Sleep issues

[Robin]

As some of you may know through the "sleep aid" thread on the food/products board, I was having trouble falling asleep and the drug my Dr. recommended (unisom) had an animal derivative in it. I changed my habits (ie. not eating and drinking right before bed, relying on my alarm clock) and have been having an easier time getting to sleep. However, I am always tired no matter how much or how little sleep I get. This has been going on for about 3 weeks. Last night I got 12 hours of sleep (from 11:30-11:30) and I got 9 the night before (11-8) Even with this much sleep I'm exhausted! My mom thought it might be anemia, so she wants me to get a blood test. Does anyone know if they use animal products for bloodwork like that? I eat soy products and a cereal fortified with plenty of iron! Could it not be absorbing right? Also, I have really vivid (and random and weird) dreams that I can remember in detail in the morning, so I think my mind does more work when I'm asleep than awake! And I often wake up at a weird hour of the morning and think it's time to go to school/church, etc. then fall back asleep and can't get out of bed when it's really time for school/church. Also, I do this weird thing where I'll be half asleep and dreaming about something but also half awake and aware of my surroundings. According to my dad, sometimes he'll come in in the morning to wake me up and I'll sit up and open my eyes and say I'm awake and then he'll come back and I'll still be sleeping and I won't even remember telling him I was awake. It's driving me crazy! Any ideas? I recently started taking a B12 supplement with like 8333 percent of your daily value, could my body just be adjusting weirdly? Or could the weather/season change be messing me up? Thanks in advance-

[sophie]

Hi Robin
Your sleep patterns sound very similar to mine at the moment, though I know what's causing mine- I'm pregnant:p
I think that you should have a blood test just to check if it's iron, if it's low then you'll know what's up, and if it's good then you can rule that out (plus say "look everyone, I'm vegan and my iron is great!" which is what I did when I had a blood test a couple of months ago). As for your B12 supplement, it does sound like rather a lot to be taking, I don't know what the safe amount is, but you don't need that much. Perhaps you could get a supplement with a lower dose. I take B12 supplements, but because the body only needs a small amount I only take about 2 or 3 tablets a week.
Good luck!

[5xblessed]

I was going to second the pregnant theory, LOL. I would go get checked out just to rule out any problems and I think I would stop the B12 supplement and see if that improves things. Does your cereal also contain B12 and are you drinking B12 fortified soy or rice milk? It may just be too much which is usually as bad as too little! Just some thoughts.
Lisa

[inkiepoo]

Robin, I think you might need a complete check up. There are several things that came to my mind in reading your post, such as possible problems with sleep apnea? do you have a problem with depression? how about checking blood sugars to check out possible diabetes? Are you worried about anything? Are you a young person still growing? If you are a teen, often teens need extra sleep.

also if you have blood tests, I don't know of any connection with animals in these tests. I think if I went to a family physican and had a physical that I would not let them know I was vegan. There is so much prejudice and if you are eating healthy, I don't think that is a problem. But I think a good physical with blood work should be done. Let us know the outcome!!