HELP! Fatigue remedies that are compatible with breastfeeding?

[EnchantedMamma]

I am at my wit's end with ongoing fatigue (10+ years).

I still have not gotten any medical answers and am continuously searching for a diagnosis AND for treatments. Most of what I've tried previously was not compatible with pregnancy OR breastfeeding.

I survived pregnancy, but now DD is 6 wks old and I have to return to work full time.

Does anyone know of any safe or potentially safe things that would give me a BIG energy boost? (Caffeine, for the record, doesn't begin to cut it...).

The only thing I can think of trying is d-ribose, as I've heard it can give a big energy boost. Beyond that, I don't even know what things I could research for safety. I know things like l-tyrosine and COQ-10 are out.

If there is anything else I could look up that would be fantastic! I'm sadly contemplating the possibility of switching to formula for the benefit of me and the rest of my family if I cannot bring my energy up to a more tolerable level. :( At least I would be able to take what I need (herbal/pharm. supplements) to function and focus on my family's health.

[Marissamom]

it doesn't help everyone, but chiropractic care really helped my fatigue. 

[EnchantedMamma]

I have a chiropractor that I love, but today he just recommended that I improve my diet and get more water. :(

In tears tonight because I just cannot get anywhere with these symptoms.

Is it just regular back/neck adjustments or is there a specific technique that's been working for you?

[applecider]

B-12 supplement or injections?

[Marissamom]

Originally Posted by EnchantedMamma 

I have a chiropractor that I love, but today he just recommended that I improve my diet and get more water. :(

In tears tonight because I just cannot get anywhere with these symptoms.

Is it just regular back/neck adjustments or is there a specific technique that's been working for you?

just regular back/neck adjustments. as I said, doesn't work for everyone. B12, D, and C can help for some people

[dejagerw]

regular exercise?

[EnchantedMamma]

Exercise has never done it for me in the energy dept.

But maybe it's because I was missing something: I currently take C (1000mg) and a B-50 complex. I just added Fish Oil (from Costco) and it has made a HUGE difference. I mean, short of major medication, this is the best I've felt in years including the times I was 'doing everything right' and while I was not pregnant, nursing, or even yet a mother!

I also cut back my carbs a little.

I'm guessing that the combination is working for me. Maybe I needed the Fish Oil to get the most out of everything else?

My midwife also suggested a B-12 sublingual tab in the afternoon for an extra boost.

[D_McG]

Fish oil helps me a lot, too although I never know if it's just a placebo affect.

How is your sleep quality?  I make myself get in bed for 10 hours a night now (had a baby 3 weeks ago so needless to say I'm not sleeping 10 hours a night).  It's also helping a TON.  

[EnchantedMamma]

Well, I've always said I'll take the placebo effect any day! Whatever works, right? But I never noticed anything from fish oil before, so I wonder if it is this combination of things...

The more sleep the better everything works for me. Unfortunately my new DD is 7 weeks, and I nurse/co-sleep, so as you know I am not getting 10 hrs a night :)

Still, she's a decent sleeper and I *normally* get at least a 3-4 hr stretch of sleep, then more broken sleep. We're trying to do as much as we can to get to bed earlier. It's tough because I work full time outside of the home. I don't get home with the kids till 6:30 at the earliest.

Boo for non-flexible hours :(

[D_McG]

Yes I can imagine as a WOHM it's hard to go to bed early!  I can only do it b/c I'm so sick of everything and everyone by 9pm in my house.