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Saaishen's avatar

How can I gain my energy back?

Asked by Saaishen (40points) August 1st, 2011

I have been drained of energy for a long time due to certain events in my life.For starters there are some physical issues like I have anemia (not enough red cells in my blood,witch causes fatigue and wish to sleep more often).Also there is th
overpowering feeling of exhaustion after sport or dance (also feeling that I will do something that will cause injury)
I need to eat something that very second because I am shaky and unstable and I feel like every cell in my body scrims for food.Also my weight is always few kilos under what it should be.
There is also issue about unstable family that have worn me out through years with abusive behavior.Not physically but
emotionally, in few words I can never feel at ease when I am at home.I am aware that it would be for the best to move out and that will be done in a few months.
I am NOT looking for some mystic technique from east, just food recommendations or activities that can gradually help me gain my health again.
Thank you!

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9 Answers

woodcutter's avatar

Do you take iron supplements? I think that has some effect on anemia.

woodcutter's avatar

You may be depressed. That will drag you down.

plethora's avatar

I am not a physician, so I just speak from a lifetime of experience. If there is a medical condition such as anemia, then it needs medical attention.

If you are feeling shaky and unstable after exercise, perhaps you have widely fluctuating blood/sugar…again, a medical issue.

“There is also issue about unstable family that have worn me out through years with abusive behavior.Not physically but emotionally,” You might look here as the most likely underlying source of your physical condition. Abusive behavior from family members is VERY debilitating. Get out just as soon as you possibly can.

wordsmythe's avatar

It does sound like blood sugar issues. Look up some suggestions for hypoglycemia online (not hyperglycemia which is diabetes, but hypo)

You sound like you’re still under your family’s roof- is there a possibility of finding a counselor to help you through this?

downtide's avatar

“I need to eat something that very second because I am shaky and unstable and I feel like every cell in my body scrims for food.Also my weight is always few kilos under what it should be.”

I have a tendency towards low blood sugar, and the symptoms are exactly this. First you need to see a doctor to find out the underlying cause, which may be treatable. In the meantime, the symptoms can be managed like this:

Don’t skip meals, ever. Even if you don’t feel hungry at the time, eat at least something. Especially don’t ever skip breakfast. Eat within an hour of getting up. If you can’t stomach it, have a small snack then eat a larger breakfast a little later.

Eat complex carbs (bread, rice, pasta) an hour before exercise and drink a pint/half a liter of fruit juice right before you start. This will ensure you have enough sugars in your blood to get you through the exercise.

Eat smaller meals and snack inbetween them. Don’t snack on high-sugar foods: see below.

Follow the Glycemic Index. Don’t eat foods that are high (unless you are actually in the middle of a sugar crash and need sugars urgently).

In the last couple of years I’ve gained about seven to ten kilos, mainly by exercising less, and the symptoms stopped when I was no longer underweight.

Nullo's avatar

The classic villainous source of energy typically involves the souls of the innocent, or something equally horrid.
I’d suggest starting with your anemia and seeing how things look after that.

RealEyesRealizeRealLies's avatar

Mushrooms mushrooms mushrooms! Packed with vitamin D it’s like eating sunshine!

Do it!

JLeslie's avatar

Assuming you do not have a genetic disease which inhibits the absorption of iron, take more than you are. Low iron is incredibly obvious in our bodies. I take several supplements because I am dificient, but none of them create an obvious noticeable change like when my iron gets into normal ranges. I take minimum 2 slowfe’s a day (Slowfe is an over the counter iron cupplement, I only take the brand not the generic) the iron is absorbed best on an empty stomach, orange juice is good with it also because vitamin c and the acid helps it absorb. But, some people feel queasy if they take iron alone. Iron brings oxygen to the muscle, and your muscles are working with less. The other vitamins to check are vitamin D and B12. Do not assume your doctor checked those many don’t.

Additionally, you must make sure your doctor checked your thyroid. At minimum did a TSH blood test (thyroid stimulating hormone). My muscles tire incredibly fast, and I am left weak and shaky, and my thyroid affects it a lot, besides the iron. If your TSH is over 4 it could explain some of your symptoms. The labs normal range is up to 5.5 most likely, but most endocrinologists feel above 4 is a slow thyroid. When mine is 5 I need 10 hours of sleep, I get a charlie horse in my bicep just from holding my phone for a few minutes to my ear. If I garden for an hour my hands are so shaky I can barely hold a glass, but then I recover within an hour and am steady again. It affects every muscle in my body. If I do my zumba full force, I feel like my legs might buckle beneath me afterwards. When my TSH is between 2–3 many of my symptoms are significantly better, the difference is drastic.

Other symptoms for slow thyroid are dry skin, dry eyes, hair falling out excessively, dry hair, needing more sleep, slow heart rate, high blood pressure, spacy or dizzy feeling. You may not have all symptoms.

Also, a fast thyroid, which would be your TSH is low, can also cause the muscle problems. Symptoms would be trouble sleeping or needing less sleep (but you still might get tired during the day) dry eyes, dry skin, dry hair and hair falling out, fast heart rate, pounding heart, abnormal blood pressure, spacey or dizzy feeling.

Do not assume your doctor checked your TSH, also regular GP’s will not necessarily treat or mention if your TSH was 5 since it falls in the labs normals range, but that is high. There has been discussion among the powers at be that the nornal range should be changed. Several years ago the vitamin D range was changed.

Hope you feel better.

Cruiser's avatar

I’d take a close look at your diet. My wife changed over night when she switched to the blood based diet and eliminated certain foods from her diet. Eat whole foods and cut out all sugars and white anything and that should jump start your energy levels.

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