Bagpuss Report post Posted July 21, 2006 Hi, I've been feeling very low in energy lately and wondering if there are anything I could buy from health food shops/boots etc which may help boost my energy levels or if anyone had tried anything natural which had worked for them, someone mentioned a deficiency in B12 can cause these difficulties, although I don't know if thats a fact or not. I have a pretty healthy diet, lots of fruit and veg, good breakfast, very little alcohol, don't smoke, do exercise approx 2-3 times a week, yet feel lethargic, especially in the afternoons, and could quite easily go to sleep and have found myself dozing sometimes. I thought it may be that I needed a snack in the afternoon, but that hasn't made any difference. Also feeling quite headachey..although that could be the heat.I do get a good nights sleep, although do to go to bed and read for a while, and dd is up at the crack of dawn, normally 6.30ish now. Anyone been thru similar and found something which worked for them? Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest flutter Report post Posted July 21, 2006 u still drinkin lots of water? i would get checked at docs for all that u got going on <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted July 21, 2006 Thanks for your reply flutter Yes, do drink lots of fluids...mainly tea though, and tried switching to caffeine free, but no difference. I drink about 4 glasses of water a day too. Recently had blood tests done at docs, for something unrelated to this, and the tests which checked sugar levels, hormone levels and iron etc were all normal .I was thinking of having allergy testing done...maybe its an intolerence to something.. ......like life Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest flutter Report post Posted July 21, 2006 could just be life stress me i needddsss a sleep clinic lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justamom Report post Posted July 21, 2006 It could be a iron defiency, you never know??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KarenT Report post Posted July 22, 2006 Could also be the heat - it's got a lot of people floored at the moment. Maybe if you wait and see how you are when the normal British climate returns? Sympathies though. 82 degrees and ME don't go well together Karen x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted July 22, 2006 Thanks Justamom Its definately not iron deficiency, recently had that checked for other reasons. Think it is a basic lack of energy in an afternoon, as I'm ok in the morning and evening. May still go down health shop and see whats available Karen..... <'> <'> Hope the heat eases off abit soon for you. Thanks for your reply Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Siadwell Report post Posted July 22, 2006 (edited) If you need it, take brief catnaps during the day. You'll be suprised how much peace can come from a couple of minutes. Edited July 22, 2006 by Siadwell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aro Report post Posted July 22, 2006 Did they check thyroid function, I used to be bone achingly tired! I still get exhausted but doesn't feel like that flu muscle/bone fatigue any more. Anna x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted July 22, 2006 Thanks Aro and Saidwell Yup, thyroid function fine too...I'm pretty sure its nothing "medical" so to speak, just maybe lacking in some va va voom from 1pm onward...then perk up again by around 6pm Just thought maybe some vitamins or similar supplement could help. I find I have tons of energy on an evening....Hmmmm....strange that, as dd is in bed then Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daisydot Report post Posted July 23, 2006 It could be an intolerence. I recently had tests for food intolerance and it came back that I had an intolerance of Corn - which shows up in all sorts of processed foods as Maize Starch, Cornflower, etc. I also have to limit the wheat. The tests were really expensive, but they basically take you through the whole process and you can speak to a nutritionist in the price. I was given some "biosydopholos and L- Glutamene" to take whilst eliminating the offending foods from my diet. This is supposed to heal the gut and then you can re-introduce the foods. I am still only just embarking on this so cant say whether its made any difference yet. I have felt exhausted for years. I too have had tests, I eat well, I sleep well, I drink water, but I often just cannot have the energy to do everything I want to do. I am quite overweight, but quite honestly I used to feel like this when I was a size 10 and in my twenties. I have noticed that when I eat lentils for tea (I really like dhal in curries) I often feel very energetic next day. Off for a nap (I wish). Daisydot Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted July 23, 2006 Thanks Daisy I've been pondering if it could be an intolerance, and I've often seen adverts in our health food shop for allergy testing and wondered if i should go ahead. Think I will definately book an appointment next time I see it. I've actually noticed over the last few years if I eat anything really sweet and sugary/gummy I feel drained afterwards , absolutely no energy and so, so dry, so I tend to avoid those things now. Something I noticed today.....our dd usually plays in the garden with our other kids, but she's developed abit of a phobia of being out there when the neighbours are, so won't go out. This has lead to us sitting out with her...not really my cup of tea, struggle with the heat, but actually felt more energetic this afternoon, and wondered if it could do with having some fresh air, rather than sitting in. Maybe it may help if I go and sit in the garden or go for a walk in the afternoon, see if it helps long term. Thanks again Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hev Report post Posted August 3, 2006 just seen this thread,flutter asked if you were drinking water,does that help with tiredness then?i dont drink enough,i try but i find it dull,maybe thats why im tired all the time Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tally Report post Posted August 4, 2006 lacking in some va va voom from 1pm onward...then perk up again by around 6pm This is not unusual, given that it is summer, and a fairly hot one at that. People in many countries do sleep at this time. If it's possible, I would recommend a short siesta after lunch (1hr-90 mins max). If that's not an option, stick with a light, cold lunch with some kind of wholegrain (for a sustained release of energy throughout the afternoon) like bread, or a cold (wholegrain) rice or pasta salad. Make sure you drink enough water. Tiredness and headaches can be a sign of dehydration (but headaches can also be caused by tiredness). A cold drink is energising in itself, but has only a brief effect. There's always good old coffee. I take Ginseng and Guarana, which helps. It's best not to take this every day, just when you need it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites