Too tired to do anything on days off

j0yegan · Jul 9, 2014

Yeah, I mean I DO do things... like wash dishes, clean, do laundry, cook, etc. I just want to relax on my days off and do nothing. I work at work then work at home. I can't imagine what it'd be like with kids someday.

I get 6.5-7 hours of sleep every night before a shift. I think that's more than the average nurse.

martymoose, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2014

I'm in that boat. 2 or 3 shifts in a row and my next day I am a complete waste. I usually have insomnia- this last stretch I slept 10 hours straight with no benadryl or anything.still was a complete waste when I woke up. But next day after that I managed to get things done. Thought it was my age, but then my coworker who is almost 15 years younger than me said the same thing( although she's going to NP school too)

My pcp ( who I won't go to anymore unless im dying , lol) said work is not considered exercise. Even if I am on my feet with no break for 13 hours straight. It's a no- win situation.

It's too bad because I don't even feel like doing anything fun anymore, as I'm too tired.

I feel your pain, OP.

sistrmoon, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2014

I would get vitamin D level, blood counts and thyroid checked, but I feel the same. I'm caring for 2 young kids on my days "off" and it's rough.

j0yegan · Jul 9, 2014

My blood work is good.

And how is 12-13 hours of being on your feet not considered exercise? Last time I checked, moving around all day is different than lying down all day...

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 9, 2014

My blood work is good.
And how is 12-13 hours of being on your feet not considered exercise? Last time I checked, moving around all day is different than lying down all day...

It's not considered exercise because it is your normal level of activity. Stinks , I know.

I am old and decrepit, but I do a Hasfit 15 minute workout every day. I feel much better with exercise.

Whoatemyburger · Jul 9, 2014

Nurse 18 months . I was extremely tired to the point I was not able to do anything . Well , I was hypothyroid!!! Now I feel so much better !!!

anbook · Jul 9, 2014

I also feel tired when I work two to three shifts in a row. I work ltc and it can be very draining. Once I get home all I want to do is soak my feet and take a mental break. I try to spend quality time with my family but end up falling asleep on them. I force my self to get some sort of exercise in and that helps a lot. After my third day off I feel energized. Luckily I am part time and have time to recuperate before starting the cycle all over again.

caliotter3 · Jul 9, 2014

Agree that a physical exam with labs is a good idea. Amazed that a new doc discovered a Vit B deficiency and I felt so much better with the simple addition of B-12! Had I only been told that months earlier!

chopwood carrywater · Jul 9, 2014

I refer to those types of days as my "zombie days".

j0yegan · Jul 10, 2014

Agree that a physical exam with labs is a good idea. Amazed that a new doc discovered a Vit B deficiency and I felt so much better with the simple addition of B-12! Had I only been told that months earlier!

Like I said, my blood work is good. It's just nursing... and side effect of birth control pills. :/

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2014

When I worked in the hospital, I could motivate myself to do little more than watch Maury paternity test episodes. Now, though I work Mon-Fri, I do something after work almost every day and am gone pretty much every weekend that I'm not on call.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2014

I used to feel very tired on my days off but I worked 12.5 hour nights with few days of rest sometimes. Now that I'm working days, I get more sleep.

However, it's a catch 22 because I'm naturally wired for nights so I have to force myself to go to bed.

I became anemic as a result of all the hours and not eating red meat for a long time, which was also why I was so fatigued. Pills did not help, so I ended up requiring monthly IM iron for a year. I feel better now, but as others have mentioned, get some blood work done. I would never have suspected I was anemic.