Perfume77
03-10-2006, 08:18 PM
Hi Ladies:
I think I am in (or going into) perimenopause, but...I feel so tired all the time. No energy at all, which is rather depressing when I have to much work to do, and so many things I want to do.
Are there any recipes/food, or vitamins, or anything that has helped anyone out with tiredness?
I've also had two extremely long periods (one 4 weeks, and this one 5 weeks) so that may be one reason I feel blah. I also dont eat meat, so I probably need some iron. (I never took iron before since I read it was not good to take) but who knows if it is...at this point, if it would help me, I'd take lots of it. lol
I think I am in (or going into) perimenopause, but...I feel so tired all the time. No energy at all, which is rather depressing when I have to much work to do, and so many things I want to do.
Are there any recipes/food, or vitamins, or anything that has helped anyone out with tiredness?
I've also had two extremely long periods (one 4 weeks, and this one 5 weeks) so that may be one reason I feel blah. I also dont eat meat, so I probably need some iron. (I never took iron before since I read it was not good to take) but who knows if it is...at this point, if it would help me, I'd take lots of it. lol
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Hopefully
03-11-2006, 12:27 AM
Hello Perfume. If you haven't already seen your doctor to have blood work done, this might be a good starting point. Being lethargic is a perimenopausal symptom, but it's also a symptom of other ailments.
I'm taking a variety of vitamins, supplements, prescription medication, and compounded hormones to help me not feel as tired...but I still have those moments when I'm about to fall flat on my face :yawn: because I'm just so exhausted. Believe it or not I've found that exercising for at least 30 minutes a day on my recumbent bike does help me the next day to be more energized :bouncing:. :)
I'm taking a variety of vitamins, supplements, prescription medication, and compounded hormones to help me not feel as tired...but I still have those moments when I'm about to fall flat on my face :yawn: because I'm just so exhausted. Believe it or not I've found that exercising for at least 30 minutes a day on my recumbent bike does help me the next day to be more energized :bouncing:. :)
Fabat40
03-11-2006, 12:42 AM
Ditto on what Hopefully said. But I'd like to add exercise. After I exercise, and my heart beat has calmed down a bit, my energy spikes up. LOL My sleep becomes deep too after exercising.
I also eat lots of spinach, almost on a daily basis and lots of them.
Good luck perfume. :D
I also eat lots of spinach, almost on a daily basis and lots of them.
Good luck perfume. :D
cookiepls
03-11-2006, 04:04 AM
You don't eat meat (iron) and you have had a couple of long periods (depleting iron stores). You definitely need to make an appointment with your doctor. Most people don't realize this, but iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in this country. Women and children are the ones at greatest risk.
I'm 48 and starting perimenopause too. Turns out my fatigue (which was horrible) was from low iron. Within one day of starting on theraputic doses of iron, I was back to my usual energetic self.
I'm 48 and starting perimenopause too. Turns out my fatigue (which was horrible) was from low iron. Within one day of starting on theraputic doses of iron, I was back to my usual energetic self.
Chelle2
03-11-2006, 05:56 AM
I do not eat meat either. I remember that , when I was peri-menopausing, still getting a period, I would have the fatige -not constantly, but before and during the period. Once I fully menopaused, I have never felt that fatige like I used to.
I would help it by eating really good veg combinations of whole grains, seeds, beans, etc.But without a period, that tiredness never happened.Even if I am really stressed out or overworked and feel sleepy, it's not the same feeling now.
I would help it by eating really good veg combinations of whole grains, seeds, beans, etc.But without a period, that tiredness never happened.Even if I am really stressed out or overworked and feel sleepy, it's not the same feeling now.
ThinBones
03-11-2006, 10:21 AM
I have been suffering also from the low energy. My iron levels have always been normal-high but I am not too sure now. I know for a few weeks, I craved, and I mean craved spinach. I even ate a salad for breakfast. Will have bloodwork done next week to be sure, but the craving is gone for now so my levels are probably good again. I, am also, looking for some energy boost from something, anything. Vitamins probably do help and a good diet and exercise. I had been really good about going to yoga class but the past few weeks I have not made it as I am that tired. Good luck and let me know if you find some energy and where you found it so I can get some!! lol
Perfume77
03-11-2006, 06:28 PM
Hi Ladies (again)
Thanks for the advice/and for responding.
I am thinking about getting some of that "green food." (like the powdered spirulina and such) and I'll eat some spinach, too.
