How can I minimize Tiredness during the day because diagnosed nocturnal episodes?

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alice123

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"Edit Title" I meant to say undiagnosed. I am on no medication yet. Awaiting tests for what ever is disturbing my sleep.

I want to know how I can get the most out of my day.

I volunteer for half a day in a shop and I often find myself loosing concentration due to the tiredness/headaches I get from having nocturnal episodes.

Doctors don't have much to go on at the moment. I have to wait to have a sleep deprived EEG and scan but In the mean time is there anything I can do?

I could not sleep last night. I went to bed early and I've had hardly any sleep. Sometimes going to bed early does work.

Maybe I should try to eat healthier. (which is difficult when your always home alone). Should I reduce Tea and diet coke.

I have a interview on sunday for a 12 hour job and I have my fingers crossed. I need to be able to work better than when I'm volunteering if I get the job.

Any Ideas?
 
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This is just my opinion. I would quit coke and tea. They are both stimulants. I can't drink any caffeinated products after 4 cause I won't sleep. I also got a prescription for Lorazepam 1 mg. It has helped me tremendously.
Good luck on the interview.
M
 
I agree about quitting the tea and diet coke as they are stimulants. But I wouldn't recommend Lorazepam (Ativan) on a regular basis either as it is a benzo and can be habit forming.

Try meditating or going for a walk/exercising when you're not doing volunteer work. Perhaps that could help you relax so you can get a good night's sleep.
 
Healthy eating makes a difference as well, in particular reducing sugar intake. Make sure to get exercise, despite being tired, but avoid exercising about 4 hours before bedtime. Google "foods that induce sleep" and see what pops up. Try not drinking anything after dinner, so you are not having to use the bathroom at night. Take the computer, smartphone, tv, and anything else like that out of the bedroom and make your bedroom geared toward sleep only. Leisure reading materials are generally okay, as reading in bed induces sleep for a lot of people.
 
It never hurts to take a good look at your diet to see if what you eat (and when you eat it) could be tweaked to give you more energy during the day and better sleep at night. Avoid foods that will rev you up and let you crash (like sugars and caffeine and processed foods). Don't skip meals or eat heavily late in the day. Try to get lots of fresh veggies and high-protein whole grains in your diet. Drink plenty of water. Consider taking a vitamin supplement (B vitamins are good for the brain and can help with energy as well if you're slightly deficient). A magnesium supplement after-dinner or before bed might help improve your sleep.

Good luck! I hope the interview goes well tomorrow.
 
Thankyou, I will look into my diet but its difficult because I get depressed and lonely sometimes and buy chocolate(not good, as I want to loose weight). I used to go to the gym before I got so exhausted but now I can only manage to walk the dog. Its going to be a long time before I can go back to the gym!

It's difficult to stop drinking Tea but I will stop drinking it in the evening. I will look into the vitamins etc.

I just got back from Cancer Research shop. Going to be hard for me to take the laptop away this evening. I'll turn it off at 8 and watch Casualty on TV. Need to buy something to read at night thats not so addictive I force myself to stay up!!!

In the UK you need a prescription for Lorazepam and I am not sure the doctor would recommend it if I have not found out whats wrong yet. And I am not up to going to the doctor again just yet. I will ask them next time if theres anything that can help before I get test results.
 
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alice123 said:
Thankyou, I will look into my diet but its difficult because I get depressed and lonely sometimes and buy chocolate(not good, as I want to loose weight). I used to go to the gym before I got so exhausted but now I can only manage to walk the dog. Its going to be a long time before I can go back to the gym!
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I live alone, too, and I have to carefully watch my diet because in addition to epilepsy, I also have Type 1 Diabetes. I also suffer from depression, so I do find the time to either walk or do some kind of activity. Not only does it help curb your appetite, it helps with the depression, too. It fires the endorphins in the brain, therefore you will feel better. And you will feel energized.


alice123 said:
In the UK you need a prescription for Lorazepam and I am not sure the doctor would recommend it if I have not found out whats wrong yet.And I am not up to going to the doctor again just yet. I will ask them next time if theres anything that can help before I get test results.
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One needs a prescription for Lorazepam here in the U.S., too. Usually it is prescribed for people with E as a back-up med or in an emergency situation.
 
Cint said:
I live alone, too, and I have to carefully watch my diet because in addition to epilepsy, I also have Type 1 Diabetes. I also suffer from depression, so I do find the time to either walk or do some kind of activity. Not only does it help curb your appetite, it helps with the depression, too. It fires the endorphins in the brain, therefore you will feel better. And you will feel energized.



One needs a prescription for Lorazepam here in the U.S., too. Usually it is prescribed for people with E as a back-up med or in an emergency situation.
Click to expand...

So I could ask if this is an option in the mean time? however if the medication it is addictive and may increase depression? its not a good Idea!

I probably wont see them for a month/ two months for further testing which sucks because now I've started I want to find out what I've been ignoring. I cannot believe I have managed to cope with this much tiredness for so long. It really shows what a boring life I have and the fact I can adapt to 0 energy because I have no job/social life.

They are probably as confused as I am because I gave them nothing to go on except headaches/tiredness etc

I am so tired plus depressed its hard to stop myself sitting all day on my laptop. I do aim to walk the dog for 20 minutes if i'm not volunteering for 4 hours like today. And search for jobs.

Its easy for me to volunteer, I just sit at the till and wait for customers. Sometimes do some tidying rails. but do sometimes loose concentration on the till which would make me look too slow in a real job.

Its the worst when I have to do morning shifts so luckily most are afternoon. I like to sleep till atleast 9am and even when I sleep in I feel tired all day.

I need to get out talking to people which is why I like volunteering and want a job with people. I don't have enough physical energy to work/walk with animals (my Foundation degree). It does not stop me over eating but keeps me busier than I would be at home.
 
master jen beat me to it, and find a best friend or a partner or just someone to hang out with
 
Read up on some articles on good sleep hygiene (most have been covered here).

Sticking to getting up at a set time, only going to bed when tired, only using your bedroom for sleeping and adult fun time activities *ahem*, cut out caffeine, naps, body is temple type foods.

Q
 
Thankyou everyone. I hope I can hold on to as little energy I have this afternoon! Its 12.30 and I have an interview at 5pm that could last till 7!

Don't know whether I should just get up! (I know I'm up so late) and get on with things. I think If I have a nap it might make things worse. Hmmm

I will look into the information because it would really benefit me especially if I have half a days work in the future.
 
Not sure how it went, lots of people there. I mucked up the interview task a bit just have to wait now! Going to buy some b vitamin today
 
I suggest a good diet and as much solid sleep as you can get. B vitamins are good, but I chose to get them via energy drink. :D I wouldn't suggest that. ;)
 
I bought some B vitamins. I recieved a letter saying my next appointment is in febuary. They said 2 months time Grrrr!!! my sleep is awful ahhh, how can I wait that long!

If the tests are before February I wouldnt mind! I guess I should try looking at my diet in the mean time but it really wont help.
 
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