housework and gardening in one go anymore.
See the GP and ask about any help you may be able to get for your husband, to lessen the load on you. Thinking of you.

kittylester Sat 29-Aug-26 19:05:14

You could try AgeUk. They sometimes have people they employ. They are expensive though i think - but maybe better than nothing.

Have you had a Carer's assessment done by Social Services. That might help.

Sorry, I help deliver Carer's courses and help run Dementia and MCI Cafes. I do get a bit evangelical though. blush

pably15 Sat 29-Aug-26 18:57:34

Kittylester, thanks for your reply, we do get attendance allowance and council tax reduction, I did try to get help with grass cutting but never realized it was so difficult to find anyone willing to just mow the grass and strim the edges, some people just don't even reply.

kittylester Sat 29-Aug-26 17:09:15

Pably please contact Admiral Nurses to see if they can signpost you to services that can help you.

They can signpost you to services that can check you are getting all the benefits to which you are entitled. Eg Attendance Allowance - which is not means tested. And a reduction in Council Tax which could enable you to pay for help in the house.

And, try to socialise with other carers - it really helps to know you are not the only one coping with it.

pably15 Sat 29-Aug-26 16:26:36

ex dancer, I'm in the same position as Shelflife, OH diagnosed over 4 years ago, but small changes that you don't connect with dementia starts long before then. He was given Donepezil which slows it down,and it has.but it wears you down when you have to do everything now. I'm always tired, I fall asleep after dinner every day, I get angry with him and I know I shouldn't, he can't help it, now I find that I'm crying a lot and so sorry when I do get angry. sometimes it's a very lonely place to be
but we carry on and just do our best, don't tire yourself out trying to do too much,as someone else said ...online shopping helps a lot, I do mine that way, take care

fancythat Sat 29-Aug-26 13:10:34

If I remember correctly, you are one of the older posters on this forum?
You may need some extra help now that your DH has been diagnosed?
And did you/do you have a farm?

Good posts above.

Shelflife Sat 29-Aug-26 12:22:56

My husband was diagnosed with dementia 2 years. I felt the same - still do at times.
Symptoms of dementia are present long before diagnosis- although we probably didn't recognise those Symptoms for what they were! So the stress/tiredness you feel is probably a result of having to cope with complex changes in your husbands character prior to diagnosis.
My thoughts are with you as you transition from partner to carer. It is a lonely place to be in. Admiral nurses are wonderful. , do contact them for support. Carers are at great risk of physical/emotional ill health. I am doing my best to preserve my health for both our sakes. The Alzheimers Association has a wealth of information too.
After 52 years of marriage our situation breaks my heart. I have come to the conclusion that when /if I can no longer cope I will consider residential dementia care. My consolation is that in my husbands case he is in happy oblivion!!
Me on the other hand ..............!?
We and many others must protect ourselves if we care to care for our partners- easier said than
A GP appointment may be a sound idea.
Best wishes.

Elusivebutterfly Sat 29-Aug-26 12:19:25

Like others have said stress can make you exhausted.

If you now have to do everything with your husband being too ill to do his share, do you have a cleaner and gardener, or can you afford to employ one? This would help a lot.
Do you do online shopping? I do and it really helps.

Fallingstar Sat 29-Aug-26 12:09:06

Stress levels over your DH could have floored you. When my husband had a massive stroke I felt like a zombie.
But do check in with your GP who will suggest taking your bloods which will show if you are low in iron or could point to something else.
In the meantime try to rest, if you feel exhausted your body is telling you to do this so don’t fight against it and make sure you are eating a high protein green vegetable or green leaf salad diet with plenty of fresh fruit.
All the best.

Gran22boys Sat 29-Aug-26 12:07:10

Our mental state can definitely affect our physical health. Worries can overwhelm us resulting in tiredness. Do get checked of course though.

Iam64 Sat 29-Aug-26 12:03:23

Don’t underestimate the emotional impact on you of your husband’s diagnosis. On reflection I pushed on when my husband had a terminal diagnosis. I’ve had infections and exhaustion this year and I m sure care then bereavement and shock key in this
Do take care of yourself

Graphite Sat 29-Aug-26 12:01:28

Lack of sunlight if you stayed out of it in the heatwave. Low Vitamin D can cause tiredness.