Sick and Tired of Being Tired

[HumbleBee2]

Ok so I really don't understand why EVERYDAY and I mean EVERYDAY I need to come home after work and take a nap.  I can't function until I take my afternoon nap and then I feel so good and refreshed.
I used to be a stay at home mom and worked part time,,,I would be tired now and then but could function just fine.  It wasn't til about 7 years ago I need to take a nap everyday.  I feel like I can hardly get to the bed.  Once I take a nap...either 20 minutes of sleep or half hour or so I wake up from that nap and feel totally refreshed.
I wake up in the mornings and I feel rough every morning.  And once in a while I will get lucky and hit jack pot and feel somewhat good but then by mid morning booom I am just exhausted!!!!  I feel so tired behind the eyes but oh when I get done with my nap I feel great!
I have tried everything from closing the door at night so cats don't jump on bed to eleiminating coffee etc.  Nothing works.  I go to bed at the same time everynight and try to get 7-8 or sometimes 9 hours of sleep and that doesn't matter.  I do wake up having vivid dreams up to 4 or more a night.  I don't think its sleep apnea since I am not over weight and no one hears me snore or stop breathing at night,,,  my husband says he never hears me stop breathing or anything but I realize I can't rule that out.  I have had experienced a dozen times in my life that sleep paraylis thing,  OH MY GOD I HATED THAT WAY TO SCARY!  
Well I guess I should go see a sleep clinic and see but are there other sleep disorders that have these kinds of symptoms that someone can share with me????  Yes I know I have anxiety and depression but I know I am not depressed every single day like this!!!! 7 years is a long time to be tired,  Oh by the way on my day(s) 0ff  I take a morning nap cuz I just feel so sluggish even trying to do things around the house,... but then feel great after that nap!!!  I also like my job so I don't think it has too much to do with it!!!  But any one have this????  THANK YOU

[Suri123]

Hi, how are you doing? Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the control of sleep and wakefulness in which people will experience excessive daytime sleepiness and intermittent, uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during the daytime. Usually begins between the ages of 15 and 25, but it can become apparent at any age. Cause is not known. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) - interferes with normal activities on a daily basis, whether or not a person with narcolepsy has sufficient sleep at night. People with EDS report mental cloudiness, a lack of energy and concentration, memory lapses, a depressed mood, and/or extreme exhaustion. You may get more information by going through this link. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/narcolepsy.htm Hope you will do better. Post your thoughts and take care.

[HumbleBee2]

Yes I do relax at night and most usually I don't have any problems falling asleep at all.  I can't imagine if it was depression or stress that I would have the need to take a nap everyday for 7 years,  
How do they check you for narcelopsy?  That sounds kinda like maybe what I have.  

[Suri123]

   Hi, thanks again for your reply. Don't think you cannot manage a afternoon nap which is helping you to carry on your routine daily activities thereafter. Similarly you should also try to sleep as early as possible at night so that you may have sleep for at least 7-8 hours. You need to know about the things that comfort you and put you to sleep early. Few of them have been already discussed early. It is good practice to go on morning/evening walk followed by a warm/steam bath, which can be really refreshing. How about your doctor visit? It may take some more time but sure you will do well. Take care.

[HumbleBee2]

Hi thanks.  I am good about the stress stuff.  I do take my walks with the dog etc.  But I need a nap to do so first!!!  Cuz after my afternoon nap I am fine for the rest of the day.  I so get sleepy while driving, But that is in morning. I not fallen asleep at wheel but am always tired UNTIL I TAKE  MY NAP! Thanks for input as I welcome them all.

[Suri123]

Hi HumbleBee2, how are you doing? Thanks lynettemareska, for sharing some of your thoughts which is valuable. As you have been suffering for a very long time, it is natural to be loosing your interest in daily routine. Sleep disturbance particularly at nights can be very worrying as it interferes in day to day activities, you are right in pointing out being rough following mornings. As said earlier, you need to decrease stress in life and relax, do relaxation courses like yoga and meditations to overcome stress. Physical activity regularly like going for moring-evening walks, regular stretches will help you. Hope you might have got evaluated by a sleep specialist, do update on your progress and take care.

[lynettemareska]

You totally sound like narcelopsy.  I have it, probably have had it since 16, just diagnosed about 5 yrs ago.  It was the best thing I ever did was to go and get
tested.  It sounds like you know what you have too, so just go and get tested, maybe
it's not narcelopsy.  I still can't even spell the word right:)

do you fall asleep driving or in tv/movies that you really want to watch, but just
can't stay awake?

[Suri123]

Hi HumbleBee2, How are you doing? It seems that you are suffering being sick, tired or not being well for quite a long time. How was your health status before this? Although one enjoys the job what one is doing, stress and strain involved in day-to-day life at work place or at home together if becomes beyond one's adjusting capability, it leads to too much stress causing physical and mental illness. Also chronic fatigue can make you really run to down, non energetic, no interest in daily routine or recreational activities leading to poor sleep and exhaustion. Since you feel refreshed after a day nap, you need to try it if time permits. Are you under any continuous medication? Sleep apnea also occurs without you being aware of it, so a sleep study will be beneficial. Do morning evening-walk, stretches, have nutritious diet with lot of water or other liquids, have hot shower and listen to soft music before going to bed, these can be soothing to mind and body so it may be of some help. Mild dose of Alprax also can be tried. Keep updating of any visit. Take care.