POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: WildcatCC on November 18, 2009, 02:57:21 pm
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Generally feel great given my last year roller-coaster ride. In the best shape I've been, eating right, staying focused and positive -every pun untended.
But I notice that I get the afternoon blues or, more precisely, the blahs. I get tired. I have such high energy in the mornings, I usually eat a low fat healthy lunch but by 2 pm or so I start to drag.
I get up and go do rounds in the hospital or take a walk outside but I feel lethargic. It lasts till about 5:30 when I get home, get re-energized my dogs, I take my Atripla then go off to the gym or play tennis. I perk up quite nicely still I fall into bed around 9:30 into a deep deep sleep for 8 + hours.
I see my ID doc in a few weeks (formally for an appointment - I see her almost every day in the building) and will discuss with her. But I was wondering if this may be Atripla-related. Anyone else get this way in the afternoons?
Off to Starbucks in the lobby ... thanks for your responses in advance.
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I get those blahs too, but mine aren't as severe. I do get pretty tired around 7:00 pm. What's different about my situation is that I take my Atripla early in the morning and also take Adderall (for ADHD), which seems to help my energy level quite a bit. I think Adderall should accompany every prescription of Atripla. ;)
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I get those blahs too, but mine aren't as severe. I do get pretty tired around 7:00 pm. What's different about my situation is that I take my Atripla early in the morning and also take Adderall (for ADHD), which seems to help my energy level quite a bit. I think Adderall should accompany every prescription of Atripla. ;)
How the hell one can get tired with all of that prescription-only meth you take is beyond me, sweetheart.
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How the hell one can get tired with all of that prescription-only meth you take is beyond me, sweetheart.
It's simple, really. I don't do it all at once. It has to last all month, you know. Don't be hatin' on me!
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Starbucks seems to help. But I can't shake the feeling that it's something systematic. Definitely a topic of conversation with my doc next month.
Oh and Miss Philly - I can not stop staring at that blow up doll! :o
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Please let us know if your doctor can help with the blah's . I have seen a dozen docs about my come and go fatigue issue without much luck . Androgel has helped me some ... at least I have prettier titties than I used to .
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Hi, I've had sleep "questions" for some time now and was thinking of starting my own discussion on the topic. I certainly have a similar situation to yours: in fact I just woke up from a post-prandial nap myself and if I don't take a nap I yawn from noon to about three o'clock.
Basically, I think it's natural for our body to go through this cycle. First, after lunch--however healthy--(and I will interject here that I do not think that "low-fat" and "healthy" are synonyms and that if your diet is too low-fat you may not be giving yourself the energy you need) our bodies are working to digest and don't have much energy to spare for anything else. Second, it is natural to go through cycles throughout the day. I've never known a dog or a cat who did not take periodic naps!
There's a reason why some version of the afternoon nap is an institution in traditional cultures all over the world. In China virtually everyone is alseep from twelve to one--construction workers are sleeping on the side of the road, students are sleeping in classrooms. When the government tried to stop this habit in the name of "productivity" there was a wave of accidents that boiled down to half-asleep people operating machinery and they gave up the attempt. We all know about the siesta, although it seems to fading in Spain, or at least in the Spanish cities I visited.
So the main thing, I think, is that this isn't a sign that you, or I, or anyone else who feels this is having a problem! On the contrary, our bodies are simply behaving according to nature and tradition. That's the main thing--if we do not accept this we run the risk of hurting ourselves by trying to 'fix' a problem that isn't a problem.
The question is whether your schedule permits an afternoon nap. If not, at least accept that your "blahs" are not abnormal or a sign of something bad.
You mention Starbucks: just as there is never an action without an equal and opposite reaction, we cannot give our bodies the adrenal surge of caffeine and then be surprised when our bodies react later on by becoming overtired. I love tea and chocolate, but am currently taking a "holiday" from both as I think that it is a very good idea to give our bodies a periodic break from all that stimulus.
MSG, of which we are almost certain to be getting a lot if we eat any processed or packaged foods at all, is a known soporific.
Finally, giving up sugar, if you use any, is one of the best energy boosters we can give ourselves.
Good luck!
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Generally feel great given my last year roller-coaster ride. In the best shape I've been, eating right, staying focused and positive -every pun untended.
But I notice that I get the afternoon blues or, more precisely, the blahs. I get tired. I have such high energy in the mornings, I usually eat a low fat healthy lunch but by 2 pm or so I start to drag.
I get up and go do rounds in the hospital or take a walk outside but I feel lethargic. It lasts till about 5:30 when I get home, get re-energized my dogs, I take my Atripla then go off to the gym or play tennis. I perk up quite nicely still I fall into bed around 9:30 into a deep deep sleep for 8 + hours.
I see my ID doc in a few weeks (formally for an appointment - I see her almost every day in the building) and will discuss with her. But I was wondering if this may be Atripla-related. Anyone else get this way in the afternoons?
Off to Starbucks in the lobby ... thanks for your responses in advance.
I know that every year around this time, I start to get seasonal depression, which also makes me fel constantly tired. During the summer I come home and work on various projects and stay up until midnight, but from now until spring, I come home and take at least an hour nap and I'm going to bed earlier, and I'm having a harder time waking up. I see by your profile that you are in Florida, so you probably don't have the climate changes we have here in the midwest, but it might be a possibility. When I'm not seeing as much sunshine, I get depressed and feel "blah" too.
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Generally feel great given my last year roller-coaster ride. In the best shape I've been, eating right, staying focused and positive -every pun untended.
