I Feel Crappy Every Morning

[Lopburi99]

Every morning I wake up feeling crappy, glum. I pity those around me. The night before upon going to bed I always feel fine and am in good spirits but without fail, in the morning my mood is reset to lousy.

Coffee brings me around, but my wife swears Thai doctors say coffee is bad for one's health and doesn't like me drinking it. But I need to just to pull myself out of my glum mood or else it will be hours before I return to feeling and acting decent again.

What works for those of you who also wake up this way?

[monkeycircus]

sounds like your depressed. try excercise, running or swimming, or i always find some kind of task that takes your mind off things - like cooking, painting, etc. where you have to concentrate on something quite relaxing. maybe start each day by making yourself or your family a cooked breakfast? try learning to cook thai style as well, as this will ensure your family/gf/whatever, actually eat it.

[moe666]

Lopburi99, before you get out of bed check your temp. with an old fashioned thermometer record your temp for a week. Your temp should be between 98.6 and 97.8 if lower you maybe having a thyroid problem. Have some blood work done and have them check your thyroid function also testosterone and other hormones should be checked.

You can go to lef.org and look up male hormone modulation therapy and get an ideal of what is up. Sounds like a thyroid problem.

Let me know what is up with temp.

[fred2007]

well I guess I have similar problem, I go to bed early I sleep about 12 hours and when I get up

I feel very tired I just don't like getting up at all so what is wrong with me?

[rixalex]

well I guess I have similar problem, I go to bed early I sleep about 12 hours and when I get up

I feel very tired I just don't like getting up at all so what is wrong with me?

Laziness?

[Sheryl]

Not to sound facetious, but are you drinking (alcohol) every night?

[wasabi]

I feel crappy every morning too. It's from the disgusting air pollution. Bangkok is bad for your health. If you are not in BKK than I don't know what it is.

[Shotime]

Me too, but I've always been that way. It usually goes away in a half hour.

[bina]

blood sugar levels? what do u eat the night before? is this different then your usual wakeup self? i have one kid that is impossible to speak with ofr at least an hour after wake up... she can even get dressed, and get up to the school bus without speaking to anyone, if spoken too, she shrieks at them-- she is literally a zombie. u cant get any real answer from her the first hour. after a yogurt, and time passed, she reverts back to her sweet self. i do think her sleep time is not quality as she is ashtmatic and allergic and some nights her sleep is disturbed, although she doesnt remember that.

i need my cup of nescafe or i am a witch first thing in the a.m.

bina

israel

[Lopburi99]

Not to sound facetious, but are you drinking (alcohol) every night?

No Sheryl, I don't drink anything except water, don't smoke, and no blood sugar problems in the past.

[eek]

When you sleep, do you sleep well? Maybe sleep apnea, or bad dreams? Do you have anything stressing you or worrying you that might be causing some sleep problems or bad dreams?

--

Im not such a great morning person, but that has always been the case. I like to wake up early, but i need at least half an hour before being able to communicate with people. I need quiet time to get my head in gear, as im pretty foggy in the morning. Anyone who asks too much or wants fast reactions from me within that first half hour can easily give me a headache and get me in a bad mood. I will get grouchy and snappy if pushed. I really dont know why, but as its always been the case, all i can do is pre-warn people.

[Lopburi99]

blood sugar levels? what do u eat the night before? is this different then your usual wakeup self? i have one kid that is impossible to speak with ofr at least an hour after wake up... she can even get dressed, and get up to the school bus without speaking to anyone, if spoken too, she shrieks at them-- she is literally a zombie. u cant get any real answer from her the first hour. after a yogurt, and time passed, she reverts back to her sweet self. i do think her sleep time is not quality as she is ashtmatic and allergic and some nights her sleep is disturbed, although she doesnt remember that.

i need my cup of nescafe or i am a witch first thing in the a.m.

bina

israel

Blood sugar always had been ok. Evenings I usually eat grilled fish or perhaps chicken, Thai noodle soup, and some fruit (Mangosteen, bananas or pineapple). I drink a lot of water. I think I eat healthily and sensibly.

I've been this way all my life, somewhat like your daughter but not shrieky, just crabby with a bad attitude. I started this post because there are a lot of smart people in TV and I am always looking for ways to get over these morning blues. I do have a history of depression, but even when taking meds upon going to bed the mornings were still the same. I am like the other poster, I actually dread each morning because I know I will be in this lousy mood again.

