I've been a little tired lately. That is perhaps the greatest understatement ever made on my blog. (And I've been known to exaggerate upon occasion.) I have been grossly exhausted. To the point that I was getting ten or more hours of sleep a night, still taking naps, and when I was awake I felt like I was under water trying to move through my day. On top of that I felt like my heart was racing all the time - a constant bounding heartbeat.
So naturally, I thought I was going to die.
Then I slapped myself across my face, pulled myself together, and got focused. I did what any other sane person would do. I turned to Google for answers. One suggestion that came up was that I might be anemic (low on iron). Light bulb. I don't know why I didn't think of this. (It was probably the lack of red blood cells carrying oxygen to my brain.)
I've had trouble with iron ever since high school. The first time I ran into it was my junior or senior year. I had been highly fatigued for at least six months and I remember begging my mother to take me to the doctor to see what was wrong. She finally did. (Although, looking back, I admire her restraint because I can't imagine how snide I probably would have been. Oh, you're a teenager and you're tired are you? Don't say! I just can't imagine! Let me alert the media! A tired teenager!) Anyway, he immediately put me on iron. I was pretty much right as rain within a week.
The first year Brian and I were married a different doctor caught my low iron levels in a blood test and again, I went on iron. But I worry about having too much iron since it builds up in your system - so I always end up going off of it eventually. Evidently it'd been a little too long. So, I'm back on the sweet, sweet, iron. Within two days my heartbeat was back to normal (the rapid heartbeat is caused by not having enough red blood cells to carry oxygen so the heart has to work extra hard - sorry heart!) and my energy levels have been steadily improving. I've crawled out of the bed, off the couch, and out from under my blankies and I'm ready to meet the world again.
In related news: I have discovered Melatonin! Melatonin is a hormone that helps control circadian rhythms. It's a simple supplement that can be purchased in the vitamin section. I think we all know I have sleep issues. I have been taking it for a few weeks and it may all be in my head - but I'm going to sleep at normal times and waking up at normal times. I may be able to live my life like a normal person!! I never thought it could be possible. I think all along I've had a dysfunctional circadian rhythm. I don't know how long I'll take it, because I don't want to turn into that crazy supplement-taking-38-pills-a-day-lady. But right now, it feels nice to function like the rest of humanity.
So, my blood's all pumped up with iron and I'm sleeping normally. Who knows what's next!
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