I know that some of you have trouble sleeping with MAV. However, I have to say that since I got ill I have less difficulty sleeping because I am so very tired from this illness. However, no matter how much sleep I get, I am still exhausted when I get up. This has nothing to do with pregnancy, as I experienced this from day 1 of my illness. This isn’t the normal tiredness that you experience when you first get up. It is simply overwhelming. It is a type of sleepiness that I never even knew existed before becoming ill. Do others feel this way? Does migraine in and of itself causes tiredness or does the constant compensation that we do tired us out? I’m sure there is no answer. just wondering…
Hi I have just joined so forgive me for asking inane questions. I take it you’re pregnant - is this your first pregnancy. Don’t underestimate how tired you can become.
Having said that tiredness is a massive symptom for me - sheer exhaustion and I would frequently take naps during the day. My consultant neuro-otologist said that I must avoid napping as it makes the condition worse but have a proper routine of regular meals 3 times a day and no snacking and proper night time sleep. He was quite insistant actually. However, I find this difficult, as I am frequently woken by my 4 year old and have to go to the loo at night anyway.
I was also told to take my meds (nortriptyline) at night cos they cause drowsiness. Hope this is of some help.
— Begin quote from “MAVLisa”
I know that some of you have trouble sleeping with MAV. However, I have to say that since I got ill I have less difficulty sleeping because I am so very tired from this illness. However, no matter how much sleep I get, I am still exhausted when I get up. This has nothing to do with pregnancy, as I experienced this from day 1 of my illness. This isn’t the normal tiredness that you experience when you first get up. It is simply overwhelming. It is a type of sleepiness that I never even knew existed before becoming ill. Do others feel this way? Does migraine in and of itself causes tiredness or does the constant compensation that we do tired us out? I’m sure there is no answer. just wondering…
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Lisa,
I usually sleep well for about four hours and then wake up. I can relate to being tired especially today. But most days it always hits me around 3 in the afternoon and I have to fight to not nap.
Now I can tell you that I was probably more exhausted when I was pregnant than any other time in my life and I did not have this illness at the time.
My tiredness is a lot worse today since I have a headache , ice on the back of neck, massaging my neck, want to sleep…and the cycle continues today.
I too think that our mental state can make the tiredness worse as anxiety and depression from this disease takes a toll not only on the mind but on our bodies. And I think when a sense of where does this all end sets in…we are in a vicious cycle that our bodies just can not break.
So sorry you are having such a rough time…everyone deserves a break.
Radhika - welcome to the forum. Yes, I am about 17 weeks along, and this is my first. I actually was tired from day 1 of this illness. I think I am going to try Nortriptyline again after the baby is born. I had tried it, but only got up to 20mg before switching to another med. I know that I had to go higher for it to help. what dose are you on? I never take naps, no matter how tired.
Timeless - I know that depression and pregnancy can lead to tiredness, but I have been this overwhelmingly exhausted from day 1 (before I was depressed from this illness). Yes, we are definitely in a vicious cycle, which I believe for me medication is needed to break it. That being said, I do believe that hopelessness, depression, and anxiety, probably contributes to this horrible cycle. But, it is so impossible not to experience these emotions. I’m so sorry you are having such a tough time.
Hey Lisa,
Yes, I too am tired all the time. Even if I get a night’s rest, I never wake up refreshed. I used to be a super high energy person and now that is far from the case. I really think just feeling “sick” 24/7 knocks you out. Our bodies just never feel right and that has to take a toll on our energy level.
Lisa
I agree, Lisa. It was just interesting how tired I was the day I got this illness. I NEVER nap, and the day after I got ill my husband and I were driving to Philly, and I just couldn’t keep my eyes opened (I wasn’t driving at the time). That was before I was yet depressed over this illness. I was just confused at first, and concerned about what was going on.
Btw - are you still going on the treadmill? I’ve been pushing myself to do that (walking slowly), and today after about 15 minutes I had an episode of true vertigo on the treadmill. I don’t get spinning vertigo very often at all. Do you ever experience that? I don’t want it to stop me from going on the treadmill in the future. I know it is good to move my legs around, as I am sedentary the rest of the day. I am so much more dizzy after I walk, but I think it is worth it for my overall health.
