# I am SO Tired all the time. Been there Done that? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 4, 2012, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090 "2012-06-04T22:44:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cynyc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@cynyc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynyc)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/21 "2012-06-06T22:02:05Z")
> [@LurkerInNJ](#): > > How did they do that? Um. I was asked if I ever woke up with a feeling like I was short of breath? ---
**Author:** ![cynyc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@cynyc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynyc)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/22 "2012-06-06T22:06:08Z")
Yes allergies can do that. But I was just dx’d with non-allergy sinusitis or something. SUpposed to shoot a solution up my nostril until it drips out the other. I just can’t bring myself to do it. How come you don’t get help with the allergies? > [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > I can sympathize. Like the OP, I am tired almost all the time. It’s a struggle to stay awake during the day. If a bed were nearby, I could fall asleep at just about any time of the day. > > I have tried everything to combat it. I eat healthily, run and lift weights during the week, and take vitamins & iron. The only thing that (sort of) seems to help is more sleep at night. > > As for the root cause to my fatigue, the only thing I can guess is **allergies**. My sinuses are clogged 24/7, I have lost my sense of smell, and I always feel pressure behind my eyes. I think it’s also responsible for my tiredness. ---
**Author:** ![cynyc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@cynyc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynyc)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2012, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/23 "2012-06-06T22:55:14Z")
> [@Sister\_Vigilante](#): > > It does. I know because they tested mine and it was nonexistent. > > Also, if you are not hyperactive and you take Ritalin it will have the opposite effect - making you tired. > > Amitriptyline doesn’t help me sleep. Trazodone made me more awake and more anxious and gave me hallucinations. > > I’m tired all the time too. I have even been nodding off at work, which is something I have never done before. I was on dexedrine or some variant thereof and it WORKED. Of course it got too cheap so they stopped making it. That worked for me when I needed a boost. From what I hear people are going nuts for it and no pharmacies can get it. There is now an extended release spansule. Doesn’t work. Kids Rit. Doesn’t work. Two nights ago I took the amitryptaline and it worked. I didn’t take it last night so I did not sleep, again, AND got up in excruciating worse than ever pain. But I’m talking maybe 10 mg.?–not an antidepressant dose. Gotta run. Little Foot\* is back. \*Young Male ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/24 "2012-06-07T01:01:29Z")
> [@cynyc](#): > > Um. I was asked if I ever woke up with a feeling like I was short of breath? That’s not how it is diagnosed. It’s diagnosed with a sleep study. Is this a real doctor you are seeing? ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/25 "2012-06-07T12:14:35Z")
[QUOTE=cynyc] I was on dexedrine or some variant thereof and it WORKED. Of course it got too cheap so they stopped making it. That worked for me when I needed a boost. From what I hear people are going nuts for it and no pharmacies can get it. There is now an extended release spansule. Doesn’t work. Kids Rit. Doesn’t work. [/QUOTE] Were you under a doctor’s care while taking dexedrine? What did the doctor recommend when dexedrine became impossible to obtain? I would think that your doctor or “shrink” is the best person to be choosing an alternative for you to try. The fact that you’re taking “kid’s Rit” to try and replace the dexedrine you can no longer get indicates to me you may have a much bigger problem than plain old fatigue. ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/26 "2012-06-07T14:33:15Z")
Taking Cipro-type antibiotics can leave you with depleted magnesium levels. If you’re low on magnesium, you can have more aches and pains, and trouble sleeping. I went through this, including the joys of tendonitis, and had to start taking magnesium supplements. It’s something to consider. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/27 "2012-06-07T19:23:41Z")
Sounds like you’re addressing at least some of the obvious things. If it persists beyond a few weeks, definitely make sure your iron and thyroid levels are OK, a multivitamin couldn’t hurt, work on sleep quantity (you mentioned insomnia). Veteran of trying to address severe fatigue issues here, myself, though in my case it’s of much longer standing. RLS treated, no help, apnea diagnosed and CPAP started, no help, eventually diagnosed with Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and given Provigil… which, if all the stars align, get me from stumbling-into-walls to safe-to-drive. The charm has worn off (and this week for some reason, I’m unusually tired even for me). ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/28 "2012-06-07T19:43:50Z")
