Does Anyone Else Have "Cyclical" Fatigue, or Should I Go to a Doctor?
Updated on
March 05, 2011
A.J.
asks from
Norristown, PA
6
answers
OK, All my adult life, I will get really "tired" after a "phase", like when I was single and working, I would work like crazy and get a huge work order done, and then crash for a few days immobilized. Or if my husband would finally leave for a tour after a long stay at home, I'd be wiped out for a few days, just to get over the psychological "adjustment" from preparing for him to leave, until he would. And many other things.
I know it's psychological, because it always coincides with when I CAN deflate, and I always perform when I have to, but the "symptoms" are so real, like, EXHAUSTED and I always wonder if I have some fatal disease or something while it's happening until I bounce back-which I always do. 2 weeks ago I had a huge all consuming writing project due and spent weeks preparing it to mail. The minute I dumped it in the mailbox on a Friday-I was down for the count for the whole weekend. (OK I lied-more like a WEEK- which is a longer crash than usual, which concerned me to write this) where I needed 10 hours of sleep a night and to be "mellow" and do the bare minimum of things, too tired to exercise, the whole thing, just because I finished a major project- a stressful one, sure, but who doesn't have stressful stuff to do? Finally, I recovered and had all my energy again. Phew.
Now that I'm sort of over the "Constant fatigue" of babies, and I'm back to myself, I'm seeing the pattern re-emerge. I do eat healthfully, lot's of raw veggies and fruit, lots of water, I exercise (when I'm not so TIRED), sleep enough, I drink almost no alcohol.
Is anyone else like this?! Any tips on energy boosts besides yummy coffee (I only drink one cup a day, and not always-it's not a caffeine crash). I dont want to get all kinds of vitamins-I already take the recommended amount.
I feel bad alone with 3 kids (husband usually gone) when I barely have energy to get them out to do fun stuff sometimes for days on end. I guess it's not that often, but still. Before I had kids I would just hole up and order take out for a few days when this happened...but now....I do use whatever small spark of life I have for the kids, but needless to say the house and all other tasks go to pot.
Please tell me I'm not alone....
Wow, great answers!!!! So many of you nailed stuff-and I was actually wondering if a person could be"physically bipolar" :). I do have a history of some depression, and I was pretty anemic during pregnancy (and at times in my past), and I'm creatively wired-I get the most exhausted after finishing paintings for shows- and group social events drain me-you're all piecing the puzzle together! I'm going to get a handle on this, check the blood, stop forgetting my iron, check the allergies, and embrace the genes. Thanks so much, mommas!
More Answers
H.L.
answers from
New York
on
You don't mention if when you're doing these projects if you cut back a ton on sleep - ie: 3-4 hours a night. Sleep is definitely cumulative. So if you are cutting back like that, I could see needing 2-3 days to catch-up. And as you get older, harder to rebound. As well, I think adreneline keeps you going and then a crash is normal. ie: people work like crazy and then leave on vacation and get sick. If your cycles are only related to big tasks like this, it sounds like a reaction. If you also have big bouts of tiredness even if you haven't done anything all that big but it comes and goes, you could see if you're dairy or wheat intolerant. I found out I am and it makes a huge difference when I cut out those foods.
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J.V.
answers from
Kalamazoo
on
I have manic/bipolar depression. I will go on these Manics do do do and then I will crash. Although not the exact same circumstances it could be similar. I remember from college your immunity system has a "flight or fight" cycle. Like you wouldn't get the flu until the minute you finished your final. I also would go into down time modes after a semester was completed. So i kinda think it is natural. But if you have some other condition's going on it might be making harder to bounce back. Talk to your doctor she what you can do. good luck!
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C.P.
answers from
Provo
on
Go to a doctor and get blood work done.
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M.S.
answers from
Philadelphia
on
I completely understand how you feel.... I do the same thing almost on a weekly basis. Many times I 'crash' on the weekend just from getting through the week... I honestly think it's just natural... batteries need to recharge..........nature is cyclical.......... (everything dies in winter to come back in Spring) I don't think anything can go on constantly forever...
Sometimes I make myself 'enjoy' the exhaustion and just go with it........purposely do nothing (which isn't in my nature)... Especially as Moms, we think we're just expected to go go go.... Give yourself permission to relax every once in a while....
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M.C.
answers from
Washington DC
on
Could be a slight depression related to lack of sleep/stress. This happens to me sometimes. I am also a chronic anemic and long work stretches (14+ hours a day) for several days due me in.
I would go get a blood test done for anemia. Simple increase in iron and more sleep less stress usually fixes it.
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V.M.
answers from
Erie
on
mine isn't as exteme as yours, but if i am around too many peope or the wrong kind of people who drain me of all energy, i need to hiberante for a while too. You sound like a pretty creative person, I think it was the author of simple abundance that said something about creative people needing valleys or time periods of inactivity right before (or after) a big creative leap/explosion/etc. not sure i have the quote right but hope you get what i mean, your highs are probably higher and lows lower because of how you are wired. But to answer your question, no you aren't alone, but it doesn't mean you can't get some more control over this.
