Fatigue

hi hp35, thankyou for this post highlighting fatigue.   This is something I'm struggling with terribly.  It's definitely linked to my perimenopause , as I've got my thyroid medication levels right at the moment.  I take cyclic HRT (oestrogen and progestogen) for perimenopause and it's so difficult to get the hrt levels right as my own hormones are still erratic.  I have weeks with fair to good energy but then I plummet into the depths of utter despair and complete exhaustion, quite extreme in comparison to what I used to have with pms.  I never have the levels of energy I had in my 20s which is very frustrating!

I don't know what to do about it really, i do everything I'm 'supposed' to do lifestyle-wise bearing in mind limitations I have with my autism, but nothing works so I just have to wait it out for it to pass.

I think the idea of what we are "supposed" to do differs per individual depending on circumstances. I've had Doctors say to me I should be doing 10,000 steps per day.. but I also have POTS along with ASD, so this is not physically possible and can cause POTS episodes...  However, my literal brain took this as a set rule and I made myself VERY unwell a few years ago because of this.

Speaking with a physio therapist they believe between 3,000-5,000 is good for me depending on how I am feeling.. I now just do what I can based on what my body is feeling and tend not to log steps anymore.

you are so right, i was obsessed with walking for miles too and I just think that wore me out even more! Now I'm content with an hour and half pottering around with my dog out in the fresh air, some of it is actual fast walking, but the rest is just him sniffing and me staring aty surroundings or daydreaming :) I think if I could get a good 8hours sleep every night I would be a different woman but my autism has never let me rest properly so I think my body can't live at high energy on little sleep anymore and is letting me know about it!

Melatonin has been the only thing to work for me without feeling groggy.. I hope this is helpful for you! 

thankyou that's interesting, I've been reading up on melatonin and might ask my gp and see if she'll let me have a try of it.  anything that works I will gladly take! 

Sleep is sooo difficult! I've tried Nytol (the non-herbal one as herbal stuff has never worked for me) but it leaves me feeling really drowsy.. the only thing that has given me the best and most restful sleeps is melatonin.. (I took it for years when I was a teen experiencing burnout.. apparently it's something autistic individuals can lack) which I've recently been prescribed again. Maybe ask a doctor for help.. (if not done so already) sleep is so vital for anyone let alone autistic individuals and yourself with thyroid and premenopausal. 

Sleep is sooo difficult! I've tried Nytol (the non-herbal one as herbal stuff has never worked for me) but it leaves me feeling really drowsy.. the only thing that has given me the best and most restful sleeps is melatonin.. (I took it for years when I was a teen experiencing burnout.. apparently it's something autistic individuals can lack) which I've recently been prescribed again. Maybe ask a doctor for help.. (if not done so already) sleep is so vital for anyone let alone autistic individuals and yourself with thyroid and premenopausal. 

Melatonin has been the only thing to work for me without feeling groggy.. I hope this is helpful for you! 

thankyou that's interesting, I've been reading up on melatonin and might ask my gp and see if she'll let me have a try of it.  anything that works I will gladly take!