So tired and exhausted.. any help?
 

Hey

I am so tired these days, I am really struggling to do much at all, and I'm so unmotivated. I really struggle to get out of bed and go to college and stay awake and concentrate. I just want to lay and rest every minute of the day, and I'm scared im failing my course. I just cant move

I think its a combination of "depression" and dark nights/winter, as it seems to be a common occurrence every winter, although i am pretty tired all year round, it gets a lot worse.

I have had blood tests about a month or so ago, and when i was in hospital, (not for this though) and i dont have anything wrong.

I'm on sertraline and i dont think its that thats making me so tired and achey.

Can anyone offer any advise? x

It's best to see your GP- it sounds like symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder to me but I am not a doctor (yet). Sertraline should have an activating effect though, maybe ask your doctor to increase your dose?

Yeah when i first started taking it it made me very awake, but having been on it for about 6/7 weeks, all side effects have gone. Blah its not working but ive only been on 100mg for 3 weeks.


I've got an appointment next week but not really sure if they'll say "talk to your team"
x

Hi Ami,

I would agree with LaurieR, sounds like your body wants to go into a hibernating state - very common with SAD especially if you seem to feel worse in October / November over a few years,and there's nothing that comes to mind.

Likewise the medication it should do something, perhaps you need a higher dose, go back to your doctor x

Well 100mg should be an adequate dose (although the maximum is 200mg/day for depression)...I think it's worth trying talking to your GP, then the specialist service.

Yeah thanks :)

Is there anything i can do to give me more energy? For some reason vitamin D comes to mind? :S

And is sleeping a lot a good idea? like, naps through the day?

If it is SAD, the best thing you can do is maximise your 'out in the daylight' time, by say going for a walk at lunch time.

Your GP/ care team will have more advice on what can be done to help, but the above is in no way detrimental to any form of depression, so it wont hurt to try it.

i feel like that all the time but not just in the winter altho it might be worse in winter i dont know. theres nothing physically wrong with me either. maybe i should mention SAD to my doc

Ami,

If its SAD, be outside in the daylight as much as you can - just wrap up warm, that helps, even if its cloudy, but if its sunny then great get out there :) x

i shall try :) x

Actually I just remembered that there is a new antidepressant (licensed in the UK earlier this year) called Agomelatine, which (as its name tells) enhances the actions of melatonin. It is the first antidepressant that doesn't have effects on the serotonin/noradrenaline system as its main function, although it does hit some serotonin receptors to a minor degree. It also modulates the circadian rhythm so should be effective in SAD. Maybe you can talk to your doctor about trying this drug?

Sorry if this is not reasonable, I know I sound like a sales rep from a drug company here...but believe me I am not!! LOL

I really enjoy the way you know everything :)!

start taking multivitamines....i'm finding that my mood is dropping and i keep getting ill...i was bouncing off walls last week...this week my mood has dropped and i've caught some bug...i know the lack of sun doesn't help the lows of my bp...so ive been taking the well woman vitamins..hoping it'll sto pme getting ill and missing college