The past couple of weeks, my energy levels have been absolutely flat. A full 8-10 hours of sleep at night and afternoon naps are not helping at all. My smart watch tells me that my stress levels are constantly high, day and night, and that sitting watching TV recharges me more than sleep does.
I know it's a constant question with BI as to whether symptoms we experience are from our injury or the medication we're on. I'm on antidepressants for the usual reason, but to add to the fun, I'm also menopausal. So pesky hormone changes are also a possible cause.
Has anyone else found themselves unable to recharge with sleep, and did you find the reason?
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PurpleOverlord
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Hi Purple, this is early days, you'll get sick of hearing that. The brain takes much longer to recover than we expect. Most antidepressants we get used to after about a month. I always worry about smart watches, they have their purpose when used for monitoring particular aspects of health, but most make assumptions based on the average Joe. Rarely are we the average Joe, so maybe consider only using it for specific reasons, sleep, step count. Stress is subjective, and a watch telling you your stressed will stress anyone. 🍀
Hello Purple, I think that still being tired after a decent amount of sleep is is just about my key definition of brain injury fatigue. It's good you're getting sleep though, because that tends to goes out the window for me when I'm over-tired. Perfectly understandable depression can make you feel tired and unable to get moving - but that side of things is probably being helped by your antidepressants. If one afternoon nap isn't cutting it, either perhaps try a morning one as well - or even micronaps / brain breaks for 10 -15 mins every hour to see if that gives you a bit more energy in-between?
The other thing is to try and find things you can do without draining your battery too much - I found things like doing my nails and blow drying my hair were surprisingly very neutral on energy expenditure, while giving that all too necessary feeling of achieving something - but I guess that would be different for everyone.
Oh I feel your pain, after my tbi I suffered this for 4 years. I was referred to the Chronic Fatigue Service who asked for a sleep test via the respiratory dept. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and now use a cpap machine. I was being nudged awake by my brain on average every 4 minutes because I had stopped breathing! If you snore, which I started to after my accident, definitely ask for a sleep test via your GP. Xx
Unrefreshed sleep is a constant one with me and part of the pre brain illness of chronic fatigue syndrome.I regularly sleep 12 hours and still find that I am exhausted - particularly if I have stopped doing so much exercise or am due my monthly b12 injection.
Sadly not much else to do about it other than increasing my exercise, telling myself that I have "slept" and getting my b12 jab regularly.
Thanks for all the replies folks. Don't worry about me 'relying' on my smart watch, the numbers are just vague interest, I don't take any of them too seriously. I don't think I snore or have sleep apnoea, though I'll check what my husband says about that (he snores, I've slept with earplugs for a couple of years now!). I'm fairly new to this forum so don't know how/if folks chat about sex, but, well, a 'grownup cuddle' last night seems to have helped, I feel much better today!
I am vegetarian (wannabe vegan) and know B12 can be an issue for us. Thanks for the advice on that one @moo196, I'll chat to my GP about B12 levels next time I check in for a medication refill.
Hiya, maybe this will work for u like it has for so many others. By the seems of it, to me U are sleeping way to much.
I don't believe it is the same for people who have acquired a brain / head injury to the average person. 8 hours is too much. Mine was a head injury from an accident not a brain injury per say, so it might not work, but certainly worth giving a go...........
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Have a look at my posts & you'll learn all about the infamous 20 minute nap - it really did change my life, cos without it I would have been walkin around like a brain dead zombie for the last 20 years.
Hope this works for u too, but it has to be done as I say to do it, cos just having a nap is completely different
Good luck & please let me know how u get on (even if U do try it & it doesn't work, cheers ;o)
I'd suggest seeing someone who can monitor your hormone levels or prescribe based on your symptoms - some pharmacists with make recommendations based on these.
Progesterone, for example, is key to sleep.
There is an idea called 'state centred learning' and since your pour brain is trying to heal in a changing hormonal landscape, some stability might not go amiss.
Doctors are often reluctant and this can sometimes be overcome by saying 'my pharmacist suggested this'. Or, if you have the option, check with a naturopath for confirmation.
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