Shattered this morning/every morning.

[valm]

Recently have been so tired in the morning taking me hours to get ready! Are you the same got any advice need to get motivated if I want to get back to work?

Hate the feeling of it wishy washy urgh. Val

[Hidden]

Hello Val,

I'm no saying I actually am doing this right now, and now you mention it, it popped back into my head it's something I do if I need to get out of the house fast of a morning, for an appointment or something. What I do is prepare everything I can, so my clothes all laid out and already ironed, Coffee stuff ready to go.

All in all, everything that takes any effort when wandering around with a dazed-sleepy head, I take care of when I'm wide awake (or something like it) the evening before.

Basically, all I then need to do is WC, shower with coffee stuff already and primed, milk in the pan (yes I use a tiny bit of milk each day for a cup of coffee & I used to live on coffee before I quit smoking), kettle already boiled once, coffee in the filter, sugar in the cup, dive under the shower, whilst getting dressed finish the coffee off, switching kettle back on to make sure the water is bubbling and a boiling to dissolve coffee.

Then I'm ready to go after the coffee, taking into account hereby, that anything I needed to take with me was also placed ready to go.

In fact now you've reminded me, I am going to start doing this as each day I promise myself that before I start sitting around I'll at least get out of the house, but as I work from home and am under pressure to get stuff done, I mean I really have to deliver on time, I end up only popping out in the evening to grab a few bits of shopping and it makes me feel even worse, as at present I'm so unhappy with the situation, but we all need money and so I cannot just give up what I built.

So now I'm going to get off here and go out, the work I'm doing we agreed to a deadline which they did'nt keep and I mean I have not even had all of the documents yet and the deadline was that I'd have had to return the lot within 3 weeks, but I agreed to do the job becuse it is to do with a wider scheme of things, namely developmental aid, in a worldwide setting, however it's turned into more work than I've ever had and I'm still not done. I also am not sure about the clients as they are very highly educated ans trained experts in their fields with contacts going from New York to France, all of their contributors are ministers and leaders in the field, so I feel a bit daft working for what is peanuts now, if, I say if, the fact happens yo be that they themselves do earn plenty of money, I don't know but this is the last time I'm doing this for them. Either they provide substantiation about how they are seated in these projects, or I charge the going rates. It's hard to get into a job if you feel you may be stuck in a process of rip-offery. Aside from this though,this project is swallowing up my entire summer, I'm not done yet.

I think I'm going to do an unofficial strike today a bit, and think of me first, as my daughter and grandson went off to Spain with the rest of the family and I was sat here on my Tod for that time, but I find it very hard to work out where I'd like to go, as the tourism stuff is something I hate.

I know someone who just went off to Cyprus, I looked into it, but I mean, it's not swimming distance to Syria but it's not far, and if those violent nuts there are going to be using chemical weapons on their own people or if those stockpiles happen to get blown up, I think I'd rather be in Spain.

Then personally, feelings, etc, I'm not in great shape, but all of the inactivity is cracking me up, as I can actually move, and, I know if I keep this up I'm actually making myself ill.

Further in this world, I do not have a single person that understands the way I'm feeling, so I know I will need to break out, in my head I can hear that Freddy Mercury chap now singing that song whilst doing the hoovering.

So part of my own heavy feeling in the morning comes from having a couple of beers of an evening and the rest comes from being slightly overweight but the way I feel is that overweight with COPD is really something to be free of, I'm sure if I lose some weight I'll feel far better than I do.

[valm in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi Val, I also find mornings difficut and I think the hot weather contributes to this. I think TJohn gives really good advice though, about preparing as much as possible whilst feeling a bit perkier, perhaps in the evenings. I know on the days I work I always check my work bag is packed the day before, put up a packed lunch to take with me, lay out my clothes etc. Hopefully, once the preparations are for your actual return to work this will help with the motivation. Also, the PR should help as you get further into it, as I always find that I work best during and just after the PR course (done 3).

TJohn, "stuck in a process of rip-offery" - not a nice place to be but what a lovely phrase!

[valm in reply to Hidden]

Been to PR this afternoon not as good today I was quite breathless just after the warm up As you say organise a head Val x and thank you

[Hidden in reply to valm]

To be honest Val there are many a time I go to exercise feeling tired but I always found that in making the effort I always managed to carry on exercising. When breathing is more difficult I take salbutamol about 15 - 20 mins before exercise it helps to do that I find..

