I do not know what is wrong with me

[KuteNurse]

Hello,

I am not sure what is going on with me lately. All I want to do is sleep and it is impossible to get out of bed in the morning. I also skipped my BD class tonight because I felt too exhausted to attend. I am not sick, physically at least. Perhaps I have some seasonal depression and need to vacation someplace with lots of sun. Does anyone else have this problem in the winter time?

 

[Farasha Hanem]

Ohhhhhh, yeah, but I not only suffer from S.A.D., I also suffer from chemical depression, so my doctor has me on Wellbutrin XL to help keep my brain chemistry in balance. I have sort of an unusual way to battle seasonal depression: Christmas lights! It helps a lot...

 

[adiemus]

First of all, get a full physical from your GP.
If it's SAD then there is some good evidence that light box therapy is helpful. I use full spectrum light during the winter before I get up (for an hour), and for an hour in the evening. This way I get sufficient light into my brain (can't remember the exact mechanism, but it's to do with melatonin), and I feel much better. I also have had longterm treatment for depression using currently venlafaxine (effexor) (and a whole bunch of different meds over the years).
Sometimes low iron, post viral fatigue, beginning of diabetes can be contributors to low energy.

 

[karena]

Hi Kutenurse
Sorry you're not feeling so good. I always feel less happy in the winter and struggle to get out of bed when it's dark. We used to have an alarm clock that simulated a sunrise.
Here's a UK link, but maybe you can find the same over there Dawn Simulators - Lumie

I'm a big one for changing the way I think about things, if you think about something as being negative it will be, so I really focus on spotting when the nights get lighter, spotting the first lambs and the first shoots coming though. I feel like I can breathe a sigh of relief when that happens as I have made it! Our winter solstice is a big lift to as things only get better from there. That said, Nov and Dec are still pretty awful, so I am trying to get excited about Xmas. And I also make an effort to go out an make the most of the little sunlight there is in the day. I think it makes a big difference.

And lots of fresh veg always helps me. The other day I felt so rough, and a lovely stir fry full of veg sorted me out. But sometimes cake is the thing to sort me out too.

Or have you just had too many early mornings taking your son to bike races? My fiance now has an internet cycling channel to we were watching the Tour of California the other day.

Hope that might help a little, but I can certainly say that you're not alone one jot. Thinking of you

 

[Reen.Blom]

Ladies what is that all about the lights thing? I am totally ignorant!

I dont have issues with winter since it have been summer here in SA for 2 years( well their winter is still summer for a Northern girl) But I do sleep for up to 12 hours a day when I can. It has to do lots with low blood pressure-we need to sleep longer-and of course I am fighting my depression without medication, just vitamins, so sleep is a blessing, until you wake up and feel like you have not slept at all...LOL

do you use the lights cos it is dark in the morning when you get up? Yay Farasha, I love the xmas lights and I have a string right here in my computer room, I am positivly mad about them, I thought I was just weird, but now I see im not alone...

Adiemus, what on earth is Light box therapy????

Karena, what exactly does that clock does? Does it shine the light before it goes off or something?

 

[karena]

Ladies what is that all about the lights thing? I am totally ignorant!
...

do you use the lights cos it is dark in the morning when you get up? Yay Farasha, I love the xmas lights and I have a string right here in my computer room, I am positivly mad about them, I thought I was just weird, but now I see im not alone...

Adiemus, what on earth is Light box therapy????

Karena, what exactly does that clock does? Does it shine the light before it goes off or something?

Yes it's all cos it's dark for too much of the day in winter, so the argument goes you don't get enough sunlight. the light box things are fake sunlight. the clock does a fake sunrise and setting (over between 30mins to 1.30hr), so you wake up gradually as the light comes on gradually, and then at night the light dimming sends you to sleep. it's to use your natural body clock that responds to sunrise and sunset. of course it doesn't work when you put your head under the duvet which is what i have a tendency to do :lol:

 

[Moon]

Kutenurse,

The first thing I thought when I read your post was "winter depression!"
Although I do not suffer from serious winter depression myself, I do get more exhausted, less productive at school etc. and I hate to go out in the morning if it's still dark and cold and rainy etc.
What helps me a lot is buying flowers, or even looking at pictures of flowers. Smelling oranges etc., little things that remind me of summer. Also, as soon as I have to get up the the morning, the first thing I do is putting lots of lights on and make sure my room is warm.
I know you probably don't feel like it, but during moments like this it's best to force yourself to do the things you know will make you happy: like bellydancing!
I also read once it will help to go out, even in winter, and take a walk through the snow and such, but the place where you live is so cold right now I don't know if it's wise to recommend you to go outside.
Good luck!

 

[Aisha Azar]

Tired

Dear Kutenurse,
Whatever you do, PLEASE do not buy into any of the mega-dose of Vitamin D theories. I was trying this to help with weight loss and feeling tired. Then I thought my heart was beating a little strangely, but since I have anxiety disorder, I thought it might be just me being overly body aware. Then, I went to my accupuncturist and she said my heart energy pulse was a little weird. We started discussing the Vitamin D thing and I went home and checked out the side effects of large doses, like they are currently recommending for SAD and weight loss. This is what I found out.
* It can cause a certain issue with heart rhythm due to a build up of calcium that the body can not let go of.
* It can cause weight loss but the side effects are sometimes VERY terrible
* It can cause confusion and disorientation
* It can cause BRAIN LESIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So.... I have cut back drastically on Vitamin D. I am already aware the mega doses of vitamins are pretty harmful, even the water soluble ones they once thought were safe. Don't know what got into me.
I hope you are feeling better soon and I think you should go to a doctor, too, as Adiemus suggested.
Regards,
A'isha

 

[da Sage]

Hi KuteNurse,

I hope you feel better soon! Can you take a walk outside during lunch, or in the early evening? That sometimes helps me perk up.