I think it is a brain chemistry thing. I think it has to be because after drinking coffee there is such a big difference. Something is going on in my body while I am sleeping which causes this state of mind in the morning. I hate my body for being this way. Oh well, at least the feeling eventually lifts! As it lifts, I feel like a new person again. It is really strange and amazing, it's gotta be chemical. But this is a very annoying and frustrating condition because it affects my outlook and attitude every day. Unfortunately there may be little I can do about it because in the mornings I am too crappy feeling to have the strength to do some of the things people suggest, like cook, exercise, even taking a shower is something I need to push myself to do. Hard to explain, but people who have experienced true depression know what I am talking about. People say I am two totally different people in the morning and in the afternoon/evening.

Edited June 11, 2009 by Lopburi99

[Lopburi99]

When you sleep, do you sleep well? Maybe sleep apnea, or bad dreams? Do you have anything stressing you or worrying you that might be causing some sleep problems or bad dreams?

--

Im not such a great morning person, but that has always been the case. I like to wake up early, but i need at least half an hour before being able to communicate with people. I need quiet time to get my head in gear, as im pretty foggy in the morning. Anyone who asks too much or wants fast reactions from me within that first half hour can easily give me a headache and get me in a bad mood. I will get grouchy and snappy if pushed. I really dont know why, but as its always been the case, all i can do is pre-warn people.

Hi eek. I sleep fairly well, but I toss and turn a lot. I dream many dreams each and every night, many not pleasant. (What the hel_l is it with dreams anyway? Why so many? How can we stop dreaming so much? Nevermind. Off topic). Because I snore, I was tested for sleep apnea a few years back but that was ruled out. About stress, that could be part of it I guess. Retiring here has not been easy (living with wife's family problems, adjusting to nobody speaking english, no longer working at all, concerns over income which is less that I have ever had, trying to decide where to live/build, etc.). But as mentioned, this has been a life long condition. I never get up early. I am like the other posted who sleeps 10-12 hours every night and doesn't like to get up because of my mood. I doubt I can do anything but just try to continue to deal with the situation the best I can, recognizing how my body works (or doesn't work as the case may be). One thing I should surely do however is to get that first cup of coffee down my gullet more promptly after getting up. Since coffee helps me there is probably no reason to delay getting that first dose of caffein each morning.

Edited June 11, 2009 by Lopburi99

[eek]

I read that dreams are our way of processing our things in everyday life, particularly issues or problems, albeit in strange ways. Could be if you are unsure what to do about some issues in your waking hours, your nights are spent uncomfortably. Maybe if you try to work out a way to solve some things bothering you, or, better yet, find some way of letting them go. Meditation perhaps? Its likely to help your bad dreams and restless nights, but if not, its always good to try not to let things stress us in any case. So I think finding a way to relax and let go is a good start.

I know that many people advocate avoiding stimulants of any kind, but for me my only vice in that department is caffeine. So, I cant blame you for wanting that first cup of coffee, I know how good it feels. I dont see that having caffeine in small doses can be too bad (heck, ive even read that it can be good..but will probably change next week!). But, caffeine, and any heavy foods, are not good before bedtime, and if i recall correctly, shouldnt be taken several hours before bedtime. Apparently milk and dairy such as cheese isnt good either. Something about the way the process in the body can disrupt sleep patterns. Maybe someone more knowledgeable than i in this can clarify, but, google is always your friend too!

Lots of good advice on here. If there is nothing you can think of medically, then I would personally try a combination. The advice on depression (finding things that make you feel good. Exercise is good, even if gentle. Or some kind of moderate sport or activity, if you are not the sporty kind and/or usually not active. Basically making sure you have something in your life that makes you feel good about yourself, if you dont have that already). Then, making sure you are finding healthy ways to deal with stress/problems. Then, watching your diet before bedtime. After a while of this (a week or so?), see how you start to feel then?

Sorry, im no health specialist, its all i can think of. I had some sleep problems in the past I found that those elements (diet, exercise, relaxation/mediation techniques helped me to feel better and the knock on effect was sleeping better. Being a bit of a grouch in the morning hasnt changed, but thats normal for me! )

[moe666]

Lop. the caffine is the give away. Do the temp thing. You could have a Thyroid problem which can cause a cascade of other things. Before I started on Thyroid I would hit the snooze 9 to 10 times before out of bed and extremely cold also Mr. Grumpy.

[zorro1]

When you sleep, do you sleep well? Maybe sleep apnea, or bad dreams? Do you have anything stressing you or worrying you that might be causing some sleep problems or bad dreams?

--

Im not such a great morning person, but that has always been the case. I like to wake up early, but i need at least half an hour before being able to communicate with people. I need quiet time to get my head in gear, as im pretty foggy in the morning. Anyone who asks too much or wants fast reactions from me within that first half hour can easily give me a headache and get me in a bad mood. I will get grouchy and snappy if pushed. I really dont know why, but as its always been the case, all i can do is pre-warn people.

"When you sleep, do you sleep well? Maybe sleep apnea"

The first sign of possible sleep apnia, do you have a partner that has mentioned you stop breathing at night, do you snore?