> [@Sister\_Vigilante](#): > > Also, if you are not hyperactive and you take Ritalin it will have the opposite effect - making you tired. I’ve always heard the opposite, that it has a _stimulant_ effect on the non-hyperactive, but (effectively) a calming effect on the hyperactive. Pretty sure all the kids I knew who crushed and snorted “Ritties” weren’t doing it to get sleepy. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/29 "2012-06-07T20:04:30Z")
> [@cynyc](#): > > Yes allergies can do that. But I was just dx’d with non-allergy sinusitis or something. SUpposed to shoot a solution up my nostril until it drips out the other. I just can’t bring myself to do it… It’s actually worth a try. Do some searching on the board for “neti pot”. I use one _very_ occasionally, I think it’s interrupted symptoms a few times that were behaving like I was about to get a cold / have an allergy flare, though I don’t use it daily. Typo Knig (my husband) DOES use his daily, and between that and years of allergy shots (he still goes about once every 3 weeks), he’s off the meds. It _does_ take some getting used to, I freely admit! ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/30 "2012-06-07T20:06:45Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I’ve always heard the opposite, that it has a _stimulant_ effect on the non-hyperactive, but (effectively) a calming effect on the hyperactive. Pretty sure all the kids I knew who crushed and snorted “Ritties” weren’t doing it to get sleepy. Yep. The reason this stuff works on ADHD kids is that part of the brain allowing for focus is underactive, so it wakes that up as well. I’m not, as far as I know, ADHD - but I’ve got a scrip for Ritalin to take in the afternoons when I typically crash despite the Provigil. Haven’t tried it yet - the instructions were to try the first dose at home, not when I was about to drive, so we know what it does to me. I’m sorely tempted today though (stunningly tired this week). ---
**Author:** ![Sister\_Vigilante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Sister\_Vigilante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sister_Vigilante)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/31 "2012-06-07T20:27:09Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I’ve always heard the opposite, that it has a _stimulant_ effect on the non-hyperactive, but (effectively) a calming effect on the hyperactive. Pretty sure all the kids I knew who crushed and snorted “Ritties” weren’t doing it to get sleepy. You’re right, I had it backwards. ---
**Author:** ![cynyc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@cynyc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynyc)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/32 "2012-06-08T06:05:27Z")
That was an exaggeration. I have my own Rit but double the strength. My doctor, who is a psycho-pharmacologist who trains shrinks-to-be at the place where they create the DSM, and who is also a psychoanalyst of some renown, wrote for all the alternatives and can only agree this sucks. > [@Antigen](#): > > Were you under a doctor’s care while taking dexedrine? What did the doctor recommend when dexedrine became impossible to obtain? I would think that your doctor or “shrink” is the best person to be choosing an alternative for you to try. The fact that you’re taking “kid’s Rit” to try and replace the dexedrine you can no longer get indicates to me you may have a much bigger problem than plain old fatigue. ---
**Author:** ![cynyc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@cynyc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynyc)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/33 "2012-06-08T06:07:20Z")
I know, dear. I know. I’m working up to it. Maybe. Sorta. > [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > It’s actually worth a try. Do some searching on the board for “neti pot”. I use one _very_ occasionally, I think it’s interrupted symptoms a few times that were behaving like I was about to get a cold / have an allergy flare, though I don’t use it daily. Typo Knig (my husband) DOES use his daily, and between that and years of allergy shots (he still goes about once every 3 weeks), he’s off the meds. > > It _does_ take some getting used to, I freely admit! ---
