School and Exhaustion

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auntcob

New member
Hi---DS started 10th grade on Tuesday. Had a good productive summer. Not sure what it is about school but he is completely exhausted. He made it through 2 full days; only 3 periods today. Sleeping 2 hours after school and getting 8 1/2 hours a night. Had same problem last year. Doc does not think it is related to CF. I remember posting that she wanted him to have a caffeinated beverage at lunch! We have our appt with her next Friday and I have asked for routine blood work. Also, what makes matters worse, is that my DH thinks he should just suck it up.

Anyone else have this trouble with teens and school? CF doc also suggested a mild anti-depressant might be worth trying. Any thoughts?

Thanks...
 
A

auntcob

New member
Hi---DS started 10th grade on Tuesday. Had a good productive summer. Not sure what it is about school but he is completely exhausted. He made it through 2 full days; only 3 periods today. Sleeping 2 hours after school and getting 8 1/2 hours a night. Had same problem last year. Doc does not think it is related to CF. I remember posting that she wanted him to have a caffeinated beverage at lunch! We have our appt with her next Friday and I have asked for routine blood work. Also, what makes matters worse, is that my DH thinks he should just suck it up.

Anyone else have this trouble with teens and school? CF doc also suggested a mild anti-depressant might be worth trying. Any thoughts?

Thanks...
 
A

auntcob

New member
Hi---DS started 10th grade on Tuesday. Had a good productive summer. Not sure what it is about school but he is completely exhausted. He made it through 2 full days; only 3 periods today. Sleeping 2 hours after school and getting 8 1/2 hours a night. Had same problem last year. Doc does not think it is related to CF. I remember posting that she wanted him to have a caffeinated beverage at lunch! We have our appt with her next Friday and I have asked for routine blood work. Also, what makes matters worse, is that my DH thinks he should just suck it up.
<br />
<br />Anyone else have this trouble with teens and school? CF doc also suggested a mild anti-depressant might be worth trying. Any thoughts?
<br />
<br />Thanks...
 
A

amoo74

Member
I had a very similar problem in high school. I simply couldn't get out of bed early enough to make it to class. I was exhausted. I noticed this got worse in the winter and by the time it was spring, I was so far behind my morning classes, I really didn't want to go. After going through this for three years I finally was treated with meds for depression. It really seemed to help me.
But I also have heard that there are endless studies stating that schools should change their starting hours for teenagers as a teen is not able to function at their best that early in the morning. My school started @ 7:15 am. So it could be a combination of those things.
Anti-depressants really did make a difference for me. So it might be worth trying. But it is better to act sooner than later, because I missed out on a lot and my grades in high school weren't good because I missed so much and was always tired.
Best wishes
 
A

amoo74

Member
I had a very similar problem in high school. I simply couldn't get out of bed early enough to make it to class. I was exhausted. I noticed this got worse in the winter and by the time it was spring, I was so far behind my morning classes, I really didn't want to go. After going through this for three years I finally was treated with meds for depression. It really seemed to help me.
But I also have heard that there are endless studies stating that schools should change their starting hours for teenagers as a teen is not able to function at their best that early in the morning. My school started @ 7:15 am. So it could be a combination of those things.
Anti-depressants really did make a difference for me. So it might be worth trying. But it is better to act sooner than later, because I missed out on a lot and my grades in high school weren't good because I missed so much and was always tired.
Best wishes
 
A

amoo74

Member
I had a very similar problem in high school. I simply couldn't get out of bed early enough to make it to class. I was exhausted. I noticed this got worse in the winter and by the time it was spring, I was so far behind my morning classes, I really didn't want to go. After going through this for three years I finally was treated with meds for depression. It really seemed to help me.
<br />But I also have heard that there are endless studies stating that schools should change their starting hours for teenagers as a teen is not able to function at their best that early in the morning. My school started @ 7:15 am. So it could be a combination of those things.
<br />Anti-depressants really did make a difference for me. So it might be worth trying. But it is better to act sooner than later, because I missed out on a lot and my grades in high school weren't good because I missed so much and was always tired.
<br />Best wishes
 
P

peter

New member
Sleepiness can be a defense mechanism for coping. It may not seem logical but we are evolutionary beings and something like sleep may fit a brain logic for avoiding "something". It works something like procrastination. Anyway,I think "psychoactive" approaches are especially valid in today's fast paced and demanding living. Good luck.
Peter
 
P

peter

New member
Sleepiness can be a defense mechanism for coping. It may not seem logical but we are evolutionary beings and something like sleep may fit a brain logic for avoiding "something". It works something like procrastination. Anyway,I think "psychoactive" approaches are especially valid in today's fast paced and demanding living. Good luck.
Peter
 
P

peter

New member
Sleepiness can be a defense mechanism for coping. It may not seem logical but we are evolutionary beings and something like sleep may fit a brain logic for avoiding "something". It works something like procrastination. Anyway,I think "psychoactive" approaches are especially valid in today's fast paced and demanding living. Good luck.
<br />Peter
 
A

AnD

New member
You may want to ask (or even insist) on allergy testing. I start getting worn down this time of year too, and it's directly related to allergy season. It's worth ruling out, especially if it ends up that he's allergic to something seasonal or something in his school (like possibly mold if it's an older school). I found out I was allergic to (on top of mold and seasonal allergies) feathers. Out went the down blanket, and I was feeling A LOT better when I woke up in the mornings. Even my dry eye syndrome improved. And my allergies get worse every year, so even if he hasn't had allergies as a little kid, doesn't mean he hasn't developed them. I hope you find something to help soon.
 