[Hidden]

Hi Val

I am afraid I dont' have that much advice for you. I used to find mornings difficult before i was daignosed but now they are ok (I am up at 6am), but I blame those pesky steroids. I struggle more at weekends but I have a feeling thats because I dont' have ny real motivation to do much. However come 4pm and I am about falling off my chair tired. it usually passes but I'm in bed by about 9:30 on an evening.

Sorry it doesn't hlep much with your predicament.

marie

x

[valm in reply to Hidden]

Steroids play havoc with you at the best of time Val x

[Hidden]

i'm in the same boat Val - very tired in the morning ( some days within an hour of getting up i have fallen asleep on the sofa!) - come evening time i only just have enough energy to get myself to bed!

Its a vicious circle - want to go for a walk - too tired - a walk would help give me a little energy!

just can't win!

[valm in reply to Hidden]

I am knackered now ha ha in fact been knackered all day ha ha x

[Hidden in reply to valm]

I am trying VERY hard not to lay down and have 40 winks - just seem to be feeling more tired tho!!!!

Apparently Mal asked me if i saw somthing this morning and i answered him with a snore !!!

[valm in reply to Hidden]

Ha ha x

[poply]

i all this has made me feel better as i thought i was not trying hard enough i find also tired after afew hours and ready for bed by 9pm. can t do much during day but try to do small tasks. i am 16hrs on oxygen then portable when activie glad i joined bls find it helpfull and comforting as not many poeple understand copd cheers

[valm in reply to poply]

I am on oxygen 24 hrs 6L ambulatory Monday I was fine Tue Wed Thur could go back to bed Val x

[valm]

Thanks Gordon hate that wishy washy feeling going to get myself some vitamins and give those a try ha ha Val x

[valm]

Hope not stitch got enough problems x

[libbygood]

I feel very tired after breakfast sometimes - not always. I have been this week but OK today, I do have night tremmors and bad dreams which disturb my sleep and I'm always awake at 4-30 am. so ready for a kip about 8 am. sometimes I blame the weather but then I'm always blaming the weather for everything that goes wrong. I think boredom makes me tired and depression can as well especially first thing. Are you sleeping well at night

Libby

[valm in reply to libbygood]

I do have the odd night when I don't sleep well these are few and far between, going to try some vitamins to see if they help thanks Val x

[Hidden]

Hi Val I have been feeling the same of late, I think this weather chopping and changing affects me. I slept late this morning and had no energy to hurry so I just took my time, had a late breakfast, washed dressed and got my trainers ready for a session at a local exercise class I go to, felt tired even as I arrived and mustered enough energy to do the 30 min session, then a slow walk to car and back home. Still feeling tired but happy I made the effort. I do have sleep apnoea but I go untreated, my case is mild enough that I don't fall asleep during the day as long as I don't put my feet up, soon as I do that I am out like a light. Sometimes I find vegetable juice helps perk me up, I have my own juicer but you can buy V8 and Beetit (beetroot juice) I find can be very helpful in giving that extra boost to the body on occasion. Another thing I find helpful but I don't always have it in is Lidl's Vitafit, multivit tropical fruit juice. Pity I didn't remember all that this morning when I got up lol

[valm in reply to Hidden]

Ha ha thanks for that zoee x

[Hidden]

Hi all, I seem to be the opposite way round - struggle to keep my eyes open after around 9 or 10pm, so it's bed by 10.30 - but wide awake once daylight creeps through the crack in the curtains. Usually hold off from getting up until 6 or 7am though. I am useless breathing wise then even though I still have my 02 on and usually bump it up from the 2litres to 3.5. My Symbicort makes a noticeable difference, so I take it before I even put the kettle on and by the time I finish breakfast I am much improved. I should take it while still in bed really, it would make more sense. The one fly in the ointment is that I sometimes get the odd night where I just don't sleep at all. This is all recent really, after years of terrible sleep I finally cracked it when I went on overnight 02. As for daytime tiredness, that hits me more in the winter. Now I am out in the fresh air more I am wide awake.

[valm in reply to Hidden]

Thanks P didn't do well at PR today either different physio pushed too hard at the warm up ended up really out of breath he didn't seem very interested either.

Never mind back on Monday they tend to do the same type of exercises seem to let people do what they want but I am still a bit unsure. He said the aim is to get out of breath moderately not severe?

Val x

[Hidden in reply to valm]

Yes, that is the aim. You should be able to tell you have done some exercise, or it is pointless really, so you should feel a little out of breath. But gasping for air is never good so pace yourself. Have they asked you to do the exercises at home? We were asked to repeat them at home on at least three days a week. That way, you really benefit rather than feeling that you are starting all over again at each session. Keep going Val, it is worth it in the end!