[Datsun240Z]

- What time do you go to bed usually?

- What time do you wake up usually?

- What do you do during the day?

- How many cups of coffee do you drink?

I have the same problem to, It's the caffiene you are addicted to. In the evening you feel fine, during the sleep you don't notice, your brain is drying out ( caffiene takes the water level lower, like alcohol ) so you are very lame in the morning, after coffee you start to feel better to usual.

[cobra]

Do you skip breakfast, does your mood / attitude change after eating something in the morning,

The fact that coffee (caffeine) normalizes you to some extent suggest some chemistry issue,

though your blood work and labs may appear ok (at the time taken), a glucose tolerance and fasting sugar level might reveal something, at the least another thing you can rule out.

[TenDreams]

Every morning I wake up feeling crappy, glum. I pity those around me. The night before upon going to bed I always feel fine and am in good spirits but without fail, in the morning my mood is reset to lousy.

Coffee brings me around, but my wife swears Thai doctors say coffee is bad for one's health and doesn't like me drinking it. But I need to just to pull myself out of my glum mood or else it will be hours before I return to feeling and acting decent again.

What works for those of you who also wake up this way?

i find cordysen works for me.

http://www.orientalbotanicals.com.au/cordysen.php

i also take an oxyguard supplement ....

good luck

[moe666]

Alot of people go thru life thinking they are depressed when in fact it maybe some hormonal balance issue. Low thyroid can affect ones moods and the ability to get going in the mornings. Cortisol is also tied in with Thyroid and one can affect the other. These two being out of wack can cause a blood sugar problem as well as elevated cholestrol.

Afew years back I would have been diagnoist with depression except for a good friend who recommended the temp test turns out I had low thyroid. I havn't looked back since.

[Lopburi99]

Alot of people go thru life thinking they are depressed when in fact it maybe some hormonal balance issue. Low thyroid can affect ones moods and the ability to get going in the mornings. Cortisol is also tied in with Thyroid and one can affect the other. These two being out of wack can cause a blood sugar problem as well as elevated cholestrol.

Afew years back I would have been diagnoist with depression except for a good friend who recommended the temp test turns out I had low thyroid. I havn't looked back since.

Thanks again Moe. I'll definitely be buying a thermometer to do the temp test. BTW, if I do have a thyroid problem is the treatment straightforward, proven (non-controversial), and effective?

[llso]

I was feeling crappy every morning too. I went to Bumungrad and had a comlete checkup. After nearly the whole day there going for test after test . I took my lunch voucher and went to eat . That afternoon I went in to see the doctor. He looked over all my reports and said that they couldn't find anything wrong with me. I replied "then why do I feel so Bad"? The doctor said I needed to quit drinking, stop smoking and lose weight. I said dam_n! I could have saved 3000 Baht.

LL

[Lopburi99]

I read that dreams are our way of processing our things in everyday life, particularly issues or problems, albeit in strange ways. Could be if you are unsure what to do about some issues in your waking hours, your nights are spent uncomfortably. Maybe if you try to work out a way to solve some things bothering you, or, better yet, find some way of letting them go. Meditation perhaps? Its likely to help your bad dreams and restless nights, but if not, its always good to try not to let things stress us in any case. So I think finding a way to relax and let go is a good start.

I know that many people advocate avoiding stimulants of any kind, but for me my only vice in that department is caffeine. So, I cant blame you for wanting that first cup of coffee, I know how good it feels. I dont see that having caffeine in small doses can be too bad (heck, ive even read that it can be good..but will probably change next week!). But, caffeine, and any heavy foods, are not good before bedtime, and if i recall correctly, shouldnt be taken several hours before bedtime. Apparently milk and dairy such as cheese isnt good either. Something about the way the process in the body can disrupt sleep patterns. Maybe someone more knowledgeable than i in this can clarify, but, google is always your friend too!

Lots of good advice on here. If there is nothing you can think of medically, then I would personally try a combination. The advice on depression (finding things that make you feel good. Exercise is good, even if gentle. Or some kind of moderate sport or activity, if you are not the sporty kind and/or usually not active. Basically making sure you have something in your life that makes you feel good about yourself, if you dont have that already). Then, making sure you are finding healthy ways to deal with stress/problems. Then, watching your diet before bedtime. After a while of this (a week or so?), see how you start to feel then?

