Question:
Anyone know why at almost 8 months out I am SO tired?

I'm taking my medication correctly, taking my B12 3x a week as suggested, my lab work is fine, but I find I am tired ALL the time. I sleep 9-10 hours a night, and find I need to take a nap in the afternoon because I'm yawning so much. I'm almost 8 months out, down 132 pounds and I'm 25 years old. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Heidi 291/159/140 http://www.geocities.com/divahammer/index.html    — Heidi H. (posted on September 28, 2003)

September 28, 2003
You say your lab work is fine, but you did not say what lab work you had done. Did you have a CBC and an ironing binding done? Try upping your protein.
   — Sue A.

September 28, 2003
You didn't say exactly what your supplement or food regimen is. Do you take iron? Protein supplement? How any hidden sugars do you get? Milk? Yogurt? Applesauce or other fruits or juices? Sugar can sap your energy as well as not enough of something else.
   — vitalady

September 28, 2003
Hi Heidi, Chris from support group here. Call the office and see what they say. It's most likely been 2 months since you had bloodwork done and maybe they will want to do it early to see if anything has changed. It would probably be worth trying the B-12 every other day or every day, but ask the docs. Daon't add iron unless they tell you to as it can cause all kinds of constipation etc. They will add it only if you are low. Maybe the B-12 shots would work better for you. <p>I wonder if you are really sleeping well (quality). That can definitely make you sleep a lot and still feel tired. I would talk to your PCP about maybe taking something to sleep. Usually they use a low dose anti-depressant rather than sleeping pills as those are usually addictive. For years I took 25-50 mgs of Trazodone and it worked great with no morning hangover. You just remind me of when I got no restorative sleep. I could sleep 10-12 hours and then be awake for a few hours and back to sleep for a 4 hr nap that did very little for me. I was eventually diagnosed with a bizarre daytime sleep disorder. Maybe you are chasing after your little one too much. LOL <p>You've done wonderful on the weight loss. Like some of the others said make sure to get in the protein but also red meat. Georgen told me at my 6 month visit to work on eating more red meat for the iron etc. I had not been eating much prior to that. Good luck and feel free to e-mail me. Make sure you call today!
   — zoedogcbr

September 28, 2003
I'm 2+ years post op and have the same problem. In my case I get B-12 shots FOUR TIMES A MONTH! It is'nt helping. I've had complete blood work ups and that does'nt say anything ether. It is the pits when you had more energy at 319 than 162.
   — Danmark

September 28, 2003
Hi Heidi...I went through this, but it started at about 4 months out. I'm still feeling it now. My doctors ordered a complete set of bloodwork, and everything came back normal. My surgeon thinks I'm simply not getting enough "quality" sleep, either. He also thinks I need to exercise more...he said even a quick 20-minute walk everyday should give me a pep. He didn't think I needed additional iron or B-12 as all of my levels appeared within the norm. In speaking with others though, I got a different perspective. For years, I did not sleep well. I always survived on about 4 hours of sleep. Many have said that with the weight loss, my body is becoming more "normal" and that the 4 hours I used to survive on is no longer enough (it really never was). It's almost as though my body is now trying to catch up. I have tried increasing my sleep but habits developed after years of sleeping the way I did are very hard to break. I do find lately that if I make a better effort to sleep earlier and get in at least 6 or 7 hours, I do feel better. Maybe there's something to that? Good luck Heidi!
   — Amy A.

September 29, 2003
Please have your thyroid tested! That is a very common symptom of hypothyroidism. I have it and it's not a fun thing to live with. I feel very tired and have trouble concentrating if I forget to take my meds. HTH!
   — Skis I.

September 29, 2003
I am one of those in the same boat with you. All my labs are fine, I am obsessive about my protein, vitamins (iron, multi, calcium, B-12....), excercise, you name it. I feel tired most of the time, but I also have to admit, that the stress in my life is higher than ever before (good and bad) and that I can make myself do things easier when I'm tired than I could pre-WLS. Pre surgery I woke up every morning Sick and Tired. Until I had this surgery I didn't know that it was not normal to feel like that everyday. So for me, as much as I hate the tired feeling, I know that it is a far cry better than before. I've said it before, our bodies tell us what to do, we just need to slow down and listen. Right now I should be slowing down, but it's just not possible, so for me the extreme tiredness is back, it's a give-take thing with me, when things slow down, I'll rest better and feel better. Try focusing on your stressors and eliminate what you can and see if that helps for now.
   — Dana B.

September 29, 2003
I had the same problem almost a year ago. I felt so sleepy all day long so I would go to bed early and then wake up STILL tired! My PCP did extensive bloodwork since I am hypothyroid, but all the lab work came out fine. Finally she sent me in for a sleep study. BANG! There was the problem!! I found out that I have Restless Leg Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder. Both are neurological disorders. During my sleep study, I woke up 108 times and kicked violently over 300 times, but I didnt remember any of it! I am now on meds to control the kicking and help me go to sleep. Now I only need 7 hours of sleep a night and I FEEL GREAT!! Talk to your PCP and demand a sleep study!
   — S A.

September 29, 2003
I am 1 year post-op and I have the same problem and I just went to see my Surgeon last week and my CBC is fine, Thyroid is ok, sleep apnea has gotten better and I'm doing good on my protien still. The Surgeon said it's loss of muscle and I should lift weights 4x's a week, so I started that and I already feel better. I do not understand it, but so far is helping. Good luck!
   — Sandy M.

September 30, 2003
Original Poster here: Thanks so much for your help. I had my regular lab work done about 2 weeks ago, and it was fine. I do have hypothyroidism, and have things set up to have that checked. I will also look into a sleep study, because I am almost positive I have Restless Legs Syndrome. Thanks again!
   — Heidi H.

Click Here to Return