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aquaticeyes's avatar

Could it be Anemia/what is wrong with me?

Asked by aquaticeyes (107points) August 1st, 2012

I would greatly appreciate it if no one says “You’re fat,that’s the problem” or anything snarky such as that.
When I stand, my body is like a ton of bricks. I’m always tired yet it takes me hours to get to sleep. I usually don’t until 4–5 in the morning. I get temple headaches and my eyes hurt quite often. I’ve researched Anemia and done the “pull your eye lid down and check the color” tests. The inside of my eye lid is very light pink (The internet said that if they were pale you had anemia. I didn’t know if that meant pale as in pale pink or pale in comparison to your skin color).. As you can see in my profile picture my skin is quite pale (Using that word too much..) To sum it up, I never feel “good”. I never feel like moving more than I have to. When I excercise I get tired very easily. What could this be?

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23 Answers

DigitalBlue's avatar

Could be any number of things. Do you take a multi-vitamin?
Your best bet is to ask your doctor to do some bloodwork, that would help to at least narrow it down, if not pinpoint what is going on with you.

aquaticeyes's avatar

Yes, I take a few vitamins. I don’t have a way of going to the doctor at this time, and I want to have a good idea of what I need to be tested for when I do go. Thanks for answering

trailsillustrated's avatar

Are you middle 30’s or older? Thyroid panels often don’t show low thyroid. And it could be hormonal-( I am guessing you are a woman?) perimenopause often answers to these type of complaints, see about that too.

aquaticeyes's avatar

Um, no. I’m 16. That doesn’t fit my situation..Thankyou though!

augustlan's avatar

I would check your thyroid, too.

DrBill's avatar

Anemia is very likely, you need to get it checked.

ZEPHYRA's avatar

Sweetie, do you eat well, I mean properly? Did you speak to a parent about it?

_Whitetigress's avatar

Try walking for 3 miles a day. Of course have your water. This will release natural endorphins. Your energy will be used in a positive manner. The “slumpy” feelings goes away. Don’t over do it or shoot straight to the top. Quit soda or anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup. This might result in headaches after day one of quitting however it is needed. For energy, instead of doing anything with sugar, try and reach for green tea, or a cup of coffee (of course not before working out). Just remember, your brain is a muscle too, your mind resides in it. Work out your mind before you work out your body. Know what you have to do in order to feel right again. You’re already half way there by wanting to change.

JLeslie's avatar

Yes, could be anemia. Are your tongue and lips very pale also? It’s easy to fix anemia usually with iron supplements, assuming there is not other underlying problem, but you should not try to treat it without getting a simple blood test to confirm. Also, have your thyroid checked (TSH) when they draw your blood as someone mentioned up above. Most likely there is a simple remedy to your problem. Go to the doctor ASAP, so you can start feeling better soon. I know you said you can’t go to the doctor, but know that the two tests I mentioned are very inexpensive, usually about $15 each if you are concerned about the money. Do you have a regular doctor who might just order the tests for you?

Shippy's avatar

Like everyone else said it could be a number of things. However, when I do not sleep and battle to sleep I suffer a lot of things you mention. One of your posts also said you Blog or write? That too can add to sleep disturbance and headaches. As too much time is spent in front of a computer screen perhaps. When ever I sleep after 12am I never feel right the next day. I do think there is some correlation between sleeping near to where the sun sets and the sun rises. Stress can also cause all those symptoms including the not sleeping well. It is said perfect health means we eat well, sleep appropriately and handle things during the day well and feel well. But like @JLeslie said a test could clarify and don’t cost that much. I know to me, everything costs too much and this is part of my own stress.

JLeslie's avatar

Oh, sorry, I just realized, yes pale pink, can be almost beige in severe anemia. I think the tongue is a better gauge than the eyes personally. By the way, if your iron is low, getting it back to normal will make a drastic change most likely in your energy level, and how strong you feel. Also, you mentioned you are overweight. If you do have a thyroid problem, taking medication to correct it will help you control your weight most likely.

