Tired All The Time Without Coffee

[A Theist]

Honestly, I'm kind of like this: about two years ago, I developed a sort of lethargy and felt constantly sleepy. And bear in mind, I was 25 at the time. And surprisingly, even caffeine did little to alleviate it. The doctors aren't sure what it is, but eventually, one prescribed Nuvigil and it works reasonably well. Sometimes, I still get a bit over-tired (especially in the mornings), but at least I'm not overcome with drowsiness all day long now.

My Son in Law manages two sleep disorder labs and your description fits perfectly what he sees every day. Have you been checked for any kind of sleep disorders? Possibly sleep apnea?

[Rev. Rye]

I had to Google that.

If you're talking about Nuvigil, be warned it can be very expensive, and insurance may not cover it. I get it through a loophole in my Dad's plan (he has sleep apnea, which can be treated with Nuvigil, while I, lacking an official diagnosis besides "idiopathic hypersomnia" am not covered, fortunately, he never uses the Nuvigil, and my doctor approves of using this loophole to my advantage because if it means the difference between me being able to function in daily life, it's likely worth it). The doctor says it'll be getting cheaper any day now ($2 a pill, he says). Hopefully, it'll be cheap some day. Fortunately, I only use half a 150 mil tablet per day.

[Edwardo Piet]

I'm not very susceptible to caffeine anymore... I'm desensitized. Hence why I drink a lot more and I have more and more spoons of coffee in my cups as I'm requiring more and more coffee to feel awake.

Thanks for the tips about blood sugar. I do often feel like it's something to do with sugar levels. I've often worried I have diabetes as I keep craving sugary foods when I'm trying to look after my teeth.

Again: I'm not a doctor

I'm glad you've seen a doctor about this since it does sound like you're concerned.

I'm not saying it's your blood sugar for sure but it could be a potential culprit and it's an easy one to do an experiment with.

Also, I'm not diabetic and I know next to nothing about the condition but I've never personally heard of diabetics craving sweets.  In fact, I just googled it and the top post says "Craving sugar is not one of the symptoms of diabetes or hyperglycemia"

My personal guess about the cravings is that you've trained your body to crave stuff that spikes your blood sugar levels and gives you that "I've been rewarded" response from your brain which creates that self-reinforcing cycle.  Try eating more fresh fruits or sweet veggies like carrots when you get a craving for something sweet, or at least switch to eating something that has some nutritional value like honey (peanut butter and honey sandwiches are the bomb, I'm just sayin').  But honey will probably give you toothaches.  Best try fruits/veggies first.  Or, like I said before, try yogurt or cheeses because of their GI ranks - they stick around with you longer and help you not get cravings as quickly.

My nutritionist just told me about Coconut Sugar which falls at a 35 or so on the Glycemic Index whereas table sugar is at like 60 or something, so if you use sugar to sweeten drinks like coffee or tea or sprinkle it over cereals or whatever, try switching.  Caution, tho, it's one of those health-food type things so you'll probably be out of luck trying to find a non-"organic" version of it   which means it'll be expensive.

Generally, my personal advice to you would be to start trying to make a turn to a generally more healthy diet since it does seem like you have concerns about this.  It won't happen overnight and it's not like you have to say goodbye to all your beloved treats forever (I love me my chocolate chip cookies and ice cream) but the key is moderation.  In the long run you'll probably thank yourself.

Or...

You'll eat a healthy diet and exercise with a reasonable frequency and still end up with cancer like me.

Life is a crapshoot.  Do what you want.

---

Talk about timely.

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/he...-1.3449446



I'll have to increase my intake.

All of my doctors have been giving me information packets saying how more than two cups of coffee a day can increase your risks of certain cancers.

Also, eating lots of sugar can increase cancer risks.

Basically, if it's awesome it probably gives you cancer.

Thanks again for your lovely post, CM. Unfortunately I do have to say goodbye to all my favorite treats forever, if I really want to keep my teeth and gums that's how bad it's got.

Definitely can't have honey. And I will never be able to eat any citrus or acidity fruits again. And those ones are my favorites (I can sense damage on my teeth and they start to kill and my gums start to bleed sometimes, straight after I eat ANYTHING like that, that's how bad it's gotten (and I've already had one wisdom tooth removed, and another one that is killing like a bitch every day now, I am sure needs removing too). All the ice cream and orange juice and energy drinks were not worth it

You take care

[Rev. Rye]

Honestly, I'm kind of like this: about two years ago, I developed a sort of lethargy and felt constantly sleepy. And bear in mind, I was 25 at the time. And surprisingly, even caffeine did little to alleviate it. The doctors aren't sure what it is, but eventually, one prescribed Nuvigil and it works reasonably well. Sometimes, I still get a bit over-tired (especially in the mornings), but at least I'm not overcome with drowsiness all day long now.

My Son in Law manages two sleep disorder labs and your description fits perfectly what he sees every day. Have you been checked for any kind of sleep disorders? Possibly sleep apnea?

The official diagnosis I've been given is "idiopathic hypersomnia." They have no idea what the cause is, and both my therapist and my psychiatrist have ruled out full-fledged narcolepsy (they have seen full-fledged narcolepsy; in particular, my therapist had a student with narcolepsy who fell asleep during one of her classes), but they do think it might be a lesser form, since, unaided, I can stave off falling asleep with difficulty, even if I end up doing what I can to find somewhere I can fall asleep without bothering anyone. Looking up, Sleep apnea, the symptoms don't seem to fit mine that well. At any rate, the Nuvigil seems to work pretty well at containing it.

[Edwardo Piet]

If you're talking about Nuvigil, be warned it can be very expensive, and insurance may not cover it.

I'm not worried about that. All my prescriptions are free.

[Athene]

I've never even heard of it. I've had lots of blood tests but I don't think I've ever had that one.

Hmm. I may misremember I may have had a blood test for it around the time of the first before my last urine test. I had some sort of blood test around that time. Maybe it was for that. I don't remember what it was for.

If you get more sleep, get a little exercise, and/or start eating better, and STILL find yourself exhausted most of the time, I'd suggest you quit guessing, as there are numerous conditions/ailments that present with fatigue as a symptom. Go to the doctor and get some blood work done. I don't know how long it's been since you've last had that done, or what you had done...but shit changes, man.  Hell, my last labs were gloat-worthy. Seriously; they were that awesome.

But, I'd been increasing my daily Red Bull from 1 to up to 3 cans a day (shhhh...tell no one) due to persistent fatigue over the past few months. I went to the doc's, had my labs done, and got my answers: Extremely low Vitamin D levels, and goddamned iron deficiency anemia.

Point is, there may be clear answers to be had. Why not find out? 
Then a more focused approach could be used in addressing your problem.

[Edwardo Piet]

Well, speaking of energy drinks, the damage done to my teeth from energy drinks is FAR worse than any of these fatigue symptoms. And even I have never drank even one can daily. It was more like one every 2 days. If you keep up 3 drinks of Red Bull every day, the biggest worry should be that all the erosion damage done to your teeth is permanent, and the effect is done from the acid in it so sugar free versions won't do any help. Take care Thena!

Thanks for the advice by the way, I do go to the Doctors every now and then. I just get tired when I just get told "you're fine" over and over but I don't feel fine, lol.

[Athene]

Dude...use a STRAW!

Good luck, man. Hope you feel better soon.

[Edwardo Piet]

I heard using a straw helps.... but does it really help significantly?

[Athene]

So, I've heard. Depends on how good one's gag reflex is, I suppose.

I'm (somewhat) serious.