[valm in reply to Hidden]

Hi no they haven't asked me to do them at home, I can do some though so will make a start thank you x

[Hidden in reply to valm]

I think with the exercising it's necessary for you to do it entirely according to your own sensitivities, like how you feel, I mean, you cannot ever let anyone make you rush, I'd take it really slowly. And the warming up can be too much, yes, that's what I mean, do a warming up before the warming up.

I have something with my leg cords or whatever they are called, hamstrings, anyway, sometimes they've kind of snapped on me, as when a person gets older or doesn't exercise they need stretching slowly, so if trying to jump over a fence, like I did a few years back (before I had COPD),the fast action can cause the stretch to near-on break the string at the back o'f the legs, from knee to ankle, and so, I did that and when it happened it felt like someone had thrown a stone at me or shot me.

Not that I know how it feels to be shot, thank heavens. In fact, I'm terrified of those hamstrings going as I don't know something as painful, so I've taught myself not to stretch as I wake up, because then the legs have been pretty still and the strings needs gentle stretching, and certainly not all in one go, as they are leathery.

I used to wake up and stretch my feet in a strange way, like even before having my eyes open, still asleep actually, so as I was waking, and I'd pull a string and be in absolute agony, and if it does go too far, like for real, then I can't walk for a week. So the exercises below, are what I do when I remember to make sure I don't pull my string when waking up in the morning.

My leg swelled up to the size of a tree trunk / elephant's leg and I was laid out 4 weeks unable to move.

From that experience, I'd say, just before you sleep do some mini exercises like revolving your feet, making circling motions or shaped with your toes, so that the whole foot moves, left, around and around a few times, and then back the other way, one foot, then the other, in the morning your legs will feel better through that little bit of action they got before sleep, you can do this with your hands too.

Val, I'll write out a deep relaxation exercise too soon, such things are very simple, but help get our cognitive function harmonised, because no matter how ill, the mind id the most powerful instrument and can thus do a lot to compensate, it can give a person extra strength, I've been using such exercises and a trifle of simple meditation and positive affirmations for years, especially when in great times of need, then a combination of these things allowed me to centre my self, and come to myself and feel like I am me, or feel the real me, without all of the outside world commotion.

It's like exercising (deep relaxation) to separate that (the outside world's neurotic leanings/ pressures), so that you can find some peace.

In fact, the power of the 3 things I just mentioned, gave me some of the most powerful, if not physical healing, mental and spiritual healing.

Feeling strong within the mind and soul is a tool too, I know it is for sure. I will write those things out a little bit, it's basically saying to yourself, I relax my feet, I relax my legs, in fact you go right from toes to head and back if you like, but just by saying it, it does happen,not relax as in, get tired, but get relief and calmness. Which is a benefit if tired you see.

Vitamins especially D, I heard, but I don't know if anyone knows about how garlic is a blood purifier too, if you get some garlic tablets, natural ones, they might be a benefit and as I write this, I think yes, for me too, just like Gordon with his taking the walk idea above.

AuntMary, thanks, yes I thought that was a good ome that popped out too!

Sounds less harsh than ''rip off'' doesn't it

[valm in reply to Hidden]

Thank you x

[dinnyrayner]

Hi Val , I think i have mentioned it before somewhere on this site but i too had years of feeling too tired to get out of the chair at times and falling asleep after every meal , sometimes till the next one also waking up in the night thinking i had dreamt of being strangled but having the physical symptoms too , heart racing and gasping for breath , very very scarey , Turned out to be mild !!!! sleep apnoea . I now have a BIPAP at night and no overnight oxygen , i sleep mostly 8 hrs a night and wake up feeling that i have slept .i used to sleep through the night about 10 times a year before the Bipap, when tested my sats were dropping to 60 odd % at times during the night so i would say it is worth getting a test . I know it's another thing to juggle but i get great relief from mine and i am so happy to have it rather feeling like a zombie all day ( i am now only half a zombie ) , it isn't good for everyone , i have a friend who cannot tolerate it , he finds the mask a bit claustrophobic . I hope you find a solution Val , good wishes xxxx Dinny xxxx

[valm in reply to dinnyrayner]

Your sats were very low, glad you got it sorted will mention it the 02 nurse see her on the 14th many thanks Val

[smokless]

my lungs need a few hours to get used to being upright , and I really have to pace myself or I just end up feeling like I'm dieing . what fun we all have just getting round what our body gives us to deal with ,I dont make morning appointments if I can help it .My sister also had COPD and changed her hours at work so she would go in a bit later work her lunch break and work a bit later that worked well as her missed the traffic as well .

[valm in reply to smokless]

Thanks