Do you have any other symptoms like very dry hair that maybe is falling out more than usual? Dry eyes? Dry skin? Very slow heart rate? High blood pressure? A bump in your neck that when you swallow you see it move if you look in the mirror?

Bellatrix's avatar

It could be anaemia. It could be a number of things. You really do need to see a doctor and have some tests done. I have suffered from anaemia in the past and at those times I have felt dog tired. Many things can leave you feeling tired and pale though. Please see your doctor.

marinelife's avatar

Why would you just wonder? Doctors take four years of medical school to learn to diagnose illness.

No one can diagnose your condition over the internet without tests.

Go to the doctor!

GracieT's avatar

I agree with everyone that is urging you to go see a doctor, we can’t diagnose you online. But my trainer told me to make sure you add at least a little sugar to tea- regular tea. Green also? Do you not have to do the same with green? I always thought that would be the same. I’m wrong about that?

gailcalled's avatar

Have your parents take you to the family PCP. We can offer encouragement and tidbits about our personal experiences but that has nothing to do with you.

16 is often a time of anxiety, also. That can trigger less-than healthy eating, sleeping, and behavioral habits.

Looking back, I wish that I had had the forethought and wits to have seen a therapist during my teens. Some self-knowledge would have spared me years of grief.

Get off the internet and stop looking at the insides of your eyelids with a paint color chip card.

Mr_Paradox's avatar

It sounds like insomnia to me. I have the exact same symptoms because of my insomnia. An easy way to tell if you have insomnia is to ask yourself how often you feel like you need to take a nap during the day. If it is more than three times a week, then you may have insomnia. If you had anemia than you would probably pass out during vigerous exercise

sydsydrox's avatar

It may be anemia but it sounds more like low blood sugar… My mom used to have diabetes and she said she felt the same way sometimes if she hasn’t eaten for a while. Are you on any diets or take any medication? If you are on a diet then try eating and exercising more instead of cutting back on things. If you take a medication, it may be side effects. If none of these seem right, go to your physician/phlebotomist and have some tests done. Hope this helps :)

aquaticeyes's avatar

@ZEPHYRA No, I don’t eat very well. I don’t eat breakfast or lunch as i usually feel sick :/ Yes, I talked to my mom. She said I probably just have hypochondria lol, she might be right.
@_Whitetigress Thankyou, I tried walking today and I’m very tired, but that’s probably because it’s my first day doing real exercise in quite some time haha
@JLeslie My eyes and hair are dry and high blood pressure runs in my family, but I haven’t been checked for it as I haven’t been able to go to the doctor. Thankyou for your advise!

To everyone who said for me to go to the doctor, thankyou and I will be getting there as soon as possible.

@Mr_Paradox Can insomnia be treated if that is what I have? I hear lots of people say they have it without actually being diagnosed with it.

Mr_Paradox's avatar

I was diagnosed with mild insomnia about two years ago. I try not to, but I sometimes use OTC sleep aids because my doctor said that my insomnia isn’t bad enough for him to prescribe medications. Also, that’s way you’ll see me posting things in the middle of the night.

JLeslie's avatar

@aquaticeyes All those can be symptoms of a thyroid problem. But, not necessarily. The only way to know for sure is with the blood test of course.

I think @gailcalled made a good point too. At your age it is very common to be anxious, depressed, insecure, unhappy, all sorts of things. It can affect sleep, appetite, and more. If you feel lonely or depressed have someone help you with it. It may not apply to you, but just know it is very common, you are not alone if you feel any of those things.

I would not label yourself with insomnia. I dislike the term. You are very young, and sleeping habits of teenagers are often very whacky. Sleeping 12 hours at once, staying up late, napping, it is all very common.

Let us know what happens when you see the doctor.

aquaticeyes's avatar

Thank you all :)

Bellatrix's avatar

I just found this news story that lists a whole host of reasons why people feel tired. Perhaps something here will ring true for you (still see your doctor).

nini77's avatar

I’ve been feeling the same exact way. I’m in my mid 30s and its awful.. :(

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