Sorry, im no health specialist, its all i can think of. I had some sleep problems in the past I found that those elements (diet, exercise, relaxation/mediation techniques helped me to feel better and the knock on effect was sleeping better. Being a bit of a grouch in the morning hasnt changed, but thats normal for me! )

You and others have given me some good clues. Although I have always felt crappy in the morning, it has been worse while in Thailand continuously since last August. The thing you mentioned which sticks foremost in my mind is "making sure you have something in your life that makes you feel good about yourself." Unfortunately this has been a problem because since I retired from daily work and came here have been adjusting to retirement. After going to bed I tend to review the things I've done in my life - the positive things or accomplishments but also my shortcomings or outright failures. Turning them over and over in my mind. I am trying to come to peace with how things actually are, and that that's how they will stay. I'm out to pasture now. The productive days are over, I'm afraid. I'm constantly reviewing my "legacy" and not all of it I am happy about. This has got to be putting a toll on me, my sleep, my conscious and subconscious.

Edited June 12, 2009 by Lopburi99

[imaneggspurt]

Boredom and lack of exercise ( because of feeling listless with the heat ) were the causes of me waking up like i had a hangover every morning ( and i dont drink alcohol ) .as soon as we got a treadmill i started to feel better,twice a day for 15 mins, thats it !, go on force yourself, im 57 and was very concerned ,when all along it was me causing it by being a lazy b@stard, !

Edited June 12, 2009 by imaneggspurt

[rixalex]

Unfortunately this has been a problem because since I retired from daily work and came here have been adjusting to retirement.

As i understand it, many struggle with the transition from working life to retired life. My guess would be that you need to really make an effort of filling your days and giving yourself a good reason to get up in the morning. Having too much time to reflect on all our life's regrets is never a good thing. Exhaust yourself to the point where when you hit you pillow, you are out like a light, rather than tossing and turning and stewing on the past.

[Lopburi99]

Boredom and lack of exercise ( because of feeling listless with the heat ) were the causes of me waking up like i had a hangover every morning ( and i dont drink alcohol ) .as soon as we got a treadmill i started to feel better,twice a day for 15 mins, thats it !, go on force yourself, im 57 and was very concerned ,when all along it was me causing it by being a lazy b@stard, !

Good point about the damned heat. Knocks me down. Whenever there is a cooler day or less humid or after a fresh rainstorm I have a lot more energy, but that is aside from the crappy morning problem. When the wife and I go out for a walk it is just minutes before I am wet with sweat. But that is OK, this is Thailand and I can live with the heat (as long as I am in a/c most of the time! ). The wife teaches aerobic dance - all I can manage is to do a few waist twists in the back of the class before I'm back to the refuge of our a/c car!

Edited June 12, 2009 by Lopburi99

[BigSnake]

A no brainer, pure and simply Morning breath, brush your teeth first thing then use a strong mouth wash i.e., Listerine works best for me. Have the coffee afterward, the wife has somewhat of a point in what the doctor said, but moderation is the key on this point. Ironic it was my wife that found this out and clue me, shortly after my retirement I was one Crappy mad old fart every morning, so she just stop and thought what was I doing different, waking, showering, brushing teeth off to work, BINGO, got it!!

[mommysboy]

Not to sound facetious, but are you drinking (alcohol) every night?

No Sheryl, I don't drink anything except water, don't smoke, and no blood sugar problems in the past.

Maybe you need to start then !

But seriously, it does sound like depression to me, which doesn't need to have a reason.

Light/moderate exercise, plus a nice personal goal in life will help, but maybe take a medical check first to rule out a physical cause.

[Datsun240Z]

I was feeling crappy every morning too. I went to Bumungrad and had a comlete checkup. After nearly the whole day there going for test after test . I took my lunch voucher and went to eat . That afternoon I went in to see the doctor. He looked over all my reports and said that they couldn't find anything wrong with me. I replied "then why do I feel so Bad"? The doctor said I needed to quit drinking, stop smoking and lose weight. I said dam_n! I could have saved 3000 Baht.

LL

I can say the same, can I be a Doctor now ?

[Datsun240Z]

Boredom and lack of exercise ( because of feeling listless with the heat ) were the causes of me waking up like i had a hangover every morning ( and i dont drink alcohol ) .as soon as we got a treadmill i started to feel better,twice a day for 15 mins, thats it !, go on force yourself, im 57 and was very concerned ,when all along it was me causing it by being a lazy b@stard, !

Good point about the damned heat. Knocks me down. Whenever there is a cooler day or less humid or after a fresh rainstorm I have a lot more energy, but that is aside from the crappy morning problem. When the wife and I go out for a walk it is just minutes before I am wet with sweat. But that is OK, this is Thailand and I can live with the heat (as long as I am in a/c most of the time! ). The wife teaches aerobic dance - all I can manage is to do a few waist twists in the back of the class before I'm back to the refuge of our a/c car!

This sweating problem I overcame, by forcing to not turn the aircon on, first few days, you think you die, after that, you can go easily without, and not sweat yourself like a pig when you walk down the Soi's.

Edited June 12, 2009 by Datsun240Z