Saw the doc yesterday about my tiredness..

[spoiltmom 44]

I have hypothyroidism. My last labs were done 8 weeks ago and they actually showed I was on too MUCH Synthroid. I also have sleep Apnea.

She said it could be that my thyroid meds are now too low, or it could be that my sleep apnea is getting worse. She doesn't really think it's my sleep apnea though she said it should get better now and not worse.

She did labs yesterday to check my Thyroid levels, blood count, Iron and B12. Those should be back today. If they are all good then she will do an overnight Oximetry study which basically will show what my O2 levels are doing while I'm sleeping. If they aren't good then I'll do another sleep study.

In the meantime- I had a hysterectomy in September. They left my ovaries but my Ob/Gyn said they still could shut down for a while. So are there any female hormones that would make me feel so tired/sleepy all the time?

She also gave me some Nuvigil. It's supposed to help give you energy and wake you up. She said if all tests are negative than I should just try the Nuvigil and see what it does.

Any thoughts/advice?

They should call back today about my labs. I'm sort of hoping it is my Thyroid or my Iron, or my B12 or a combo of it all. I'm hoping it's not my sleep apnea at all.

[bayareanan 24]

I take Provigil, which was created before Nuvigil but is the same class of drugs. I take in on work days because I have trouble staying awake in the morning. It has done some good, but hasnt solved the problem. I can definately tell when I am not on it though.

I have heard that it is also prescribed for tiredness and depression.

[Cherbourg 0]

Vitamin D deficiency can also be a problem. My endocrinologist checks this level regularly when my thyroid levels are done.

[WrenBird 11]

Vitamin D deficiency can also be a problem. My endocrinologist checks this level regularly when my thyroid levels are done.

I had a Vitamin D deficiency and it was horrible. My joints and muscles ached all the time, I was tired all the time and didn't want to get out of bed.

I started taking Vitamin D tablets and exercised daily (regardless of how sore I was) and it's gotten so much better.

[Phranp 46]

I too am on Nuvigil and, as you said Bayareanan, it does some good but has not solved the problem. I have been tired and not feeling well all week. Also, today I forgot to take it before leaving for work and didn't have any in my purse so I am crazy tired and grumpy too. Ugghhh!

Hope you get to the bottom of your problem soon Spoiltmom.

[spoiltmom 44]

Hmmmm, well my blood work was all completely normal so if it's not related to my sleep apnea then her only advice is to take the Nuvigil daily:( My B12, Iron and TSH were all great. She doesn't really think it is related to my sleep apnea though.

I see my bariatric surgeon Tuesday so I'll ask him about it. I'm getting discouraged:(

[spoiltmom 44]

One more quick question:

Even though my labs where good do you think it still might help to add in a good B-12 supplement? I'll ask my bariatric doc Tuesday but the only problem with asking him is of course his bariatric counselor tries to sell you her products specifically. I have no idea what brand of Vitamins they even carry.

[Humming Bird 275]

I took the provigil for a few months in 2006 before I no longer had health insurance. It worked great, but was way too expensive without insurance so I had to stop taking it. I took it for CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) that is associated with FMS (fibromyalgia).

Can the Nuvigil be crushed or made in a liquid or sublingual form?

[spoiltmom 44]

It's not a big pill. It's pretty easy to swallow. I'm just concerned about taking it daily b/c of the effects on your heart and the fact that it is a controlled substance.

It's $20 a month on my insurance.

[Phranp 46]

It's not a big pill. It's pretty easy to swallow. I'm just concerned about taking it daily b/c of the effects on your heart and the fact that it is a controlled substance.

It's $20 a month on my insurance.

It's interesting that you should say that it is a controlled substance. When my doc prescribed Nuvigil he told me that it was NOT addictive, but, after doing a little research I read again and again that is IS addictive. I really don't like taking Nuvigil for that reason. I did not even know about how it effects the heart. But, at this time I need it, at least until I can figure out why I am so exhausted. sleeping at work is NOT acceptable. Thanks for the info.

My co-pay is also $20.

[BetsyB 9]

May I make a suggestion? My surgeon recommends CoQ-10 (in Vitamin aisle) perioperatively, and likes when his patients stay on indefinitely. He sees a real difference in energy level in those of us who do.

I've taken it consistently since a few months before banding, and it really has helped. It's antioxidant, and research shows it has a ton of cardiac benefits, as well. (Many cardiologists recommend it to their patients.)

It's well worth a try.

As is Vitamin D. My PCP now routinely checks for Vitamin D deficiency, and recommends supplementation even to patients within normal limits. He also recommends daily sun exposure---during months when the sun is strong enough here, he likes me to spend 1/4 the length of time it takes me to burn (without sunscreen) in the sun daily. So when I take my morning walk, I do it with bare legs and arms. (I do wear sunscreen on my face.)

The rest of the year, I bump up my D supplementation. My husband requires prescription-strength D on a weekly basis.

[Cangel76 1]

Did they check your cortisol levels? If you are under a lot of stress your cortisol levels can drop and cause fatique. I had that happen just before surgery because my mom was in the ICU. So keep that in mind. Might be another test to do if they didn't already. I too have Hypothyroidism so know that is going to be an on going battle.

[SunD1 0]

I also take Provigil as I have CFS and I work shift work. I take weekly prescription Vitamin D, have been trying to excercise 4 days a week (so far so good) and I'm STILL tired & depressed. If it makes you feel better. . Provigil w/my insurance is $275.00 a month!! I only take it a couple times during the week. I wish you luck! Being tired is depressing. :thumbup:

[spoiltmom 44]

I also take Provigil as I have CFS and I work shift work. I take weekly prescription Vitamin D, have been trying to excercise 4 days a week (so far so good) and I'm STILL tired & depressed. If it makes you feel better. . Provigil w/my insurance is $275.00 a month!! I only take it a couple times during the week. I wish you luck! Being tired is depressing. :thumbup:

Good Lord! That price alone is depressing!

I've added B12 and D3 to my daily Vitamins and I am feeling a bit better day by day.