I've been ehaused all the time, going for blood test, what should I do while waiting?

Question

I'm exhausted all the time, weak, tierd from basically doing nothing.
I'm going for a blood test to see if I'm anemic or diabetic or have cronic fatigue. I'm going for the test on friday and probably see results in a week or so... what should I do while I'm waiting for them? I try to go to class but end up missing a few classes each week because I'm still exhausted even after sleeping for 9 hours or more. I'm missing class again today because I feel too exhausted to go. What can I do?

Answer 1

Sounds like CFS or M.E. (as that was how my M.E. started).

The best thing to do (as it can take a while to diagnose CFS or M.E.) is to get as much sleep as you need and focus on getting to your classes. Cut back on any other stuff you do that doesn't need to be done. Until you get a diagnosis there is not a lot you can do.

Also, the average person needs 8 hours sleep; some need more and others less. I can sleep 36 hours straight and 23 hours each day for weeks. Sleep as much as you feel you need to get by with your classes until you know if you can be helped.

Answer 2

This sounds like something that I went through a few years ago. I'll tell you what ended up being wrong with me and what helped. Of course your diagnosis may end up being different.

My symptoms were: extreme fatigue, sleeping too much, exhaustion, lack of energy, muscle pain, cloudy thinking and dizziness.

I went to the doctor several times complaining that I just didn't feel right. I told him it felt like something to do with my blood sugar. They tested my blood sugar every time I went in and said "You're not diabetic," and sent me home. Finally the doctor ordered a full blood panel and I went back about a week later.

"Your blood sugar level is great," he said. I was getting tired of hearing this. "What's not normal..." he paused. Couldn't he see I was dying to know??? "Is that your insulin level is sky high." I had no idea what this could mean. I knew that diabetics sometimes take insulin because they don't have enough of it, right? Well, my problem turned out to be PRE-diabetes. My sugar levels were still within normal limits but my pancreas was dumping enormous levels of insulin into my blood, overwhelming my body. The excess insulin contributed to the muscle pain (fibromyalgia), dizziness and most certainly to the cloudy thinking!

I ended up going on a medicine called Metformin (generic for glucophage) that helps the cells process the insulin. This medication is used for people with pre-diabetes and also diabetics. The metformin helped A LOT.

What helped more was going on a low-carb diet. Within 12 hours of starting the diet, my thinking was sharp and clear again and I had energy to spare. I needed precisely 7 hours of sleep per night and did not require a nap. It is an expensive way of eating but totally worth the result!

The last part of my problem was that I needed medication for high blood pressure. This helped with the odd waves of dizziness that were accompanied by the feeling that my heart was going to pound out through my neck.

In summary, my suggestion to you would be to hang out until your blood test - don't change a thing. Just get through it! You want your blood test to reveal what is going on now with your current eating habits and lifestyle. The minute you walk out of the lab, I suggest trying a low-carb diet or ADA (American Diabetic Association) diet. If you're diabetic or insulin resistant, these changes should bring a positive change in how you feel. The biggest dietary changes are cutting out sugary and starchy foods and boosting intake of vegetables, protein, dairy, and fruits (in moderation). There are a lot of good low carb diets - do a Google search. What worked best for me was a hybrid diet! The dietician gave me an ADA diet tailored just for me. I modified it to have a little less bread and more veggies. Good luck.

Answer 3

I have had fatigue problems a lot. I haven't found a cure yet, but here is something that helped me. Get a bottle of wheat germ oil or octacosanol caplets. A tablespoon of wheat germ oil at night (no other oil or mix of oils works) will increase your stamina markedly the next day, but it tastes bad. That is why I recommend octacosanol, which is the active ingredient in wheat germ oil, plus it doesn't have the calories. Then some coffee or Morning Thunder Tea (from Celestial Seasonings) in the morning and as needed.

Answer 4

I read that if your are sleeping for more than 8 hours it tends to get you tired and exhausted during the day. Your body only needs 8 hours of sleep. Try setting a specific time for sleep your body needs consistancy. An if your are anemic Iron pills or vitamins will really help. My mother is anemic and she gets that way sometimes. Exercise also helps to even if its walking for 30 mins a day. It helps your metabolism and boosts energy levels.

Answer 5

sleep