I go to the doc on Tuesday (oh do I dread it, too)
I gained a lot of weight over the past 5 years, so I hate going to doctors (I guess mainly being embarrassed about how I let myself go) :(
Majorly stressful past 5-6 years, trouble with my teenage daughter, etc. I also think it could be weight affecting my periods, and I may have estrogen dominance due to that itself. I really need to get "un-blue" and cheerful again, lose this darn weight, and get on with life. I feel "stuck" almost in this dreary depression, and I feel like I am dead, or rather just existing. I just want to sleep, and feel so blah (yet I dont want to be this way) If that makes sense. Maybe if I could start a diet, and actually stick to it for a week or so, that would be a good start in making me feel like being alive again. The worst thing is just feeling blah, and wanting to sleep...no energy. Its hard to pick yourself up and feel chipper again, when all you wanna do is nothing. lol Isnt that lame!! Oh well, off to the doc I go on Tuesday...cant wait till its over. I have put this off for years, because I dont have insurance (I work from home) so thats been my big excuse...no insurance. Kinda scary going to the doc, and having to pay for every little thing they may need or want to do. How much do ultra sounds cost and all that? Do we just tell them "no thanks" if its too much, and reschedule later?
Does anyone know of any health-care that is good to get? Or should I lose some weight first, that way the prices wouldnt be sky high? lol
Perfume 77 in Florida :)
Thanks for the advice/and for responding.
I am thinking about getting some of that "green food." (like the powdered spirulina and such) and I'll eat some spinach, too.
I go to the doc on Tuesday (oh do I dread it, too)
I gained a lot of weight over the past 5 years, so I hate going to doctors (I guess mainly being embarrassed about how I let myself go) :(
Majorly stressful past 5-6 years, trouble with my teenage daughter, etc. I also think it could be weight affecting my periods, and I may have estrogen dominance due to that itself. I really need to get "un-blue" and cheerful again, lose this darn weight, and get on with life. I feel "stuck" almost in this dreary depression, and I feel like I am dead, or rather just existing. I just want to sleep, and feel so blah (yet I dont want to be this way) If that makes sense. Maybe if I could start a diet, and actually stick to it for a week or so, that would be a good start in making me feel like being alive again. The worst thing is just feeling blah, and wanting to sleep...no energy. Its hard to pick yourself up and feel chipper again, when all you wanna do is nothing. lol Isnt that lame!! Oh well, off to the doc I go on Tuesday...cant wait till its over. I have put this off for years, because I dont have insurance (I work from home) so thats been my big excuse...no insurance. Kinda scary going to the doc, and having to pay for every little thing they may need or want to do. How much do ultra sounds cost and all that? Do we just tell them "no thanks" if its too much, and reschedule later?
Does anyone know of any health-care that is good to get? Or should I lose some weight first, that way the prices wouldnt be sky high? lol
Perfume 77 in Florida :)
cookiepls
03-11-2006, 09:03 PM
Yeah, you know depression can cause fatigue too. I understand where you're coming from with the insurance issue. I work from home too and I haven't been to the doctor in years either. Maybe when you go in for your appointment you can ask them if they know of a sliding scale clinic in your area that can perform at least some of the tests or followups you may need. I don't know. I'm kinda in the same boat. I've been my own pseudo doctor for a long time. LOL
Lexi4529
03-11-2006, 09:16 PM
I haven't read the other responses, so someone might've already suggested this, but I'd say the most likely answer is iron-deficiency anemia (which could've been caused by your two longer-than-usual periods and which would account for your low energy).
If you have severe anemia, you may notice that your skin looks pale and almost translucent, that you have visible circles under your eyes. One sure indicator is if you notice your gums and tongue are abnormally pale.. light pink instead of the usual dark pink.
I would go to the doctor and get tested to see what's going on, but I'm willing to bet it's probably anemia, which is pretty common and can be cleared up with iron supplements and dietary changes.
Good luck! Hope you feel better soon!
If you have severe anemia, you may notice that your skin looks pale and almost translucent, that you have visible circles under your eyes. One sure indicator is if you notice your gums and tongue are abnormally pale.. light pink instead of the usual dark pink.
I would go to the doctor and get tested to see what's going on, but I'm willing to bet it's probably anemia, which is pretty common and can be cleared up with iron supplements and dietary changes.
Good luck! Hope you feel better soon!
katidid95
03-13-2006, 02:48 PM
Ditto on getting some basic bloodwork done. I think this may help answer some things for you and where you are at healthwise. I'm sorry you don't have health coverage. I know Doctor's visits and tests can be expensive. But make sure that you get all you can out of your visit. If you have a lot of questions/issues, write them down so that you don't forget something. I know I get sidetracked in a conversation with a doctor and may forget to mention something that we haven't covered yet and she/he is out the door!
On the weight issue, forget the word "diet". You can do research on the internet that will give you ideas on how you might improve the way you feel by reducing or eliminating certain things in your diet like sugar, highly processed foods (like anything containing white flour) and caffeine. I bet you'd be surprised by how much you can lose just by making modifications. Add to that any exercising (if you aren't already) - even walking. You said you've gained weight over the past five years, so give yourself some time to lose it too.
On the weight issue, forget the word "diet". You can do research on the internet that will give you ideas on how you might improve the way you feel by reducing or eliminating certain things in your diet like sugar, highly processed foods (like anything containing white flour) and caffeine. I bet you'd be surprised by how much you can lose just by making modifications. Add to that any exercising (if you aren't already) - even walking. You said you've gained weight over the past five years, so give yourself some time to lose it too.