Apparently this isn't normal?

[mayatawi]

I'm sort of aware at this point that I'm tireder than most people. I kind of sat up at some point in August or so and went, "Wait, most people don't spend all day feeling exhausted and yawning every five minutes, do they

Comments

[_unhurt_]

since moving to the dark north, i've had to get a light therapy light for winters (they don't wait three years before diagnosing SAD in orkney, because they see it quite a lot!) - there are a bunch of brands, but you want something that has actually been tested & rated as medically useful. the smaller more portable ones cost more (sadly) but i have the one on the left here (it was in part a gift from my folks because: expensive!) and it is GREAT. definitely makes a difference to my energy levels, and reduced the ridiculous amoung of sleeping i had going on

[_unhurt_]

p.s. SAD charities might also recommend you a brand/model in your price range, or be able to help you find one second hand?

[mayatawi]

Oh, thanks! I'll look into the charity thing-- but if not, I think I found that one on the right on Amazon for a kind of awesome price. This looks like the one, right?

And I'm glad it worked for you! Also, that gives me hope.

[_unhurt_]

that's the one - ooh, and yes, a very reasonable price too! happy to help; i do hope things get better.

[apiphile]

I use a Lumie (cost about £120) daylight lamp from John Lewis to tackle the SAD, which also helps with energy levels. I have mine on all day, pretty much, because despite them being all "one hour a day is enough" it fucking well isn't and I flag if it's not on. I don't know of any cheaper models, but I do know that this has a marked effect.

[mayatawi]

Glad to know they work, at least! I tend to go into these things with a "well, surely it won't work on me" attitude, so more cause for optimism is good.

[apiphile]

It's weird/subtle in that I think it's doing nothing, and then one day I forget to turn it on and find I am exhausted and doom-ridden and then - oh yeah turn on the lizard lamp. Boom, less moody! More alive!

[ldthomps]

I haven't had a sleep study, but both Ron and Grant have, and had mixed results - both required more than one, but once their sleep issues were diagnosed, they were SO much better off. The thing is that it's kind of hard to sleep when you're attached to wires and stuff, but still. Worth it!

And, yeah, I'm glad you're looking into this, because you work out and get enough sleep and all of the stuff people say to do, so professional help is definitely in order!

[mayatawi]

Heh. I kind of haven't been doing the working out thing so much? But it wasn't any better when I did, so... yeah.

Thanks for the info!

[alya1989262]

I use a Verilux lightbox that I got off amazon for ~$80. It really helps with not wanting to cry when the sun doesn't come up for several days in NYC.

Sorry to hear about your health problems. I hope you feel better, with or without a lightbox.

[mayatawi]

Thanks! And wait, you're in New York now? I really need to start paying more attention to things.

[alya1989262]

Yes! Doing the NYU grad school thing, as one does. :|

[giddygeek]

I haven't had a sleep study done, but it doesn't sound like it's too wretched a thing--and hey, if it helps you figure out what's up and how you can feel better, it's a win. Good luck!

[mayatawi]

...is it weird that the thing I'm most concerned about is if they'll let me have my penguins? :P

Thanks!

[lady_ganesh]

They should, actually, the ones around here at least encourage you to bring in your normal sleep stuff. PENGUINS ARE AWESOME.