For the past few months I’ve been having these really obnoxious symptoms:
- lethargy
- dull headaches
- inability to form complete thoughts/carry on a coherent conversation
- general feeling of malaise
- feeling like my head is foggy
- feeling cross eyed
These are not medical terms, but it’s how I can explain my general feeling day to day. I also have guilt. Lots of it! At first I thought all of these symptoms were due to caffeine withdrawals, but we’re now a few weeks out and I still feel them. I notice that they go away when I’m outdoors in the sunshine. Approximately 10 minutes after returning home, I’ll start to get that foggy feeling and want to just take a nap. Which of course I cannot as I have a 17 month old to care for.
I started to think that perhaps these feelings are related to some kind of depression. But that can’t be, right? I have a wonderful kid that I get to spend every day with. We have friends we see, and I have the best hubs in the world. I don’t feel weepy, and in fact feel grateful most of the time. I feel grateful that I have a hubs that comes home from a long day at work and helps me wash dishes and does bath time. He gets up early before work to play with Ro and gives me a chance to get myself together. I feel grateful, but at the same time I feel guilty. Why am I so spoiled? I should be doing all these things with a grin on my face, especially since I don’t have a full time job to do on top of it.
After talking about this with a fellow SAHM (my sister in law), I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not being stimulated and maybe my brain has checked out and left a fog behind. I’m going to try something my sister in law told me may help: take time for me. I’m going to attempt a few things to maintain my interests and keep my brain sharp and see if this cloud doesn’t dissipate. Here’s what I’ve got so far:
- Go to the gym (leave Ro with the kids’ club for an hour and get the blood flowing at least 1x a week)
- Work on the quilt that has been collecting dust in my craft room which has been taken over by junk
- Research sewing workshops that can fit in my schedule
I think 3 things is reasonable for now. Let’s see if they help me get back to being me.
marysloves.wordpress.com 
Have you considered the possibility that you might be having migraines? All of your symptoms fit the profile. When you go out, your migraines could be triggered by the bright light or by fragrances in buildings you visit. Mine are triggered by these as well as foods. To control the migaines, I have made dietary changes, wear sunglasses that wrap around to block most light, and limit my time in fragranced stores. I’m posting about my diet changes if you want to visit.
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I never considered migraines, but maybe I should see a doc about that. Thanks!
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I feel like this on and off. For me, I think it’s possibly related to fatigue and the endlessness of my days as a SAHM. I, too, feel grateful to be in the position I am in, but it doesn’t negate the fact that staying at home comes with its own set of challenges. I agree with your SIL. Try and do a few things for yourself without feeling guilty (easier said than done) and see how you feel! I have yet to find a magic solution over here. So keep me posted. xo
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I’ll definitely be checking in about this. I’m also going to get a physical to make sure nothing else is wrong. This cannot be right! Though it is reassuring to know i’m not the only one.
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