Lisa, have you had your thyroid tested recently? A lot of pregant woman can develop thyroid problems. I personally know that being hypothyroid can make me exhausted. I also have come to believe that my MAV is definitely correlated to my thyroid hormone levels (when my thyroid medication dosage is off, my MAV gets really bad).
cassada - Thanks so much for your response. But, I had all testing done before pregnancy and everything is ok. But, the fatigue all began June 2007 when I got MAV, unrelated to pregnancy.
Hey Lisa,
Ugh… sorry to hear about the vertigo episode on the treadmill. Yes, I still do some walking on it daily… fortunately I have never had vertigo while on it. I am very dizzy while walking and it probably makes the dysequilibrium a bit worse after. But, I forge ahead and “torture” myself in the hopes that one day it will feel a little better. Movement in general is uncomfortable, but faster walking on the treadmill feels easier than normal walking around the house. I am also way more sedentary than I ever was in my life so it at least make me feel like I haven’t lost all of me to this illness.
Feel well…
Lisa
isn’t it strange. walking on the treadmill for me feels MUCH better than just walking around the house. guess there is less stimuli - we are just walking in the same space. Again, it still feels like “torture,” but everything is relative these days. I am going to try to keep it up.
— Begin quote from “MAVNY”
Hey Lisa,
Ugh… sorry to hear about the vertigo episode on the treadmill. Yes, I still do some walking on it daily… fortunately I have never had vertigo while on it. I am very dizzy while walking and it probably makes the dysequilibrium a bit worse after. But, I forge ahead and “torture” myself in the hopes that one day it will feel a little better. Movement in general is uncomfortable, but faster walking on the treadmill feels easier than normal walking around the house. I am also way more sedentary than I ever was in my life so it at least make me feel like I haven’t lost all of me to this illness.
Feel well…
Lisa
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Do you know when you are going to add another med to your regiment or will that be after you reach the therapeutic dose on your current medication.
— Begin quote from “MAVLisa”
isn’t it strange. walking on the treadmill for me feels MUCH better than just walking around the house. guess there is less stimuli - we are just walking in the same space. Again, it still feels like “torture,” but everything is relative these days. I am going to try to keep it up.
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Lisa
I am beginning to wonder what is relative anymore? One day it seems I am better then the next wham…bless your heart for not having a break in your cycle for so long . This just seems so unsettling especially this week for me. And i know yours has been that way for sometime.
I try to make it to the gym every day though I’ve been failing miserably this week.
And what’s this I’m reading? I shouldn’t be takign naps? OMG! It’s ben my escape, my relief. My body ‘demands’ to be horizontal. Makes it worse though?
Hi Timeless,
Right now I am still working with my doc to titrate my current med and keep going until I have side effects. The process is very slow as my doc is very cautious and wants to give each new dose a full 4 weeks. At that point, once I reach a therapeutic level, if I do not have my life back, then we will add another med to the mix. I am currently on 100 mg of verapamil and will add another 20 mg in 1.5 weeks.
Lisa
— Begin quote from “MAVNY”
Hi Timeless,
Right now I am still working with my doc to titrate my current med and keep going until I have side effects. The process is very slow as my doc is very cautious and wants to give each new dose a full 4 weeks. At that point, once I reach a therapeutic level, if I do not have my life back, then we will add another med to the mix. I am currently on 100 mg of verapamil and will add another 20 mg in 1.5 weeks.
Lisa
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Have you seen any difference at all?
A bit… I will report more once I reach 120 mg for a bit and share more of my experience. I am far from functional, still suffering 24/7, but there have certainly been subtle changes that keep me from giving up on this med just yet. I am still at much too low of a dose to make any statements about the true efficacy of verapamil for me.
Thanks for asking.
lisa
Migraines are known to leave a person exhausted afterwards. Also, any type of vestibular dysfunction is also known to cause exhaustion. Add the two up and the potential to be always exhausted is there. I know I am just like Lisa states, tired from the moment I wake up, until I go to bed.