ok ladies I need to pick your brains...

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Ok so this isn't pregnancy related ..but for all I know it could be related-after-the-fact.  Here's my issue...

The last several months it seems I am ALWAYS extremely tired...doesn't matter how much or little sleep I get. Lily sleeps from 730 pm to 600 am so it's not that she's waking me.  I have nights where I wake several times..but I also have nights where I dont' remember waking at all, I sleep 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours and STILL feel very exhausted the next day.  

I do take an antidepressant (zoloft) but I was on it after my last pregnancy and didn't feel like this so I don't think that's it.  I've also been more irritable lately than I normally am (on the meds).  

I have bouts where I just randomly feel really nauseaus for a few minutes, then it passes and I'm fine...this only happens every so many days.  

It seems that I have had a constant cold/upper respiratory infection since I gave birth back in September.  It goes away for a few weeks and comes back.  I've been on antibiotics a couple of times.  

Sometimes I get this feeling...it's hard to describe..but if you've ever taken a pain medication that makes you sort of feel like your head is in the clouds...it's kind of like that feeling only I haven't taken anything.  

I got what I think is a yeast infection that started about a week ago.

Saturday night I had this really odd episode where all of the sudden my insides just felt like someone was punching them.  It was kind of a cross between SEVERE diarrhea cramps and really bad menstrual cramps. I kept going to the bathroom hoping one or the other would happen.  I got NEITHER.  During this time my lower back started hurting and it radiated up my spine...It was probabyl 6 out 10 on the pain scale.  I finally took a pain pill so I could fall asleep...by morning I was fine.  

I've also been constantly hungry for months.  It doesn't matter WHAT or how MUCH I eat it's like I keep feeling hungry.  It's not boredom hunger becuase even when I'm super busy I'm constantly thinking about food.  I've gained 10 lbs since I had Lily rather than losing any.  I've been trying to exercise but I just have no energy at ALL.  

I also have almost NO interest in sex.  It doesn't cross my mind, sometimes if DH makes advances I think "oh no" becuase it's just NOT there for me.  As much as I WANT it to be there...the desire for anything sexual is GONE!!!

I stopped breastfeeding (well pumping) about 3 weeks ago.  My milk is ALMOST dried up.

So after giving you all this TMI LOL, what do you think?  Hormonal imbalance?  I'm just going crazy? Something else?

I don't want to just run to the doc and have them think I'm just nuts.  I also want to have an idea in mind of what it could be so I don't have to pay for countless unneccessary tests.  Any and all suggestions/questions welcome!! THanks!

[amandamae1126]

This may sound weird, but my mom gets really depressed in poor weather...especially when it's extended poor weather. It has something to do with her not getting enough sunlight. When the weather is bad, we don't go outside and have little exposure to the sun. Try getting a few more breaks to go outside, even if it's cold, dreary and grey. Try taking the kids for a quick walk or something to get a good 10-15 minutes of extra sunlight each day. This trick helped mom so much that she's on less than half the dose of anti-depressants as she was on before.

I hope you get to feeling better.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Ok ladies, just thought I'd update on my doctors appt.  

I went in last wednesday (took so long to update cuz we went out of town).  My doc tested for a UTI and it was negative.  I did get prescribed some stuff for BV so apparently I didn't have a yeast infection.  He also said that even though I've had my thyroid tested several times in the past that after having a baby is a prime time for the thyroid to screw up.  SO, this is what I find odd.  He went ahead and prescribed Levothyroxine (generic Synthroid) for Hypothyroidism.  He took blood to TEST for it...but went ahead and put me on the meds?!?!  He also marked on the coding sheet that I was treated for hypothyroidism.  He also gave me some meds for my allergies but as I figured they aren't doing much.  Allergy meds don't really work for me.  

Anyway, I've been on the thyroid med for almost a week now.  I did notice that over the weekend I seemed to have way more energy-but that could have just been from the excitement of all the things to see/do in Savannah.  The last two days I've been really dragging-not sure if it's related to the weather or not.  Over the weekend in Savannah it was warm and sunny...now back home it's cold and dark and dreary.  I know the med info says it can take a few weeks to take full effect so I'll wait and see.  I have to call my doc back next week for the blood test results and to let him know how I'm doing on the meds.  

Oh and he checked my iron..it was 12.9  which is the highest it's been since I got pregnant this last time-so it's not iron-deficient anemia.

[sweetpea03]

You need to make a doctor's appointment and get blood work done. They can check your hormone levels, iron levels, blood sugar levels, etc. that way to see what is going on.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Thanks for the post...what exactly is hypoglycemic and how would you test for something like that?

I

[DarkRaven]

You could have become hypoglycemic like my mom. She has a hard time keeping iron in her system and has a low blood count. she gets everything like what said and then some. she has to get IV iron transfusions because her body isn't processing the iron pills. just something to check on.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I've used the OTC uti kit for DD14 last year but never bothered spending the money when I thought I had one.  Leave it me to just self diagnose and try home treatment.  I think I'm gonna schedule an appt with my GYN...just tell them I want to be checked for a UTI and have my iron levels checked.  I really don't have a general practitioner I use  I've been pregnant so many times I just use my OB lol.  In the meantime I'm gonna put myself on iron supplements  and see if it helps.  We're going to Savannah next weekend and I really don't wanna be so sluggish and lazy!!

[angela418]

Once you posted under your original post about low iron, I immediately thought that was probably what was making you so tired.  I was anemic when I was really young, so my mom tells me, and haven't had any problems as a teen/adult with it, I'm now 30.  But, I can tell if I have low iron I get REALLY sluggish.  I bet iron-rich foods or supplements would really help you out, especially since you know you had a problem with it already.  Of course, going to the doctor for a complete check up may be the best thing to do.  And, someone already mentioned that you can get an OTC UTI test kit at the drug store - my MIL has gotten them a few times.  

