LymeNet Flash: fatigue and child care

This is topic fatigue and child care in forum General Support at LymeNet Flash.

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https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/3/12333

Posted by first free (Member # 7140) on :

About 5 years ago I was on here non stop. I was diagnosed w/ lyme, m.s., hypothyroidism and fybro. Durning this time I came down with many infections~ and the pain was baaaad. Now my worse symtoms are constant-non-sto fatigue. I'm a stay at home mom who can't do her stay at home job. Life revoles around how can I get my next minute of sleep and/or rest. I've been on all the anti-fatigue drugs-nothing helps. Okay all thi whining is because I have 2 young boys (9 and 6) and theyr'e getting the raw end of the deal. I am SO SICK OF BEING SICK AND TIRED AND DEPRESSED. Anti-depressants aren't helping either. Hey what a nice way to come back to the flash. Sorry~just needed to vent. Thanks

Posted by mlkeen (Member # 1260) on :

Everyting is worse when you are tired. I feel badly too that my kids lost me for several years.

Eliminate all outside "shoulds" and do only what you must. Like, do school activities with kids, skip PTA.

Your kids are old enough to help out some. Explain to them as gently as possible that you are working on getting well and you need their help folding laundry, throwing the paper plates away, whatever they can help with.

Sleep while they are at school.

As well as I'm feeling now, I fall asleep often on the couch. My son comes over and covers me. It's the little things that let me know I'm doing a good job with him.

Today will be a better day.

Mel

Posted by first free (Member # 7140) on :

Thanks Mel. I'm just frustated and feeling sorry for myself. I sleep all day and all night (restless of course)- and basically my husband does everything. Thanks again. Jackie

Posted by JillF (Member # 5553) on :

I am also a stay at home mom with a toddler.

Boy, he does have some energy.

You just have to take it one day at a time.

Posted by DJP (Member # 5893) on :

Fatigue is my biggest complaint. I'm glad to hear you say that your life revolves around when to get rest.

I've been feeling so guilty because I'm preoccupied most of the time thinking about how to get to sit or lay down.

I have a 3 year old and a one year old and rest seems impossible and I hate being so tired and crabby all the time.

Lately, I decided to try not laying down and just keep moving. Not sure it's a good idea though because I'm so drained by the end of the day and seem to get more aches and pains and then I'm more exhausted (if that's possible) the next day.

I'm trying to figure out if there is some kind of natural supplement that would help.

Posted by DJP (Member # 5893) on :

first free,
Check out this link that I posted last week in the medical section. I didn't check the email box so I just saw the responses today.
There are some suggestions for the fatigue -
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/032943.html

Posted by first free (Member # 7140) on :

Thanks for the feedback. ~jackie

Posted by first free (Member # 7140) on :

DJP~ just checked out the link-thanks so much.~j

Posted by Linda LD (Member # 6663) on :

DJP,

I had a sleep test and got a C-PAP machine. It really helped me. Also take a bunch of pain meds before you go to sleep so you can get some REM. I don't think you are getting any REM and that is why you are tired.

Get a sleep test and find out what is going on when you are sleeping. That is a good place to start!

God bless,
Linda

Posted by Paisley (Member # 6502) on :

Firstfree,

Sorry to hear about your health problems and associated fatique. For me right now that is the worst. I'm so tired, I can' stand this life, lost so many of my friends, don't want to do anything, can't get out of bed, etc.

I have a 10 and 5 year old boys and I feel and though I am jipping them. I sleep all day long. Yesterday I slept 24 hours. My older child even said I am tired of you sleeping 24/7. They are both home sick today (they have lyme too) so these days are especially grueling because my bed keeps calling me.

I want to come up with answers. At first we thought we might hire someone to sit after school ,to be like a big sister. Too expensive considering we are pooring all of our money into our treatments and travel to llmds.

I know I wasn't much help here because I am so tired and bit on the stupid side.

Come back though. Maybe we can think of something for our kids.

regards
paisley

Posted by sarabear (Member # 6530) on :

I know the feeling! I have a VERY energetic toddler, and I am 5 months pregnant. Not the easiest thing to cope with. I just try to set up as many activities as I can, with supervision, so that I can at least sit down while my son plays.

Do you have a sand and water table for your kids? Any other crafty things that will keep them engaged while you rest? As long as you tell them you love them often, and take a few designated short periods out to spend one-on-one time reading a book or talking with them they will be just fine. Try not to worry too much, although I know how you feel.