**Author:** ![cynyc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@cynyc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynyc)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/34 "2012-06-08T06:17:38Z")
Health for (ahem) Heroes at Mt Sinai hospital. I think they’re Real Doctors, but admittedly they have their own agenda. I am less tired than I was when I initially posted. But I’ve read 3 300-400 pg books over the past few nights. I’m going to take my mini-dose of amitryptaline right now! > [@LurkerInNJ](#): > > That’s not how it is diagnosed. It’s diagnosed with a sleep study. > > Is this a real doctor you are seeing? ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/35 "2012-06-08T06:57:43Z")
In answer to your OP’s question. Yes, I’m exhausted all of the time. For me I think it’s menopause related. Massive quantities of vitamins seem to help as do the supplements in energy drinks like Rockstar. L-Tyrosine supplements (from what I’ve read and heard) can help support thyroid function. Even so, there are lots of times that I feel practically comatose. I hope it’s just a symptom of menopause and that it’ll end when I’m post menopausal. ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/36 "2012-06-08T14:19:25Z")
> [@cynyc](#): > > Health for (ahem) Heroes at Mt Sinai hospital. I think they’re Real Doctors, but admittedly they have their own agenda. But they don’t know that in order to diagnose sleep apnea a sleep study must first be done? ---
**Author:** ![cynyc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@cynyc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynyc)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2012, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/37 "2012-06-09T02:08:40Z")
> [@LurkerInNJ](#): > > But they don’t know that in order to diagnose sleep apnea a sleep study must first be done? Wanna call them and ask them? 🙂 I’ll give your their number in PM. However, being wide awake all night is not lousy sleep. Not tossing and turning. But that was just this week. I also and maybe even primarily thing it’s my mattress. The chronic pain part anyway. ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2012, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/38 "2012-06-09T03:17:28Z")
> [@cynyc](#): > > Wanna call them and ask them? 🙂 I’ll give your their number in PM. > > However, being wide awake all night is not lousy sleep. Not tossing and turning. But that was just this week. > > I also and maybe even primarily thing it’s my mattress. The chronic pain part anyway. A sleep study can also tell why you aren’t sleeping at night. If you feel you have been properly diagnosed, that’s great. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/39 "2012-06-11T19:12:34Z")
> [@LurkerInNJ](#): > > A sleep study can also tell why you aren’t sleeping at night… Hmmm - not so sure about that. Unless there’s something obvious that keeps you from falling asleep (like sudden myoclonic jerks every time you start getting drowsy), a sleep study wouldn’t diagnose causes of insomnia. You have to, yanno, _sleep_ :). It will, however, hopefully identify causes of poor _quality_ sleep (apnea, PLMD, weird sleep phase architecture etc.), and therefore why you’re not feeling rested. Restless Legs Syndrome (which often goes hand-in-hand from PLMD but is not identical to it) isn’t even usually a reason for a sleep study. A doctor might order one to see if there’s anything else going on along with the RLS, of course. More helpful in diagnosing causes of insomnia, in my experience, would be a detailed log of just about everything (when you eat, medications, naps, time in bed, time asleep, etc.). I am interested in Cynic’s statement that "Um. I was asked if I ever woke up with a feeling like I was short of breath? ", as far as ruling out apnea: while someone with apnea might well be aware of such a feeling, I don’t think that’s true of most people with apnea. Typically a sufferer is not aware of the apnea-related arousals (their bed partner, on the other hand…). But as you noted, you’ve got enough problems with sleep _quantity_ that a real sleep study would be a waste of time and money at this point; until you can get your sleep schedule improved, no point in doing a polysomnogram. ---
**Author:** ![Necros](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/necros/32/11086_2.png) [@Necros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necros)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090/40 "2012-06-11T20:37:35Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > [W]hile someone with apnea might well be aware of such a feeling, I don’t think that’s true of most people with apnea. Typically a sufferer is not aware of the apnea-related arousals (their bed partner, on the other hand…). Second this. I do some pretty weird things (moving around, sitting up), when experiencing sleep apnea, and remember none of it. I’m hoping a recent surgery will take care of it. I suppose depression is out of the question? Depression always makes me feel tired, and depression coupled with alcohol makes it much worse. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-so-tired-all-the-time-been-there-done-that/624090.md?page=1)