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Sounds like a trip to the doctor is what you really need.  You can buy a test for a UTI at a drug store though.  Might want to do that and buy an iron supplement.  If you aren't feeling better after that, then I'd go see your doctor.

As far as what doctor to see....you could probably see either one to tell you the truth.  If you like your GYN and are comfortable there, I would go there.  It hasn't been that long since you gave birth so he could def do anything a regular doctor could do.  Sometimes the effects of childbirth can linger for quite some time.

[Ashelen]

Oh girl you sound exactly like I do..I've wondered if I was pregnant this month because I've been overly exhausted, nauseous, super-sensitive to smells, my breasts have gotten larger, and I can't seem to eat enough to get full. it's driving me nuts. I am not takin an anti-depressant but other than that we sound really similar. Let me know what you figure out, I'm at a loss! I've been eating healthy foods and trying to exercise but nothing seems to make a difference...I feel like I've been run over by a pregnancy-inducing semi truck lol. but I don't THINK I'm pregnant.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

LOL!!!  I don't think it's the meds becuase I was on them after Gabe was born, went off for this last pregnancy and went back on right after...never had a problem with it.  

My diet has always lacked - so maybe it's catching up wtih me.  I'm a very picky eater...I don't eat red meat...haven't since I got pregnant with DD14-just lost taste for it.  I eat chicken and turkey and occasionally a little bit of pork.  I do love my veggies, but don't get them a lot lately simply becuase I just don't feel like cooking.  As I said, I am taking a prenatal still but I may need to add an iron supplement to see.  

I've had my thyroid tested several times so it's not likely to be that.  I was reading something about undiagnosed UTI's causing great fatigue.  I THINK I had one several weeks ago.  I had the burning, a teeny bit of blood, the frequent urge to pee, etc.  But I didn't go to the doc, I just took cystex and loaded up on cranberry stuff.  It only lasted a couple days and appeared to be gone.  BUT I supposed it could still be there and have moved to the kidneys or the bladder and I just lost the symptoms...that might explain the horrible cramping episode.

I just hate going to the doc...mostly becuase I hate getting the bill LOL, but I guess I should - my kids really need me to be in top shape..NOW...do I go to my GYN or a general practitioner?

[Michele, Katy, TX]

GA, I agree w/ the above poster.  It could very well just be as simple as a med change.  But I don't think it is a bad idea to go in and have either a CBC or at the very least, have them check your iron levels.  If your iron is off, you will definitely feel tired.  

Try to be sure that you are eating your fruits and veggies.  I know it's hard when you are busy.  It is just so much easier to grab a cookie on the go or something but making sure you are getting the right nutrients will help.  Maybe buy some healthy energy/granola type bars.  Be sure you are getting plenty of iron also just in case.  I'm sure you know this but iron levels are high in red meats.  If you buy lean meats, they still have all the benefits of the high fat/calorie meats...minus the fat/calories.

I have been feeling MUCH the same way but I just attribute it to the pregnancy.  I miss my morning cup of coffee but I just have absolutely no desire for it when I am pregnant.  Coffee is not my friend when I am pregnant.  The last couple of days, my eyes just want to close even if I am standing up.  It's a terrible feeling because I don't have time to feel this way :)  I know you are there with me too.

Good luck and I really hope you start feeling better soon.  I felt this way after my 4th I believe.  I went to see my regular doctor and when he asked how many kids I had, he just kind of giggled and said, "No wonder you are tired."  Cute but not an answer.  He did blood work and all came back normal.  I didn't pursue it anymore and I eventually got back to normal but I think you could have other things going on.  Could be hormonal as you said since you just stopped BFing.  Your body may be trying to get back to normal for your cycles to start back if they haven't already.  With my last baby, Mary, when my cycles started back up, my cramps were killer.  Prescription IBProfin used to do the trick but it wasn't anymore.  Along with the cramps, I also get the premenstral migraines.  I went and saw my OB and he prescribes Tylenol 3.  I only used them when I REALLY needed them and then I got pregnant like the next month.  Okay so I could go on and on here....I am babbling now.  LOL!

But I do hope you get to feeling better soon.  Not easy to take care of your family when you feel bad.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I'm still taking prenatals and a b-complex vitamin.  I admit my diet has plenty of room for improvement I just have no energy for cooking lately so I grab easy stuff which usually isnt healthy :(

[NicMom]

I would go see the dr and have some blood work done to check in on all your levels. Are you still taking a multi vitamin? It could have something to do with the zoloft or maybe it's just your diet.

[Tryingforbaby2]

I have been on zoloft before and I wonder if this is the meds messing with you. It isn't that uncommon to have to change meds to try something different. I would talk to your dr and see what they think. That would be a somewhat easy fix. It could very well just be hormones but the meds can help that too. I hope you feel better soon, I know how frustrating it can be to just not feel right.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

AFter reading another post I just thought of something....about 8 hours after I had Lily I stood up to use the restroom and had MAJOR blood loss...it was to the point that I was EXTREMELY light headed and coupled with the lack of sleep I passed out/fell asleep about 10 minutes after it happened.  My hemoglobin dropped to 8.5, they gave me iron and it went up to 9 then it dropped back to 8.3 a week later (even while on iron supplements) After two months it was at 10.9.  I haven't had it checked again since then (that was mid november).  Not sure if this has anything to do with how I've been feeling or not.