Connect
← Return to Fatigue every afternoon - How can I get more energy?
Discussion
Fatigue every afternoon - How can I get more energy?
Aging Well | Last Active: Sep 8, 2023 | Replies (141)Comment receiving replies
Thank you so much for the reply. I have been on it since my bovine valve replacement through mini-sternotomy in Aug 2021. I need to find out if it was for the one episode of AFIB I had after surgery, or for my blood pressure. I take 25mg twice a day.
I have day time sleepiness, some Adrenalin surges, as well as the nighttime delayed sleep. I have a message into my cardiologist, but unfortunately, we are in the winter holiday season, and I may not hear from her for another week. 😩🫣
I am still trying melatonin. The first night 3mg worked, the second it didn’t, and I am titrating upwards. I am hoping that she will either tell me to cut back, drop it, or switch to another med. (But not amiodorone…that sucker made me drop 20 pounds in 30 days).
The discussion thread was helpful and interesting.
Replies to "Thank you so much for the reply. I have been on it since my bovine valve..."
I'm glad that you found the discussion helpful. It is a good plan to find out exactly why the med was prescribed. Often there is A-Fib after open heart surgery.
When I needed an alternative to metoprolol (for rapid heart rate), my cardiologist suggested Atenolol (at the same dosage). This is also a beta-blocker as is the metoprolol, however, I did not have the side-effects of the restless sleep and the vivid dreams, etc. I now take this med in the evening, around 6 p.m., but not at bedtime.
I also take an ACE Inhibitor med, twice a day. I have a moderate leakage of the aortic valve and also might be looking at a valve replacement down the road.
I look forward to hearing from you again. Will you post again and let me know how you are doing and if a change in medication is prescribed?
Connect
I had a similar problem with melatonin. I find the bi-layer melatonin works better for me when I just can't sleep. There's a fast-acting layer to help me eel sleepy, and a slow-release layer that hels me sleep all night without waking up.
But needing melatonin is an exception. My routine includes other non-chemical things. No single one is a magic bullet but together, they work for me. i hope these ideas help someone.
I try to get some exercise in the late afternoon or early evening, so I'm feeling kind of good-tired by bedtime.
I turn off TV and all electronic screens starting an hour before sleep.
I follow the same before-bed routine, at the same time , every night.
I have a little SAD light I bought for $30 on Amazon, and use it in the short, dark days of winter. I sit by it every morning while I read emails, plan my day, and watch the news. It wakes me up, then I start to feel like slowing down and going to bed on time in the evening.
I just go to bed when I start feeling sleepy. If I stay up just a little longer, and then a little longer, I get a second wind and then I'm wide awake for a few more hours.