Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Ju Ju on June 15, 2015, 11:49:19 AM
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This weekend has proved to me that taking early retirement was my only option. I've been on a course for the voluntary work I do. It's been great, worthwhile and not onerous, with less than an hours drive each end of the day. I found it hard going though and today I'm flattened. Still in pjs and having a shower seems like a mountain to climb. Having my lovely little grandson around doesn't help, but fortunately DH is here taking charge of operations ( or it the other way round?) I know I have to pace myself and this was difficult to do this weekend. The course continues next weekend. I find it so frustrating not being able to do all the things I want to do. I take a low dose of HRT, which has helped. My gynaecologist did prescribe double the dose, but I started spotting not during the prog stage, so had to revert back. Just a moan and I am sure that others have to cope with this kind of exhaustion. This isn't just meno related. I physically couldn't cope with full time work once I had children, so had to make do with part time and forget any thought of career development. Sorry, having a 'sorry for me day.' :(
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I'm just the same. Was the course all day? I find I need some "chill out" time after a few hours.
Here's my day so far:
woken by alarm at 7.45am. Struggled to get up. Bathed and washed hair. Drove 15 miles, mainly motorway, to friend's house. Had a cuppa, walked dog there for almost 5km, stopped for more tea and cake, drove back home via petrol station and local shopping centre where I bought a couple of items. Got home about 12.30pmand neighbour wanted to talk about his fence. Invited him round to look at fence. Hung out washing. I am now really tired and would like to go and lie down. I've not yet got to the absolutely HAVE to lie down stage yet though. I've got a doctor's appt late afternoon, after which I should go to Yoga for 7pm. Not sure I will last that long though so may in fact miss Yoga.
Like you, I couldn't contemplate full time work after I had the kids and now live alone but still couldn't manage more hours.
I feel really feeble when I read what others manage to do. I do have an underactive thyroid but I've been on meds for that for over 20 years now.
My elderly neighbour and his ladyfriend, by contrast, seem to manage to cram a heck of a lot more into their day.
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Still in pjs. Can't think about lunch. It's frustrating when you see others with loads of energy and doing so much. It's difficult to explain to people why I can't do things particularly when I am out and about, I seem ok. Still family and close friends are supportive. Before trying HRT CFS was being suggested.
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For goodness sake Mrs Mopp - you've been up since early, driving a 30 miles round trip and walked a dog …….. that's far more than I would consider these days!
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7.45am isn't early. People who work full time get up at 7am or earlier, work all day then go out socialising or to the gym ::)
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Oh I vaguely remember the alarm clock going off at 7.00 a.m. ;). I was lucky in working close to home so was able to go for walks/cycle/socialising if I wanted to ……. now I can't be bothered!
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It IS frustrating JuJu. I have wondered whether it is CFS. I have a GP appt later as apparently something needs discussing re a routine blood test I had a fortnight ago. Maybe she will up my thyroxine dosage.
All I've done since returning home is sit on the computer. I still want to go for a sleep but I am resisting. My daughter will be here tonight. I hope I'm not too grumpy by then :-\
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Crashing fatigue. Oh I'm so sympathetic with that one. My body just crashed this afternoon . I forced it to go swimming this morning, having had about 3/4 hours sleep at most. Woke with someone humming at 5am, that'll be hubby. He's taken to listening to iPod whilst on computer & hums away all the time, that's when he's not singing. He's no singer! Then to top it off, local seagull put it's penny's worth in too. I tried resisting urge to sleep, but body took over.
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My DH says you have a limited store of energy and if you use it up, you are empty, so you have to rest to fill up again. Good way of looking at it. It's just I haven't a big store to start with! I've tried to rest, but it's not easy with a 2 year old around, even though DH has done the brunt of the playing. Still had to change his nappy and cook his dinner. Next door is having an extension built and it is very noisy, which wears you down. They are never there in the day time, so it's the neighbours who have to live with it with no benefit. I'm really having a moan aren't I? Tomorrow's another day and hopefully I'll be more myself.
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Moan away! Young children are exhausting even if they are only entertaining themselves. It's the fact that you are responsible for them. Very tiring. When I worked in nursery, it may only have been part time, but I was exhausted when I got home. 16 children every day. I'm tired thinking about it.
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I find if I am energetic one or maybe two days in a row then the next couple of days I'm wiped out.
I manage my mothers house as well as my own. A typical day at mothers is very very busy as 92yr olds are a bit messy not to mention demanding. If I come home from that to things to do in my own house then by the next day I'm done.
It's like recharging batteries.
I think I'm a bit unrealistic, I'm not as young as I used to be so it stands to reason I will be more tired.
I've accepted that and try to work around it.
Honeybun
X
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Poor you...I'm also having problems with exhaustion and so I really feel for you. I work with a very demanding class of 30 six to seven year olds! I had time off for fatigue before I knew it was related to the peri; now it seems to have got worse alongside with my other peri symptoms. I unfortunately have long days due to the nature of the job: alarm goes off at 6am and back home by 6 or 7.I feel like I'm constantly sapped... I feel like a husk of my former self.
Due to this (alongside at my dismay at what is happening within the education system and its systematic quiet destruction) , I have handed in my resignation, I will now work on a freelance basis.
I am at this moment propped up in bed whilst my teenagers are having a pizza and film night downstairs (Wayne's World- party time!! If only).
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I thought it was just me who got really tired. It seems there is quite a lot of us.
I think my problem is that I don't realise that I am getting older (59) and still think that I can cram in as much as I used to. In a few weeks time I will be looking after 2 of my Grandchildren in the School Holidays for 2 days a week. I am dreading it as I have to be up at 5.30am because their Parents have to be in work for 7am. I know in advance that I will start the day as a Zombie and end the day as a Zombie. They really zap my energy, not that I have much in the first place.
Its not an age thing, as I know loads of people older than me that are full of beans including my own Sister aged 70. Anyone one comes up with a solution let us all know.
Mazzy x
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Tell the parents to find alternative child care? Someone had to say 'yes' ;)
When my body needs to sleep, sleep it does. Can't fight it.
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Us grandparents know how much childcare costs these days. Many parents can't afford full time care over the long summer holidays & we do it out of love for our families. It's just that it can be quite tiring when you're not as young as you once were. We've got our eldest GD staying with us for about a week next month, then we'll take her to her other grandparents. When other grandmother goes back to work, daughter will come for the eldest GD. Youngest one will stay at home.
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Honeybun I agree with your husband - there is a limited reserve of energy and when it's gone, it's gone. I think that's why I can have a really good day and get lots done then the next day I am absolutely wiped out.
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Glad to say I do feel a bit better today. The thought of a shower was not overwhelming this morning, so not smelly! ::)
Spirit guide, I relate to how you feel, having been an early years teacher. Just the classroom time with the children, however enjoyable, was exhausting, but add to that preparation, paperwork, meetings, further training and so on.....well......
Yes, sparkle, I keep forgetting the gall bladder op, because I have felt so much better since, but of course it was an op under general anaesthetic.
I shall try and do the minimum for the rest of the week, so I can cope with the weekend, last 2 days. I have enjoyed it up to now, though a bit alarmed to find I will be only one of two volunteers in my area qualified to do this work, so will have to practice saying NO, to look after myself.
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Well JuJu, it's i suppose like with everything in life, trying to find that pot of gold: balance in our lives. Very difficult I know..but you seem to be working towards it (in theory anyway, let us know how it pans out).