A

AnD

New member
You may want to ask (or even insist) on allergy testing. I start getting worn down this time of year too, and it's directly related to allergy season. It's worth ruling out, especially if it ends up that he's allergic to something seasonal or something in his school (like possibly mold if it's an older school). I found out I was allergic to (on top of mold and seasonal allergies) feathers. Out went the down blanket, and I was feeling A LOT better when I woke up in the mornings. Even my dry eye syndrome improved. And my allergies get worse every year, so even if he hasn't had allergies as a little kid, doesn't mean he hasn't developed them. I hope you find something to help soon.
 
A

AnD

New member
You may want to ask (or even insist) on allergy testing. I start getting worn down this time of year too, and it's directly related to allergy season. It's worth ruling out, especially if it ends up that he's allergic to something seasonal or something in his school (like possibly mold if it's an older school). I found out I was allergic to (on top of mold and seasonal allergies) feathers. Out went the down blanket, and I was feeling A LOT better when I woke up in the mornings. Even my dry eye syndrome improved. And my allergies get worse every year, so even if he hasn't had allergies as a little kid, doesn't mean he hasn't developed them. I hope you find something to help soon.
 
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rubyroselee

New member
I don't know if this helps much...but I was always tired in high school. I sometimes would fall asleep in my classes and would almost always take a nap when I got home. I never went to bed all that late, but I think it's just getting up so early for school and having a full day that wipes you out...and on top of having CF that makes you tired anyways, that can make for a tiring day.
 
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rubyroselee

New member
I don't know if this helps much...but I was always tired in high school. I sometimes would fall asleep in my classes and would almost always take a nap when I got home. I never went to bed all that late, but I think it's just getting up so early for school and having a full day that wipes you out...and on top of having CF that makes you tired anyways, that can make for a tiring day.
 
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rubyroselee

New member
I don't know if this helps much...but I was always tired in high school. I sometimes would fall asleep in my classes and would almost always take a nap when I got home. I never went to bed all that late, but I think it's just getting up so early for school and having a full day that wipes you out...and on top of having CF that makes you tired anyways, that can make for a tiring day.
 
L

LisaGreene

New member
There's alot of info out there that talks about the "biorythms" of teenagers being different than children and adults.

They need more sleep- ideally 9.5 hours a night. Research shows that teens who are low on sleep are more likely to be depressed. It is VERY important that our CF teens get enough sleep since they are at risk of depression to start with.

Also, teen's bodies are sleepier in the morning and more alert at night. Experts talk about how, ideally, school would start later for teens and go into to the eve but society won't accept this (parent's work schedules, sports, etc.). Do a google on this- you'll find lots of info and research.

Solution? Is there anyway he can have a later start? As a parent, I'd hate to have my kid on antidepressants if it's a biorythm issue.

You might also consider cutting back on extracurriculars if you can so he can get to bed earlier. Research also shows that teens whose parents set limits around "bedtime" do get more sleep and do "abide" by the limits. Of course the way you set those limits is important- be collabrative.

Good luck- it's an important issue for all teens, not just CF related. Of course, an increase in tiredness can also be a sign of a lung infection so it does become harder to figure out with CF. But if it were me, I'd start with assuming it's typical "teen issue" and try to figure out some workable solutions to getting hime more sleep and schedule changes where possible.
 
L

LisaGreene

New member
There's alot of info out there that talks about the "biorythms" of teenagers being different than children and adults.

They need more sleep- ideally 9.5 hours a night. Research shows that teens who are low on sleep are more likely to be depressed. It is VERY important that our CF teens get enough sleep since they are at risk of depression to start with.

Also, teen's bodies are sleepier in the morning and more alert at night. Experts talk about how, ideally, school would start later for teens and go into to the eve but society won't accept this (parent's work schedules, sports, etc.). Do a google on this- you'll find lots of info and research.

Solution? Is there anyway he can have a later start? As a parent, I'd hate to have my kid on antidepressants if it's a biorythm issue.

You might also consider cutting back on extracurriculars if you can so he can get to bed earlier. Research also shows that teens whose parents set limits around "bedtime" do get more sleep and do "abide" by the limits. Of course the way you set those limits is important- be collabrative.

Good luck- it's an important issue for all teens, not just CF related. Of course, an increase in tiredness can also be a sign of a lung infection so it does become harder to figure out with CF. But if it were me, I'd start with assuming it's typical "teen issue" and try to figure out some workable solutions to getting hime more sleep and schedule changes where possible.
 
L

LisaGreene

New member
There's alot of info out there that talks about the "biorythms" of teenagers being different than children and adults.
<br />
<br />They need more sleep- ideally 9.5 hours a night. Research shows that teens who are low on sleep are more likely to be depressed. It is VERY important that our CF teens get enough sleep since they are at risk of depression to start with.
<br />
<br />Also, teen's bodies are sleepier in the morning and more alert at night. Experts talk about how, ideally, school would start later for teens and go into to the eve but society won't accept this (parent's work schedules, sports, etc.). Do a google on this- you'll find lots of info and research.
<br />
<br />Solution? Is there anyway he can have a later start? As a parent, I'd hate to have my kid on antidepressants if it's a biorythm issue.
<br />
<br />You might also consider cutting back on extracurriculars if you can so he can get to bed earlier. Research also shows that teens whose parents set limits around "bedtime" do get more sleep and do "abide" by the limits. Of course the way you set those limits is important- be collabrative.
<br />
<br />Good luck- it's an important issue for all teens, not just CF related. Of course, an increase in tiredness can also be a sign of a lung infection so it does become harder to figure out with CF. But if it were me, I'd start with assuming it's typical "teen issue" and try to figure out some workable solutions to getting hime more sleep and schedule changes where possible.
<br />
 
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