When I have pouchitis or an arthritis flare, I have a terrible time getting going in the morning. To be honest, I just give in and go back to bed, rather than fight it. Since I don't work anymore, I have that luxury.

Jan

Hi Gin,
So sorry for the morning blues...I use the image of a full bathtub and having someone pull the plug out...and all of my energy...Whoosh...goes rushing out the bottom...
that is how I feel most days...Either about an hour after I wake up or around 3pm...I barely make it to the sofa before I collapse into a stupour.
The morning blues are usually a combination of a too short or bad night, lack of nutrition, depression, PTSD and stress not to mention dehydration.
I know that this is more of a rant than a request for advice but here goes.
1 or 2 large glasses of water or weak herb tea before bed, get to bed as early as possible and keep the room cool, the covers warm and comfy and put pillows around your body to support your arms, legs and lower back.
If you wake up in the middle of the night, try using a night lite in the bathroom instead of the full, bright bathroom light...it prevents you from waking all the way up and makes it easier to fall back asleep.
Afternoon naps help me to survive the full out exhaustion. They are my drug.
I also give myself morning goals and afternoon compensation. I 'book' 10min activities into my scheduel every morning...it is easier to say to myself that I will do 10mins of housekeeping than say that it is time to wash the floors (I would craw strait back into bed for that one)...I can get 3 or 4 10min activities done that way without anger, guilt or exhaustion and then reward myself with a nice cup of coffee or tea...(or chocolate)...
You are probably low on so many vits and minerals on top of all the stress, dissapointment and anxiety that your body is trying to get you to take it easy...so don't overdo it.
It is spring, the weather is nice so offer yourself a cup of tea in the garden every morning or a walk around the block to clear your head (or your favorite song on the radio)...
Know that we are all here with hugs for you
Sharon

When I have the blahs I'll read, watch a video, or get out of the house to shop or catch a movie. The goal is to do something, anything that'll take my mind off my problems, even if for only an hour or two. I also write to-do lists and force myself to work on them; a sense of accomplishment usually helps lift my spirits.

I don't get the blahs every morning, but often enough. I think a lot of it is the constant, night-after-night disturbed sleep. And, of course, the underlying, slow-simmering inflammation that just does not stop (cuffitis, the *#(%! fistula, etc.)

Coffee helps . But honestly, I just give in to the feeling - I grump around the house and to my husband, who totally gets it, thank goodness. I take my time getting in the shower - lump around in my robe for a good part of the morning.

I too am retired which indeed does help matters. Naps are wonderful. I've also find a little sunshine helps as well.

Hi Gin,

I wasn't a morning person to start with, but I too have morning 'blahs'. Sometimes during the day too - Sharon's description of pulling the plug on a bath describes it oerfectly - sometimes I feel all my energy draining away, and need to sit down, have a small snack, and wait for the feeling to pass.

I try to distract myself by performing small tasks, like making a pot of tea, reading my favourite (cheerful) craft blogs, and easing into the day. Maybe you could prepare a nice breakfast for yourself the night before, so you have a little treat to look forward too.

Oh, one more suggestion: you mentioned you hate changing your appliance. How about putting on an episode of an interesting podcast? There are many great ones from BBC, NPR, iTunes University, on history, art, science, music - I find they help to take my mind off problems and I can learn something too.

Anyway, perhaps knowing that you aren't alone might help a bit. Sarah :-)

Awwwww I feel for you. Especially the months after surgery I started to worry I was clinically depressed. I realized that I have to give myself a break and stop holding myself to a standard of a "normal" healthy person. Feeling tired and depressed and frustrated were NORMAL reactions to all the crap I was dealing with. And somehow that helped me put things in perspective - allow myself the liberty to cry and mope and rest when I needed, and also encouraged me to keep plodding on getting up for work every day (definitely not retired!), getting exercise, etc. - knowing it wasn't inherently ME to be depressed and de-motivated.

I don't know if that makes sense... either way hugs to you and so sorry for the continued struggle. Hope you've got some nice spring sunshine there!

Thanks, all. Mostly it is just good to hear that I'm not the only one!

I know the depression is getting to me because I am struggling to take my beloved dog for his morning walk -- used to be one of my favourite parts of the day.

Just keep trying with small goals and tea and naps...

Gin

I quit beating myself up over it. I was forced into retirement due to disability. I make all of my appointments in the afternoons and some days I don't change out of my night gown and house robe. If I over do things one day the next or the next few days I might not be able to get out of bed much. Yes I am depressed but my body is also in a constant state of pain, they go hand in hand. Some days are worse than others.

I'm older now and as I don't work out side of home I don't need to take a daily bath. I have a bidet so am clean where it counts. My skin is much better now that I don't dry it out with bathing every day.

I've also found out that the housekeeping police don't come if you don't dust every week. I've let things like that slide and have quit beating myself up for not having a spotless house. No one comes over anymore anyway. Both of our kids are married and live out of state and my dad does too.

I was in therapy for a few years and think what we are feeling is normal for what we have and are going through. Life has given us a lot of lemonades to process and there is bound to be a bitter taste left over.

P.S.
I have other health problems, the biggest being fibromyalgia.

I liked what everyone had to say. For me, after speaking with my family doctor she suggested I temporarily go on an anti-depressant. It takes the edge off the sadness I was feeling after going through all the medical issues and surgeries and hospitalizations. It takes a couple of weeks to kick in but what a difference. Once my j-pouch issues get resolved I will wean myself off. Until then, life is okay.

I feel the same way. Mornings are a "no talk zone". People around me know I don't like to be bothered the first hour I'm up. My advice is to get into regular clothes as quickly as possible. Let light into your room. If I loaf around in my sweats all day in the dark, I find it just makes things worse. Beyond habitual things like that, I am on a anti-depressant (pristiq) and it's really helped while I'm going through this. I know it's not for everyone, but for me, behavioral and dietary changes weren't enough to push me out of the depressed/anxious place that having a pouch puts you in.

Being a part of this forum has certainly helped too, because this disease/lifestyle/whatever you want to call it, it is very isolating. Know there are boat loads of us out there who know how you feel.