This Sounds Whiney, but I DON'T FEEL GOOD!

Any chance you have missed out on normal caffeine intake today or yesterday? I have only had a caffeine withdrawal once... and it was because I wasn't a regular coffee drinker EVER.. until after my kids were born I started having a cup in the morning since my husband drinks it. Well... little did I realize that I had gotten used to that little bit of caffeine every day.. one day I was busy and forgot... next day... I was SO sick. Not just a headache, but nausea too... it was awful. You can get addicted to caffeine in sodas just as easily... you don't have to be a coffee drinker.

Just a thought...

sounds like you need a nap. My spirits are down when I don't get enough sleep. Take a nap with the baby. Even just 20 minutes naptime can revive you. Then go for a pleasant walk outdoors with the kids. Sunshine and fresh air helps you feel better too. AF

Could you be experiencing the Baby Blues? Never had them myself but couldn't they affect you emotionally as well as physically?

Sounds like you might be coming down with a virus, like cold or flu...

Just take it easy, drink plent of fluids and try to delegate where you can.

Some ginger water might help too.

Take some fresh ginger and slice it. Simmer it in water for about 15 minutes. Drink hot or pour over ice.

Another refresher I like to make:

Take your favorite green tea and steep it in some hot ginger water that you have just made.

Slice some limes (crossways so they are little round medalions) and toss over some ice in a pitcher.

Strain the tea/ginger water over the limes and lice. You know have a nice refreshing ice tea that is gently energizing and good for you.

Yes, you do sound stressed and fatigued. Your immune system needs a boost. Start tonight with a good night's sleep. Get yourself ready for bed with your kids, then as soon as they're down, drop everything and go to sleep yourself. Your body and mind REALLY need it and you will thank yourself tomorrow. Homeopathic stuff really works for me, so when I'm feeling stressed out, I take a couple of sprays of Rescue Remedy (which you can find in Vitamin Shoppe or other stores like that). Daily Vitamin D3 supplements, along with DHA and Vitamin B Complex supplements help me with energy, too. And 5-htp really helps me get my minor anxiety under control. A lot of people think that stuff is hokey and doesn't work, but for me, when I drop off my regimen, I feel fatigued, droopy, basically off, like you're feeling now. When I'm on it, I feel strong and healthy and happy. Oh, yeah, and exercise always gives me more energy, even just a couple of trips up and down the stairs at a fast pace a few times a day. I hope you feel better soon!

Just a thought... but nothing pumps my veins better like some goooood music. Find a song you really like, and if you have a stereo or any kind of music listening device with good speakers, go for it.

I usually pick something out that gives me "the bumps," and loose myself in the music. I like a lot of rockbands from the 80's, even bands from the 70s (eventhough I grew up in the 90s), there's just something about an electric guitar and good drums. Examples are: police, eagles, scorpions, van halen, kiss, just to name a few. May not be your style, but you asked for an opinion. Hope you feel better.

I have felt just the same way lately- bad headaches, nausea, fatigue, etc. and I went to the doctor yesterday and I have sinusitus (sinus infection). I didn't suspect it because my nose wasn't stuffed up or runny, but my head was killing me and I just felt run down and awful. 2nd day of antibiotics and I'm starting to feel better! I hope you find out what's causing yours, and feel better soon so you can enjoy summer!

gee, three kids. cant imagine why you would feel stressed.
ice cream is the answer, more to the point, ice cream you dont share
you have to be self indulgent somehow and ice cream is the way to go.
then, once you finish eating as much ice cream as you can stand,sit back, survey the damage, and then get up and tackle the next project at hand.
K. h.
i gotta go, my little night owl is howling

You are not being whiney, you are being overworked and exhausted. Just another part of mommahood! But you do need to take some time for you. I know it's hard to do but you have to take care of you or you can't take care of "them". I laugh as I type this because I am so bad about doing this. But now 36 weeks pregnant with #3, I've gotten better at it because like you I don't feel good!

When I need some quick me time I go to starbucks and then take my drink and go get a pedicure. I tell the person working on me that I don't want to talk and I want the "deluxe" pedi. Then I sit there and relax. If I have all day I include a manicure and a hair cut at my fav salon. Okay that's rare but it has happened!

A nap would be good too, but for me, getting out of the house ALONE does wonders.
Go do whatever helps you relax.

Stress can trigger a lot of physical issues. Money, overworking (mom's are the most guilty of that!), keeping up household stuff, trying to give your kids quality time, not sleeping with new baby schedule, and feeling guilty that you are not being everything to everybody! Whew!! That's the worse! Give yourself a break to wind down and have time for yourself. It just has to fit in your day somewhere! Just like your baby needs his diaper changed, you need a daily moment to yourself. Go get yourself checked out. My daughter has 4 young children, home schools, runs them around all day long, takes them to their regular doctor appointments but has put off seeing her own doctor for a nagging rash she has had on her face for months!!! I keep bugging her to go see a doctor. You need to take care of yourself first before you are good to anybody else. By the way, I know some families in Virginia who have au pairs and it makes a huge difference in their lives. I know a bit about it - let me know if you want to know more about it. It really frees families up and gives moms the extra pair of hands they need.

I'm willing to bet that you need some sleep -- like one night 8 -- 10 hours, no interruptions, no waking up wondering if the baby is crying, etc. Can you get someone to take over the baby and the other kids for a weekend night and just sleep until you wake up on your own?

