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extreme fatigue

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Posted 10/22/2014 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all.

I'm wondering if anyone else gets bouts of extreme fatigue that they attribute to being bipolar? For the last couple weeks, I sleep 9 hours a night, get my oldest kid off to school and then am out of energy and cat nap for the next 4 or 5 hours. When I get up from that, I feel good, like its morning, but then I'm tired and ready for bed within 4 hours. Its awful, I can't get anything done and just feel like I should be wrapped in a blanket sleeping or laying down at all times.

I don't feel depressed, except about the fact that I'm so debilitated. I don't think it's my psych meds, because they haven't changed. I did add a migraine pill twice daily (Diamox) so it could maybe be that? or I just wonder if struggling with Bipolar without everyone knowing is catching up to me.

Anyone else get this?
Thanks!
Posted 10/22/2014 8:22 AM (GMT 0)
yep. bi-polar is an exhausting condition in it's own right and can be fully energizing as well. depending on ya cycle. my constant fatigue i have just found out seems like it is iron deficiency and because of (osas). obstructive sleep aponea syndrome. thus always get a check up from ya dr. with a big welcome and healing thoughts i send to you.
Posted 10/22/2014 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Fatigue - You bet! I had been to a host of specialists trying to diagnose a source of my fatigue... by diagnosis of exclusion - all that left is the mental health.
Posted 10/23/2014 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the feedback! It's helpful to know its not uncommon. I'm thinking I'll start planning some "dead" time into each day so I can rest without feeling guilty. The laundry and dishes won't go anywhere... ;)
Posted 10/23/2014 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
i am going tru the same stage now. so tired all the time . its just part of the cycle
Posted 10/27/2014 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
At the bottom of my cycle I ever went into a 12hr sleep and refuse to get off my bed. being awake depressed me even more knowing it wasn't going to get better that day. When I gets into that mood which I felt it coming , I know anyone would irritate the hell out me and triggers more aggression. not sure about you, but that's when I need my dog most, who can take my impact readily without reacting and most of all without prejudices or judgement. you need to understand what can tide you through such stages which are inevitable. Frankly , I realised no human can go through such stages with me.
Posted 7/8/2015 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Audrianna,

I have definitely gone through this stage of bipolar recently. I was getting 10 hours of sleep a night (10pm-8am) and getting up and going to work and feeling tired all day. It was affecting my work but I only told my Dr and my fiance about it as I did not want my coworkers to know. Luckily I was not working on a huge project at the time or I don't know how I would have gotten it done.

I was taking Zyprexa at the time and have since come off of it. I also added Latuda to my medications and am feeling less depressed. I am getting 8 hours of sleep a night, still feeling tired, but I am hoping this will soon pass. Even though your medications did not change they can have a different effect on you over time. The Zyprexa was not healthy for me and I tried to get my dr to take me off of it for the past year and she finally did 1 week ago. Working on the side effects now (harder to sleep) but that was part of the point in getting rid of it, getting back to a normal sleep schedule.

Bipolar definitely causes fatigue and even though you are not feeling depressed it is an emotionally draining illness speaking from experience. I hope you are feeling better as this is quite an old post but I just joined and related to your post.

Best,
Chris
Posted 7/8/2015 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Chris,

Welcome to the forum :-)!

I'm glad to hear you are doing okay now after than difficult stage. I hope the side effects will lessen soon.

I hope to learn more about you.

Take Care

UA
Posted 10/9/2015 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
I am also experiencing this same difficulty with my bipolar II disorder! I pray we both get better and move to a better place in our lives! All the best!
Posted 10/17/2015 10:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Audrianna,

Yes fatigue is very common for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Before I used to have full 8 hours of sleep but it has no effect on my energy whatsoever, I still felt tired. At first I thought it was caused by my depression and anti-depressants but my clinician told me that it's natural for bipolar patients to feel this way because of episodes of hyperactivity, eventually will take toll on the body. What i find helpful back then was to constantly drink juices or liquids filled with many vitamins. Constant re-hydration is essential. I hope this helps you my friend.
Posted 12/12/2015 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
I am so glad that you posted this! I thought it was painkillers for my back causing the issue.

I haven't seen a psych yet as I'm waiting for my apt and my GP is the one who believes I'm BP.

Oh thank you!
❤️ K
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