always so tired

coffeetalker · May 23, 2016

Are you doing days or nights? If you are doing nights, try to get on some kind of routine for it. And there are always the standard things- diet, exercise..... and I'm wondering have you ever had your thyroid checked? Good luck.

amoLucia · May 24, 2016

We can't give med advice per TOS, but have you had a recent physical with bloodwork recently. I ask because I just recently had BW come back with some issues that were unexpected. Totally out of the blue!!!

quazar · May 24, 2016

If you're rotating shifts, it's understandable. Even if you aren't, it's understandable. Nursing is a hard line of work, and adjusting to 3 12's a week is really really hard on your body. I remember feeling exactly like you, and yeah, I gained a lot of weight. Things that help me not feel miserable: exercise (yes, I know, I know...but hear me out), making plans with people and following through, eating fruits and vegetables, and showering daily. Small things, but they make a big difference.

As for the exercise thing, don't just join a gym, or do something that is traditional "exercise." Do something you LIKE. For example, I love love love LOVE riding my bike, and really consider it a treat to ride by myself for a couple of hours, with no one bugging me and no one asking me for things or making demands. It's peaceful. I also love kayaking. I will happily do THOSE activities because I genuinely enjoy them and won't think of them as "exercise." Go birdwatching if you want, as long as it involves a lot of walking. It still counts. As long as you're off your butt and moving on your days off.

Making plans and following through sounds weird, but social interaction with people you like and choose to be with (unless you're a hardcore introvert and it exhausts you) can rejuvenate the soul and make you feel worlds better. It's one thing to be at work and be forced to interact for 12 hours, but entirely another to make a lunch date or just go for a walk with a friend for an hour by choice. The former is draining, while the latter can be fulfilling.

Showering every day sounds nuts and like a big "duh," but if you're anything like the typical nurse on their day off, you don't want to even move, let alone shower. Showering wakes you up, makes you feel refreshed and helps you start anew. Put on fresh clothes, brush your teeth, and put on shoes. Then you have no excuse to be a blob all day.

Go on Pinterest and look up easy healthy snacks, and stock your fridge with quick grab and go snacks of fruits and veggies. Keep water bottles filled and in your fridge. If it's right there and available for you to grab, you're more likely to be compliant. Diet DOES make a difference.

Hope this helps. Hope you feel better. :)

amoLucia · May 24, 2016

I agree with PP quasar re showering as a pick-me-up. It does work. I'm a SAH retiree with some health issues and being a SLUG is reallllly easy. But showering, getting dressed and teeth care does help.

I still stand by my earlier post to make sure you've ruled out underlying health issues, even something as simple as a vitamin deficiency can be debilitating. But get it checked out.

You can also treat yourself to something silly like a special coffee mug or teacup with a special spoon to splurge on daily freshly ground coffee bean brewed coffee and/or specialty tea. It sounds guiltily silly but it does satisfy the soul and you look forward to that little treat with great relish.

((Hope all works out for you.))

_zoubisoubisou_ · May 24, 2016

Thanks everyone. I do shower daily, haha, I can't function without it..for real. I had some blood work done so I'll get those soon. I do need to get in to some kind of active regimen. I'm sure that will help me wake up and have some energy. It's just a matter of not making excuses, which I am a pro at!

quazar · May 25, 2016

Thanks everyone. I do shower daily, haha, I can't function without it..for real. I had some blood work done so I'll get those soon. I do need to get in to some kind of active regimen. I'm sure that will help me wake up and have some energy. It's just a matter of not making excuses, which I am a pro at!

You are a better woman than I am, haha. I shower after my shift, but on my days off, if I don't have plans, I'm like, "meh....showering takes too much wooooooooooooorrrk."

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · May 26, 2016

Do you mind sharing how old you are? I had been struggling with a similar problem and worsening fatigue for the past couple years. It had gotten so bad I didn't even know if I could continue grad school. I ended up going to a bioidentical hormones specialist and having a bunch of blood work done only to find out my adrenals were shot, my thyroid was having issues, my ferritin was in the toilet and my hormones were all messed up. I've been getting treatment for the past two weeks and feel better than I have in years! Your body is trying to tell you something's wrong. You should listen. I'm in my late 40's and heading for menopause and it's traditionally a time in a woman's life where these things start to go wrong.

_zoubisoubisou_ · May 26, 2016

I'm 30. I have had my thyroid checked in the past for this same reason, but it appears it's fine. I have been told my vit D levels are slightly low, but slightly low and how tired I am doesn't add up. Maybe I'm just reeeeaaalllly lazy lol. I am going to try to get more active.

amoLucia · May 29, 2016

OP - if you're astute enough to be concerned that something just isn't right with yourself, then you're probably right. I doubt you would be dismissing a pt's similar concerns, so why do it to yourself??? I'm in the middle of something right now that I wasn't really listening to for a while, so I understand.

Just keep plugging away with a good PMP. Take care of yourself, esp to treat/reward yourself as poss. Maybe lose a few pounds if that might help (I'm dieting again and little bits DO help).

((Good luck.))