Could be post partum, could be poor eating/sleeping habits. Could be a bunch of things, but you may want to start with a trip to your doc and lay it all out. Maybe just a virus (even adults can get Mono - without kissing around!!). We could speculate all over but you need to go talk to your doc and seek advise there.

Good luck.....
J.

I've been there. So sorry you are feeling this way. If I could, I'd take a nap after having a cup of calming tea. I bet you are fatigued. Sleep helps everyone feel better. I normally don't have time for a nap, so nice warm tea usually calms me down and gets me in a happy spot.

Feel better.

You have gotten many great suggestions. From nutrition to taking physical time out. I'd also suggest making sure that you are well hydrated. Especially in this heat. See if you can set up a trade with another mom to come watch your kids while you take the mom time that you need. You are way overwhelmed, and your body is letting you know to slow down. Homeopathic ocillococcinum would help with the symptoms that you described. I'd also suggest seeing an acupuncturist to get yourself back into balance.
Hope this helps,
L. M

R.,

This sounds a lot like I felt the few weeks after I gave birth to our daughter. I was subsequently diagnosed with postpartum depression WITH anxiety. I could not concentrate, my body ached despite a perfectly normal vag delivery, and the aching started a few weeks after the birth not right away. I felt shaky sometimes, nauseated (despite never having had morning sickness), got headaches that bordered on migraines but were not, and just was off - not myself at all. Occasionally I thought I was feeling better but when I look back I was just slightly less bad. I was not "depressed" in the sense of not being able to get out of bed, not talking with people, etc. That's why it was missed the first time I went to a doc. The next week when I saw my regular OB/GYN for my 6 week appt she diagnosed me immediately - since she knew how I normally was and what I was describing sounded to her not normal at all. She sent me out of the office with a Rx and a referral to a therapist.

Medication and some therapy has done wonders. The medication seemed to take a good effect within 48 hours initially and got better from there. I am on Zoloft, and have never taken any antidepressants before in my life. It seems to be doing the trick and my daughter is now a few months old and life is good! I am even able to hold it together better than I was before I was pregnant with tons of stress (new baby, husband recently laid off unexpectedly, working full time, etc.)

Hope this helps and good luck - it's never a nice thing to feel so not yourself. Feel free to jot me a note to talk if you like.

J

Have you had a physical lately, complete with bloodwork done? Not sure how far post-partum you are, but you could have a vitamin deficiency....I felt this way recently (6 mo post-partum, still nursing, no period yet) and it turned out I was low in iron and Vit D. Started taking them and feel SO much better....

I drink spark...our naturally energy drink that us moms call Mommy Juice it has lots of vitamins and mineral along with mental focus helps get through my day with my 2 year old son! its the best! if u want to check it out www.oneadvocare.com... if u live in the Torrance area or near I can drop off a sample too

Saw you got some good answers, but just skimmed them. I tried doing everything I could think of and everything suggested to me and nothing helped. Turned out it was my thyroid. I had to go to two Dr's to get one who was able to diagnose it. (The first Dr. said I just ate too much and unhealthy stuff-completely wrong, but he wouldn't listen when I would tell him what I was eating-told me I just forgot about all the junk I ate-ha!) Now I take a tiny pill every day and it has made a world of difference. I also switched to organic vitamins and that made a big difference too. Hope you find something that helps you!

My guess is that your symptoms are stress related. Have you tried meditation, yoga, or some other stress relief? It is important to take time for you so that you can be effective as a parent, a spouse, and a worker. Look into different methods and find something that works for you. A glass of wine could do the job too but will only mask the problem.

Have you tried avoiding wheat and gluten type products? After my son was born, I was getting overly fatigued, no energy and either constipated or diahretic. I finally found a doctor - a gastronologist - who finally was able to do some of the same tests as the other two drs and a few others and found out that I was allergic to most of the grains - similar to celiac. You can try this type of a diet for 2-3 weeks and if you start feeling better it could be a sign that you have that type of allergy. You can buy these foods at some of the Giants, Safeways, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Wegmans and Healthway Food. If this doesn't help then you will know that it is something else.

Any chance your hubby can stay with the kids for a day, and you go out and spend a day at a spa? Or just a really good massage. Or go shopping and have lunch with a friend. I love going shopping at a nice shopping village with my daughters, who are grown, and I don't even have to buy anything. If this has been going on for a long time, maybe you need a counselor. As someone else suggested, it may be the baby blues.

For me it's exercise. If I don't keep myself on a regular exercise schedule I feel pretty crappy! Try something new to get your blood pumping, yoga is especially good for me. You get the physical aspect and the mental stimulation and relaxtion. Good look, I wish you the best.

A long warm bath using lots of Epsom salt (2 cups). You can add a scent if you want to or not. It relaxes my muscles and I seem to sleep a little deeper afterward. You've got to give yourself some re-charging time otherwise you are going to run yourself down.

Thyroid, postpartum, vitamins, water, exercise/yoga, eat well, sleep, pampering, and alone time. I agree with all! See a GOOD doctor for the first two (and make sure they check T3 and T4 on the thyroid, not just TSH), and see if, after doing all the other things (esp vitamins, sleep and eating right), a low dose of something like Lexapro might be in order. Get GOOD vitamins (like Shaklee). No whining, just work on one thing at a time. Breathe. Get some girlfriend time in. Retail therapy is highly recommended! God bless!