But I notice that I get the afternoon blues or, more precisely, the blahs. I get tired. I have such high energy in the mornings, I usually eat a low fat healthy lunch but by 2 pm or so I start to drag.
I get up and go do rounds in the hospital or take a walk outside but I feel lethargic. It lasts till about 5:30 when I get home, get re-energized my dogs, I take my Atripla then go off to the gym or play tennis. I perk up quite nicely still I fall into bed around 9:30 into a deep deep sleep for 8 + hours.
I see my ID doc in a few weeks (formally for an appointment - I see her almost every day in the building) and will discuss with her. But I was wondering if this may be Atripla-related. Anyone else get this way in the afternoons?
Off to Starbucks in the lobby ... thanks for your responses in advance.
Have you checked your testostorone levels as many hiv pos have low levels which can affect energy endurance levels. i am tired mid afternoons and find a half hour nap helps but also tested last week for low testosterone so seeing the doc and hopefully that might be the reason.
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An afternoon nap would be ideal. I do that on the weekends - even if it's for 45 mins or an hour. I do wake refreshed. We have relaxation rooms throughout the organization. Never thought to try one for me.
My testosterone level is low and have been taking shots every other week. I've seen some improvement in my levels. Androgel was not a winner for me.
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Generally feel great given my last year roller-coaster ride. In the best shape I've been, eating right, staying focused and positive -every pun untended.
But I notice that I get the afternoon blues or, more precisely, the blahs. I get tired. I have such high energy in the mornings, I usually eat a low fat healthy lunch but by 2 pm or so I start to drag.
I get up and go do rounds in the hospital or take a walk outside but I feel lethargic. It lasts till about 5:30 when I get home, get re-energized my dogs, I take my Atripla then go off to the gym or play tennis. I perk up quite nicely still I fall into bed around 9:30 into a deep deep sleep for 8 + hours.
I see my ID doc in a few weeks (formally for an appointment - I see her almost every day in the building) and will discuss with her. But I was wondering if this may be Atripla-related. Anyone else get this way in the afternoons?
Off to Starbucks in the lobby ... thanks for your responses in advance.
It's interesting I get afternoon "blahs" too. They hit at around 3pm, and get bad at around 5 or so. I think what it might be is when we live our lives in a routine, everyday we lose energy.
In my opinion what helps me feel slightly better is to change the daily schedule around. Ever since I stopped drinking coffee and energy drinks my Energy Level has remained more constant! Does that make sense? Caffeine makes you crash so we might not get those "Consistent" Energy feels, because of the crash.
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Yes, that's just what I was trying to say about caffeine above. Years ago I had a colleague who always looked like he was about to collapse from exhaustion. Pale face, dark circles under his eyes...one day he said: "I don't understand it. I'm always drinking coffee and yet I'm still always tired!" It really didn't occur to him that in that case the assumption behind that sentence should be rethought.
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It's simple, really. I don't do it all at once. It has to last all month, you know. Don't be hatin' on me!
I'll trade you two Codeines and an Atripla for one of your Adderalls ;)
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Generally feel great given my last year roller-coaster ride. In the best shape I've been, eating right, staying focused and positive -every pun untended.
But I notice that I get the afternoon blues or, more precisely, the blahs. I get tired. I have such high energy in the mornings, I usually eat a low fat healthy lunch but by 2 pm or so I start to drag.
I get up and go do rounds in the hospital or take a walk outside but I feel lethargic. It lasts till about 5:30 when I get home, get re-energized my dogs, I take my Atripla then go off to the gym or play tennis. I perk up quite nicely still I fall into bed around 9:30 into a deep deep sleep for 8 + hours.
I see my ID doc in a few weeks (formally for an appointment - I see her almost every day in the building) and will discuss with her. But I was wondering if this may be Atripla-related. Anyone else get this way in the afternoons?
Off to Starbucks in the lobby ... thanks for your responses in advance.
I take Atripla but I don't get afternoon blahs because my blah lasts all day :-\
Coffee does help a bit. I hope your Starbucks helps.
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My chief nursing officer just stopped in with Starbucks AND peanut m and m's. I'd kiss her on the lips if I could (but I'd have to disclose first (?). Ha!
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Hi wildcat ... You wrote that you were not a fan of androgel . May I ask why ?
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A few reasons.
1. The application of the gel. There's a certain % of it that just doesn't get on the skin. And what I'm paying for it - forget it!
2. The cost. Even with a fairly decent insurance plan, I'm paying close to $250 a month for 30 doses.
3. The comparables. I seem to get more bang for my buck with the shots every other week.
4. Minimal results. My Test levels didn't raise much with it's usage over 45 days. The shots - after 6 sessions - increased my Test
level to "normal" range.
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Thanks wildcat . I have heard some say they are not a fan of androgel but never asked why .
I have been on it so long I guess it still works for me or my doctor would have said something .
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I'll trade you two Codeines and an Atripla for one of your Adderalls ;)
I would, but codeine is SO 1990's! Besides, I've got a few already plus a month and a half's worth of Atripla. I might be persuaded to work out a trade in other ways, though... ;)
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I would, but codeine is SO 1990's! Besides, I've got a few already plus a month and a half's worth of Atripla. I might be persuaded to work out a trade in other ways, though... ;)
whoa, slow down tiger :D
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I have been on Trizivir for 5 years and Sustiva for 11 and was always feeling dread in the morning because my Trizivir ruined a couple of hours each day. Now, I am on Atripla (2 weeks), feel guilty about not taking my morning does but I no longer have a morning dose to take. I take the Atrpla at bed time. I think I may be sleeping more now but why not make up for a decade of lost sleep ;D Have the best day
Michael