Why am I so sleepy?

Colleen87 · 08-05-2009, 05:23 AM

Hello, I am a thin cyster. 5'5 120 lbs. When I was younger I was always very thin, I got a somewhat period at 14 and it was never regular but I was told that was normal. They put me on bcp immediately and later on spironolactone for my acne. When I was 16ish they added metformin to the mix, because I had cysts on my ovaries. One was the size of a golfball and semi solid with fluid inside, whatever that means. When I became 20 I decided to go off the pill since I was no longer convered by insurance. So I was then told that I was infertile and would never have children naturally. There were wrong, because I had sex with my (at the time) boyfriend and got pregnant , only to miscarry less then a week later.

We were quite good with using protection until a night over a year later. We were no longer just boyfriend and girlfriend either

The end result was a baby, and we could not be any happier. During my pregnancy I developed gestational diabetes and horrid acne. Although since having him the acne has come back, with a couple big pimples at a time, lots of little ones and acne all under my chin (strange place for acne).

I carry most of my weight around my middle, and also have the dark skin patches. The Dr said I wasnt insulin resistant, but I did have high testosterone and andrenosomethingthatIdontremember. I also have super oily skin and hair.

I want to eat low carb but it is so hard, because I really like carbs. My Dr wont put me back on met right now because I am breastfeeding, and thats okay with me for the time being. My hugest issue is that I am always ALWAYS sleepy. I really need to know how to get over the sleepiness. I know it definetly started at puberty as before then I was always very alert and awake.

The rest of my life is progressing so well, we are even moving into a house and planning on buying one within the next year (we started in a basement, then an apartment, then a condo, now a house!). I just really need help on how not to be sleepy.

denverdani · 08-05-2009, 11:34 AM

Hi there! I am thin as well, and though I haven't been able to get AF and I still have cysts, I did manage to stop the fatigue with a low-GI diet. I didn't even realize how tired I had been until I wasn't tired anymore! It only took a week or so to really notice the results. For me it really helped that hubby was supportive and went on it with me. We eat a lot of salads and super-high-fiber breads and brown rice, etc. It's worth it, I promise!

Karibusmiles · 08-05-2009, 02:55 PM

I have always been thin and always had irregular periods. I'm also ALWAYS tired and lack in motivation frequently at work. It's bad in the morning and even worse in the afternoon. I think it's because our hormones are so whacked. I am also a very ilght sleeper, so I don't think that helps either. Since I started taking Met, I have slept a lot better/deeper. I also have noticed taking the prenatal vitamins has helped because of vitamin B. I would recommend taking a vitamin VERY high in B/B12. I've also taken 5 hour energy when I really need a boost. The only other thing that ever helped was when a friend let me try his adderal (sp?). It was like speed and I had non stop energy all day long. Good luck!

GovtProf · 08-07-2009, 11:09 AM

Developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy carries a 15 to 60 percent chance of developing Non-Insulin Dependent (Type II) after pregnancy within a 5 to 15 year period of time. I would suggest that you monitor your blood sugar (I assume you do that already?) very strictly since being tired/sleepy is one of the main symptoms of underlying diabetes and not knowing. Try to stay lo-carb and lo-gi that should help along with take in a b-12 supplement. Once you are done breast feeding it might be helpful to do the glucose tolerance test again and see where you are at before restarting the Met. Good luck and congrats on your baby

Colleen87 · 08-07-2009, 03:47 PM

My sugars are fine, my insulin was fine and my mom has gest diabetes, she never developed type 2 luckiliy

I just am...sleepy alot

Amber2 · 08-08-2009, 09:32 AM

If you are not having periods your tiredness may be down to oestrogen dominance as too much oestrogen can interfer with blood sugar metabolism (doesn't show on the fasting blood test) and thyroid function. I find that I get physically tired really easily too. I have found out that I am low on the iron levels too so I am taking some suppliments to increase iron stores. Have you asked you doctor for a ferritin iron blood test? The other option is to try some natural progesterone cream (NPC) to balance out your homones. Check out the Alternative Remedies board to see how other cysters are getting on with NPC.

mnstrpc · 08-09-2009, 04:00 PM

Congrats on your baby boy!

Other good suggestions from pp but in general I would probably ask your doc to do more blood work and explain the sleepiness. Could be iron, could be improved with low-GI diet or Met, could also be a thyroid issue. Being hypothyroid will cause fatigue as well.

Colleen87 · 08-12-2009, 05:25 AM

I guess I shouldve mentioned that I am on synthroid and my thyroid level and iron levels were just checked and fine. Did I mention I also have NO sex drive? Thats another issue alltogether.

I actually think I dont have enough estrogen.

pcoscurious · 08-13-2009, 04:52 PM

What do you do to fall asleep? Are there any herbs you can take beside just doing prescription drugs like Ambien?