How can a person be so darn tired, yet NEVER sleep?

United States
August 10, 2009 11:26pm CST
I'm 32. I'm 5'6 and used to weigh 158 pounds. I had a little meat on my bones, but I wasn't fat. Well, I am not exactly sure what happened but I dropped down to 120 in less than 2 months. And I haven't gotten on the scale lately, but I'm guessing that I've lost more. I haven't been and wasn't even trying to lose weight. I have been going through a lot of personal problems but stress is a constant in my life. I have NEVER been this small. I don't like being this small. I went from a size 11 to a size 1. I didn't wear a 1 when I was 12! Another one of my problems is I do NOT sleep. Seriously....Maybe an hour or two a night or every other night. I slept early Saturday morning from 4 to 6am and it's now early early Tuesday morning and I haven't been back to bed. My whole body hurts because I'm so tired. But I can't shut my mind off. I can't get to sleep. I have tried every darn thing there is out there, other than prescribed sleep meds which I will not take. I can't take them. I'm alone, in the country, with the Sheriff having a response time of 45 minutes. SERIOUSLY! I can't be dead to the world. I have 5 kids here, what if the house caught on fire? I have lived in this house for over a year by myself with just the kids and this just started about a month ago. Any ideas? I'll be waiting....ha ha ha Unless I just pass out.... I hope :-) By the way, I know I need to see the doc and I do, and yes, he's worried.
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6 responses
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
11 Aug 09
Stress will make you lose weight. I know last years I was under alot of stress. I usually weigh between 117 to 120 but due to the stress in my life I ended up going down to 104. My clothes were hanging down on me and I too was unable to sleep good at all. I've since gained my weight back after getting rid of the problem that was causing me so much stress. To lose 38 lbs in 2 months though is for sure not good. Have you had blood work done and or other tests. Plus what is on your mind that keeps you from sleeping? I know I still have alot of sleepness nights because I can't shut my brain down. Have you tried over the counter Aleve PM or Tylenol PM? They seem to help me but I have only taken them maybe 5 times at different times because I don't want to get dependent on them. The thing that I try to do when I can't sleep is read or pray that seems to help me more than not. I hope if you haven't had blood work down that you will get it done. I will be praying for you to be stress free and have a good night sleep soon. Take care.
• United States
12 Aug 09
Hi Lelin1123~ My clothes aren't hanging down, they are on the floor, lol. I have never been this skinny. They have done tests but nothing came back. I'm sure it's stress. I am a worrier. That's all I ever do. There isn't enough time to tell you half of what is on my mind. EVERYTHING is on my mind...from bills to the fridge breaking. I'm just mental. I have tried all different kinds of over the counter sleep aids, nothing worked. I might doze off but it seems like I always have bad dreams and wake back up. I also stress about taking them because I'm afraid one of the kids might need something or that something will happen. The doc has tried to put me on anti-deppressants but I don't take them. He also thinks that I need to go see a therapist, but I don't have the time. Maybe since the kids go back to school, I could try to find someone to watch Olivia and go....UGH. I'm about willing to try anything at this point. Thanks so much for responding. If you think of anything else, please let me know.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
12 Aug 09
I feel so bad for you because I'm the same way I worry alot about everything and that is my biggest problem. However I am learning slowly to take it day by day and not think about tomorrow as much, as its possible. Another words I plan each day with a list of what I'm going to do and I accomplish it. That will make you feel better I believe and hopefully making you feel better will make you sleep better. I honestly don't know how you don't sleep with children around. If I think of anything else I promise to send you a message. Take care and I will be praying for you to be able to sleep.
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@sagnik42 (3592)
• India
11 Aug 09
I have very similar problems. Well, I do not feel tired though. Usually I sleep soundly but sometimes there is a phase of 3-4 days when I just cannot sleep, not even for a minute. I stay pretty healthy and feel little tiredness. I have searched for a reason but could not get one. It is not because of tension because I do not worry about anything much, so it just happens without reason. I never had any serious side effects and have not seen any doctor. I am actually planning to see one. Coming back to your problem, I think it is really serious.You seem really tensed and that is probably the main reason for your sickness. If your doctor cannot solve this you should consult another. Whatever you do, do it fast. Otherwise you will definately pass out. I feel music and massage can really calm the mind. You can try giving yourself some entertainment, watching a comedy or something. Hope you regain your old self.
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• United States
12 Aug 09
God, I hope so too and I hope it happens soon! I just thought of something though. I started losing all the weight when the kids got out of school. And right now I'm having a anxiety attack because I've been trying to get them in bed for 2 hours and they are up there making each other scream. Seems like they just aren't going to be happy until they kill me sometimes! GEESH! School starts tomorrow, we shall see.... Thank you very much for your advice. I hope you have a great day!
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
12 Aug 09
i think you can get so over tired that your body doesnt know how to shut down anymore. what i suggest is go see your doctor and get his/her advice. sleep is a very important thing! if you dont want to go see your doc, try melatonin. your body produces it naturally. you can get it at any health food store.
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@sid556 (30960)
• United States
12 Aug 09
I am glad you are seeing a doctor because this could a number of things. I wouldn't even hazard a guess. If it isn't normal for you to be this small then something is going on, I would think. As for sizes....they are different these days. I way 118 and am 5/6 and a half. for me that is normal. I have always except for when on some meds and gained some weight...been a size 5. I'm the same size that I was then but they size the clothes differently now.
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@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
17 Aug 09
Hi Stephanie! You have a lot on you and it's no surprise you have lost so much weight. Stress may take a while but it can take a toll. I know you don't want to take meds with the kids there but maybe a light sleeping pill wouldn't be such a bad idea. You need to rest so bad. Ask a friend to come stay all night if you are uncomfortable. You have to take care of yourself so you can be the best for all those children you have to care for.
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• Indonesia
12 Aug 09
When I close my eyes and trying to sleep, sometimes I'm thinking of something I have done or might have done too hard, especially if I have a problem. If that happens, I usually cannot sleep for a few hours. Even thinking about I have to go to sleep, I have to go to sleep - will stress you out and make you harder to sleep! So, relax your mind, try to drink a herbal tea, and not thinking of something - meaning emptying all those worrying and thoughts throughout your mind, and I believe you may sleep well
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