So tired...

[Camp1997]

I’m 21, and exhausted I work 8 hour days (somehow) and even while doing tasks I find I close my eyes for too long sometimes..... when I get home I need to nap, although I need to be doing school work(university through computer learning). I’m falling behind and even if I go to bed earlier it doesn’t seem to help the next day. I also hate coffee!! Any one have any suggestions to keep me going through the day?

**Edit: I always sleep over 8 hours at least, and usually sleep all throughout the night; no waking up. I have a Fitbit and have worn it lots and it doesn’t show that I’m restless hardly at all..

[Legomum]

Monitor how you are sleeping at night. A Fitbit can help. Are you getting enough of each stage of sleep? Investing in solid night’s rest will make a difference the next day. Some people snore or have sleep apnoea or are woken by others in the house or the temp/ light or pain so look at all this first before looking at other ways to stay awake in the day (eg caffeine...best avoided!). Regular exercise even gentle things like yoga can also help

[Legomum]

Is your Behcet’s under control or do you have ulcers at the mo? They presented some research at the London Behcet’s Centre of Excellence patient day on fatigue in patients. Dr Amal Senusi, Prof Fortune and Prof Stanford looked at patients’ symptoms and found fatigue was worse in those with joint problems (arthropathy) and some blood markers were associated with this. 66% of the Behcet’s patients in the research had poor quality sleep. The other key thing was to check diet and if any deficiency as correcting anaemia or vitamin deficiency can make a big difference. Also ruling out psychological factors such as low mood or anxiety that can be treated to then improve fatigue.

[Camp1997 in reply to Legomum]

No ulcers at the moment put very sore joints. That’s really good information!! Thank you!

[gillianTS in reply to Camp1997]

I agree with the joint issues although I also have Ehlers Danlos too (joint hypermobility) which does not help with both and sleep.

I too wear a fitbit daily and can honestly say it helps but it also tells lies too I decided to put it to the test and put pen and paper next to my bed and quickly jotted the time when I woke not the length of time and not all of this was recorded by the fit bit... I would also suggest you observe your heart rate with your fitbit how erratic is this during your sleep, what rate is it in comparison to your day time, when I am in pain my heart rate it higher and much more up and down. If I drink alcohol my heart rate increases and my sleep and heart rate are very erratic.

Another thing I have incorporated into my night time regime is wearing soft spongy ear plugs, my hearing is acute and for years I woke at the slightest sound I then tried ear plugs because I was staying in a busy hotel in the centre of Malaga and I was amazed how my quality of sleep improved, it did nothing for the length of time I slept because of joints but it did stop the added waking through noise.

Started trying CBD balm on my worst joints, my ankles, about a week ago and this has helped with tendon sheath swelling and pain.

Do you think you might be mentally exhausted with both work and studying its a lot to do when your body is not feeling great. I know you say you sleep but find time to simply clear your mind and relax even if you do end up falling asleep

Take care, Gillian

[Camp1997 in reply to gillianTS]

Thank you for the tips!! I would say I am definitely stressed, I will try to fit in more time for relaxing. ☺️

[gillianTS in reply to Camp1997]

Keep us posted on how you get on its hard battling through this on your own, having the forum here helps bounce ideas off.

Take care and really hope you can get on top of how you are feeling really soon and don't be too hard on yourself

[2106]

If you haven’t been tested for vitamin D deficiency I would ask your doctor to do a blood test. This made me feel lethargic and as it got worse aches and then pain. Now take a vitamin D tablet which I have on prescription every day. Feel so much better. Also I take a flax/linseed capsule vegetarian every day this helps with my inflammation. You should keep a diary of everything you eat and drink, when you sleep you might find a pattern. Also any other symptoms. Hope this helps. Xx

[swanseakev]

Hi Camp 1997

I was same as 2106 mentioned low vitamin D and calcium defficent i looked very ill to my friends and family and was absolutely exhausted , started on daily meds for the deficiency (Alfacalcidol) and it did make a difference

Good luck

Kev