Fatigue - how do you cope?

[ThousandMiles]

Hi everyone, 

Just wondering if anybody else experiences extreme fatigue as a side effect of depression? I'm suffering quite badly from it at the moment, and it makes everything such an effort. I feel drained and crushed constantly, and no matter how much sleep I get it doesn't go away 😕 And I try not to use caffeine because I got addicted to it in the past, and it also makes my anxiety levels high.

Does anyone have any ways they use to cope with extreme tiredness??

[Neil_1]

Hi ThousandMiles (both interesting name and interesting pic that you've got displayed)

Has this feeling been occurring for some time now?   I think tiredness and fatigue can be attributed as by products from depression and perhaps even linked to some of the medications that we're on.  But you've mentioned kind of the 'next level' by saying it's extreme, which is a bit of a cause for concern.

Are you on meds for your depression?

I would suggest (if you haven't already) to go and see your GP to discuss this.

May I also just ask about how your diet is and also your water intake.  I'm very much into fitness and I know from all the study and reading I've done over the years that water is highly important for the human body and not being properly hydrated can easily lead to excessive fatigue.

I would further suggest that if your diet isn't perhaps as good as it could be, then this could also be a factor.

Having said that, if you've got both the food intake and water intake adequately covered, then I'd be definitely heading along to your GP.

I would like to hear back from you though ThousandMiles about some of my questions from above.

Kind regards

Neil

[ThousandMiles]

Hi! (aha, really? Name is because I moved thousands of miles away from my home country, picture is a character from a show I like. I like your picture though!)

It has been, yeah, it's one of the first things that made my GP think I had depression.

I am on meds for it, but there's a problem with the dosage at the moment so I'm going to get that rectified 🙂

Pretty sure I don't get enough water each day, or iron actually, now I think about it... so I'll definitely talk to my GP about those things. Didn't realise hydration was a factor O.o

Thanks so much for your reply + advice, means a lot 🙂

[triforceofcourage]

Hi, just read your introduction and decided to take a quick read here. I feel drained a lot of the time and I never have the energy to get up and do something. The fact I eat lots of pizza and chocolate doesn't help, but I can relate with this situation. I looked it up a while ago and I believe this is called chronic fatigue syndrome.

Do you work at all? Even if I don't have the energy, it forces me to get up and go into town and I have no choice otherwise I risk losing my job. I also agree with the diet and hydration, a friend told me vitamins are also good although I'm not familiar with vitamins in general. Sleep is also important, getting into a routine of going to bed at a certain time and getting plenty of sleep helps you function properly though the day, although if you have troubles with sleeping as well (insomnia etc.) then this could be a bit tricky.

Sorry if I didn't help much but I wanted to add what I could. It's good to see other people with the same issues, it shows that we aren't alone! 🙂

[SillySonia]

I am going through this myself at the moment. Its very debilitating. I usually get over it but am going through the longest fatigue period yet. Its been about 7 months now.

[lethal55]

hi thousandmiles

fatigue is a hard thing to cope with and can be caused by lots of things

most likly its the meds your on

but could easly be a vitamine diffishency

i have chronic fatige and fiber myalger whitch cause fatigue

and my body douse not hold vitamine d

when i worked at one job had to stand in minuse 30 cool room  for 5 minits every couple of hours to drop body tempretur

that helped i do sleep better on cold nights even if i only get 1 hour whitch is my average these days

depression is a hard thing to deal with as everyone is differnt

i personly can not cope on meds for depression as i can not stay awake 

see your gp get bloods done or go have a nice meal and chat with a freind

what ever helps   sleep well lethal

[ThousandMiles]

SillySonia, I hope you are feeling alright. Just know that it will get better, even though it feels terrible now. 
Maybe you should also try staying hydrated and upping your vitamin intake? I'm certainly going to try that, hope it works for both of us!

Triforceofcourage, I don't work, but that sounds like a pretty good way of keeping it relatively controlled. I do have tutoring and I make sure to meet up with people and go out and stuff, so that does give me something to get up for. Same sort of idea I guess? 🙂
No don't be sorry, thanks a lot for the reply 🙂 I'll keep your words in mind ^_^

[Neil_1]

Hi there 1609.3km's (I'm sorry I literally can't help myself some days for being silly)

That is great to hear about how you feel that you perhaps need a review of your meds and yes, going to your GP to check on this is an excellent idea.

And yes, ask your GP about your diet, etc ... and perhaps even ask whether some of those tablets that of the 'multi-vitamin' nature could be beneficial for you as well.  I'm not going to get you to get them - as I would want your GP to make sure that they are ok for you to take.  Although I suspect that they would be fine, but it's always important to just check first.

But something like those can be very beneficial to one's health, particularly for those who aren't perhaps eating as balanced a diet as we should.  Not to mention the fact that they can give your system a boost AND assist to build up your immune system so you will be better able to fight off the inevitable col/flu season that is coming up in the next month or two.

Cheers

Neil

[scorch]

Hi ThousandMiles

I also get very fatigued, but I've found a couple of things that help me get up and go so I thought I'd share them with you.

You've already heard some great tips and I can tell you, they are effective.  TriForce has spoken about having a job, this is a great way to make sure you get yourself up and dressed and out of the house.  I work 20 hours a week, which is all I can manage - but it gives me a routine and a reason to get out of bed.  The routine helps, because your body learns that this is what needs to happen.  And if work isn't an option for you what about volunteering somewhere?  There are always plenty of organisations looking for volunteers - whether it is manning the counter for a couple of hours at your local op shop, or joining a program to help out at a primary school.

The other thing is exercise.  I've just recently started exercising several days a week.  It's really hard to drag myself to do it, but thanks to some support of family and friends here on BB, well I'm getting there.  I've found that the exercise invigorates you while you're doing it, and afterwards, even though I get tired out... it's more of a physical tiredness rather than the heavy blanketing fatigue that I'm used to.  I've found it easier to get up each morning now that I am exercising.  So maybe you could go for a walk or jog each day to help beat the fatigue.

Third and final tip - Vegetables.  Eat them.  They really do help.  Again, I'm just getting into eating healthy and I need to undo some bad habits, but gosh the veggies make a difference!