Feeling spent or wore out, even on long weekends?

[nsl]

I get 4 days off one week and 3 days the next, BUT, I'm a 12hr nightshifter.
I've sat on my ***, ate, and slept since Saturday mourning.
It has been getting worse and worse in the last year or so.
So much that I only go out in the yard when I have to.
When I worked a normal day job in construction sweating or freezing to death, I still worked in the yard until dark.
Anything to do other than get off nights, which I no longer think is an option for me unless I take a big pay cut.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Might be a good time for a health check up.

 

[old bear]

nsl, you didn't mention your age. I did rotating shift work for years, with O.T. as needed depending on what happened. I found from 45 years on, it got a little harder each year to deal with any shift more than 10 hours long, or overnight shifts.

All I can offer is do the best you can do and pace yourself. Wishing you the best of luck.

 

[nsl]

nsl, you didn't mention your age. I did rotating shift work for years, with O.T. as needed depending on what happened. I found from 45 years on, it got a little harder each year to deal with any shift more than 10 hours long, or overnight shifts.

All I can offer is do the best you can do and pace yourself. Wishing you the best of luck.

I'm going on 42, and have been doing this for 12 years now.
Doesn't help that they've doubled or even tripled our workload (which makes no sense as they claimed we were messing up too much).
There are many days I may go to work with 3 or so hours of sleep, and only one meal.

 

[Farmer17]

I got so lazy, tired, and apathetic I didn't want to do anything or go anywhere so I went to the Doc and he said my testosterone was only 300. I started taking one dose per week and got it up to 1000 and I feel great, put on some muscle, and took 2 inches off my waist and I have lots of energy now!

 

[Lou_the_welder]

You gotta eat and you gotta sleep. No matter what. Burning candles at both ends.
I would rather be healthy and take a big pay cut than not.
I've realized myself that I've squandered youth and health too much.
Without getting into detail; dont be me.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[old bear]

I'm going on 42, and have been doing this for 12 years now.
Doesn't help that they've doubled or even tripled our workload (which makes no sense as they claimed we were messing up too much).
There are many days I may go to work with 3 or so hours of sleep, and only one meal.
Reply With Quote

First start eating properly and get as much sleep as you need. Second, this may not be easy or what you want to hear, but you might need to consider a career/employer change. Again, Best of luck.

As others have suggested you may want to consider a full and complete medical check up.

 

[Doug627]

Seriously, it sounds testosterone.

 

[LVSteve]

I'm going on 42, and have been doing this for 12 years now.
Doesn't help that they've doubled or even tripled our workload (which makes no sense as they claimed we were messing up too much).
There are many days I may go to work with 3 or so hours of sleep, and only one meal.

What's causing the lack of sleep? Can't sleep or doing other stuff. You HAVE to sleep, it's not optional.

In the UK they used to take LEOs off rotating shifts and all night shifts at 40. As you get older your body clock does not take to being bounced around.

 

[326MOD10]

I was on nights when I first went to work in LE for several years and then went back for my last 6 years. It is not an easy life and it seems you are always tired.

Having said that your situation seems to be a bit more than what I would call the normal dragging butt of shift work.

I would suggest a full check up with your Doctor before doing anything. There are a bunch of things that can affect your energy, from the already mentioned testosterone issues to kidney issues to depression issues.

Start with the doctor and then go from there.

Good luck and hope things get better.

 

[nsl]

What's causing the lack of sleep? Can't sleep or doing other stuff. You HAVE to sleep, it's not optional.

In the UK they used to take LEOs off rotating shifts and all night shifts at 40. As you get older your body clock does not take to being bounced around.

I think the main cause of lack of sleep is dreading going to work.
Also, I usually drag through the night, but ready to rock and roll as soon as I get home after work, so I can't go to sleep until about noon.

 

[misswired]

What's causing the lack of sleep? Can't sleep or doing other stuff. You HAVE to sleep, it's not optional.

In the UK they used to take LEOs off rotating shifts and all night shifts at 40. As you get older your body clock does not take to being bounced around.

Spot on again! Worked the long night shifts all thru the 30's and liked it, but, 12 hour night shifts after 40 should be illegal. Keeping it on the down low while looking,,,, I'd find me a day shift job...

 

[ExRanger714]

Sleep is a symptom of caffeine deprivation.

 

[loknload]

Did rotating shifts for 20 years,,, 6 on 2 off. Plenty of 12hr. Shifts in between when someone took vacation or called off sick.
Started getting tougher as I got older especially my last 5 years before they closed the plant. I did retire with my 20 year pension but was determined to do my 30 had they not closed the plant.
It did take its toll at times.

 

[gjgalligan]

OP:
That sounds like how I felt back in my 40s. Turned out my Thyroid had crapped out on me.

 

[GaryS]

As others have said, first see your doctor for a physical.

There are too many possible causes related to work to list, but I'll mention a couple.

The first is bad nutrition, including too much caffeine.
The second is diabetes. It's a serious problem for night shift workers due to generally poor diet and lack of sleep. That leads to weight gain and then to diabetes.

Another gift of more than 15 years working the midnight shift in my case.

Somewhat paradoxically, establishing a workout routine can help.

Some people I worked with had a set time they went to bed every day. No matter what, they went to bed the same time. That didn't work for me as I had young kids for much of the time, plus other obligations.

More times than I want to think about I got three hours of sleep in 24 hours. Regular shift, overtime, hour drive home in traffic, eat, go to sleep, and back to work.

I could be a wise guy and recommend retirement, but I know that's not a viable option for you.

 

[srsmyth]

Don't overlook the kidney issues mentioned above, it happened to me and it can sneak up on you and be misdiagnosed, as my family doctor did. Be vigilant and good luck.

 

[df06]

Shift work is bad for your health, in my view.
Did it several years in the 70s.

 

[BC38]

As others have said, a good thorough physical is where you need to start.
Regardless of whether you feel like it or not, you need to get more sleep. 3 hours per day is not enough for anybody who is working 12 hour shifts.
Have you tried taking melatonin? It is a natural sleep aid that is especially helpful with getting to sleep.

Another issue to look at is quality of sleep. If you have apnea it can totally wreck the quality of whatever sleep you do get. I used to sleep 8 hours a night but still always felt tired. I also had a serious case of sleep apnea. I could fall asleep just about anytime and anyplace - in fact NOT falling asleep anytime I sat still was a struggle. Once we resolved the apnea issue, 8 hours a night is more than enough sleep and I am not nearly so tired all the time. I actually have to try to fall asleep most of the time - including if I want to take a Sunday afternoon nap

 

[soFlaNative]

Been on call for field work 24/7 for the past 15 years, last 10 subject to double shifts. Trying for the past couple months to limit them to no more than once a week. Some food for thought in this thread, everything from diet and exercise to sleep apnea to low T. I'm 57 and find for the first time I need to work a bit to stay in shape but sometimes feel too sapped to get up. Once I'm motivated to move all is well but I am easily distracted.... things like just one more thread.....