I don't take extra vitamin D besides my 100% supplement, and what's in dairy products, but I do take large doses of other vitamins. I get sick when I don't take them, so I will continue to take them. Lately I have been taking Fish Oil, which has helped me with depression. Although I suppose you could eat fish instead.

 

[taheya]

Hi Kutenurse, I am sure I have SAD and have this year bought a lightbox and a dawn simulator, which has helped me to feel better. Looking at everybody's replies it shows you how common this sort of problem is. I hope you find out what is going on, I think if you are feeling permanently tired you should ask your GP for a blood test to check for reasons why, to rule out any physical problems. It could be SAD or depression but whatever it is good luck and i really hope you feel better soon x

 

[adiemus]

Light box therapy provides replacement light to normalise the production of melatonin which for some people in winter reduces to the point where it produces an almost-hibernation. It's quite common, but often over-diagnosed because most people don't like getting out of bed in winter!! But I definitely find using a lightbox helps me during winter, and I do have SAD along with bog-standard depression. You do need to get a proper lightbox, because the level of lux and the colour of the light is important to get right. Reen.Blom, SAD is less common in latitudes north of about Christchurch in NZ (40 degrees)... It's also really important to make sure any other contributing factor to fatigue (eg low iron levels which is REALLY common in women), and any other endocrine or metabolic disorder, so blood tests are in order!!

 

[KuteNurse]

Awww...Thankyou for all the concern and great tips. I just have to force myself to do stuff. Today I sat in my jammes all day long and watched tv. I overreacted to an issue my son is having and I feel pretty miserable. I think tomorrow I am going to get out and go for a walk, even if it is short and maybe go to the mall and buy something for myself to cheer me up. Please keep the positve remarks coming

 

[taheya]

Kutenurse I forgot to say exercise is sooo important, it will help m
you release endorphins and make you feel energised/ improve mood. Although i do appreciate it is hard to motivate yourself when yoi are feeling low. Definately try to get out everyday even for a short walk, just being outside in the sun will make you feel better im sure.

 

[KuteNurse]

Kutenurse I forgot to say exercise is sooo important, it will help m
you release endorphins and make you feel energised/ improve mood. Although i do appreciate it is hard to motivate yourself when yoi are feeling low. Definately try to get out everyday even for a short walk, just being outside in the sun will make you feel better im sure.

Thankyou everyone, taheya. I did get out today, went for a short walk. It was nice outside and it made me feel better, plus I bought new clothes! Although, I can't wear them until spring. My son is going through an issue and I have been dealing with it. It has been quite depressing. Have you heard of the internet bullies? Well, he has one who lives locally. It really is a shame.

 

[nightdancer]

My first thought, honestly, was "Are you pregnant?" and also, time for a trip to the doctor for blood workup. Seasonal blahs are normal, but if it is to the point where it is debilitating, then its time to see someone.

Hope you feel better

Robynne

 

[Kharmine]

Howdy, KN, just popping in and couldn't help but add my best wishes to the chorus.

What everyone said is good, and I would add that you should check to see if you are having any interactions with supplements and/or medications or food that might be affecting you negatively.

Also, I would add my encouragement to nghtdancer's to get blood tests. You may have problems with thyroid or low iron levels or insulin resistence. All are major factors in the low, depressed-but-nothing particularly wrong feeling.

 

[KuteNurse]

I am happy to report I am feeling a bit better. I went to the doctor and nothing significant was found in my blood. I just need to kick myself and get back into life. I would consider this a mild form of depression probably related to the lack of sunlight and warm temperatures. Hopefully, spring is around the corner and the weather will be getting warmer. My son's cycle races start soon, which means early mornings and long drives to races. Hopefully this will make me feel better. I also planned a small reunion with 3 friends from highschool in April. It will be great to see everyone again.

 

[karena]

that all sounds really good. glad you are feeling a bit better. spring is a wonderful thing

 

[adiemus]

I love spring too - but we're entering into Autumn, and the leaves are all turning and the mornings are getting darker and the nights a bit crisper, and although I'm sad to see summer go (it's been a wonderful summer), it's nice to think that winter will be here soon and we can snuggle under the eiderdown and have the fire going and eat comfort food!!!
I hope you're looking after yourself Kutenurse - we all need a bit of TLC every now and then, and as a long-time person with depression, sometimes just letting go and glooming for a while can help us bounce back faster!

 

[Mosaic]

Hi KuteNurse,
I agree with others who have mentioned SAD. I loathe winter because I always feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders, and when the sun shines on a winters day and the sky is blue I tend to "overdose " on it LOL! But I sure feel so much better. I also don't sleep very well in the winter. I don't suffer from depression as such, but noticed after living in permanent summer in the tropics for 11 years that facing the lack of sunlight in winter was/is a burden and I tend be like a bear ( except on days when the sun actually shines and it isn't cold) ... I hibernate except on Bellydance class days

We are moving towards winter now here in the southern hemisphere and I am already dreading it.

But do have a checkup to eliminate any physical problems, and then look to getting some sort of lightbox especially for your next winter. Do hope your coming warmer and sun filled days cheer you up real soon.
~Mosiac

PS: Another thing to consider to bring 'artificial' sunlight into your home is to replace light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs, they do help. Plants love them in winter. We have all fluros in our house ( also cheaper to run)