Eyes feel like lead even though had good nights sleep

Posted , 39 users are following.

For the past week I've been feeling very tied even though I've had a good nights sleep every night. I go to bed at 10:30pm and usually wake up before my alarm goes off at 6:15am. I don't remember waking up in the night and initially feel fine until after I get to work and sit down then my eyes feel puffy and heavy, I feel very tied all day long and can barely keep my eyes open.

I get light-headed, not dizziness per say but I do feel slightly unsteady sometimes especially if I'm using my eyes a lot, like reading. I feel like I'm in control and can concentrate when driving to work and back. It seems to be worse when moving my eyes a lot.

I work in a GP practice so I was able to get our HCA to give me a full blood test, the results came back with everything normal apart from my Biliirubin levels (it's what makes urine yellow - broken down from red blood cells). I had one of the doctors take a look and he thought I had Gilbert's Syndrome. As far as I can tell from a little research Gilbert's only symptom is the occasional jaundice and is a benign condition that effects 10-15% of the western population and is nothing to worry about.

So I think spotting the Gilbert's Syndrome is just a coincidence and would have been there all the time anyway (it's a genetic condition) though I've noticed having jaundice.

I also feel like I have pressure behind the eyes, and sinuses - though no pain or headaches which should rule out sinusitis. The best way to describe what I have is a lack of sleep, effecting my eyes even though I've a good nights sleep. I have no muscle aces or pain and don't have any brain confusion or disrupted vision in eyes. I'd been taking Loratidine for hayfever but stopped about two months ago, I've now resumed taking them thinking that perhaps I was having some kind of extreme reaction to pollens despite the lack of itchy eyes or runny nose. I take no other medication and I stopped drinking alcohol two days ago (I only have one alcoholic drink a day anyway).

I spoke to a doctor about it where I work, actually two doctors, and they both agreed that it was probably viral and will pass in a few days. I'm finding it difficult to book an appointment with my own doctor (my own practice is notorious for not being able to get seen). I'm going to try again tomorrow to get an afternoon slot - failing that I'll have to see if one of the doctors where I work will consult me; I am a temporary patient now after all - had to register for the blood test. I'm also waiting for results of celiac disease due to having loose stools in the morning after breakfast for a long time now.

Any thoughts?

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  • Posted

    I have recently been diagnosed with POTS syndrome and have been having similar symptoms to you...you said that you have been being light headed and sometimes offbalance which is what I have been feeling quiet often. If you realize yourself getting dizzy or light headed after standing up then you should probably go talk to your doctor about the POTS syndrome
  • Posted

    I'm having the same problem. For the past 4 years I have suffered from extreme fatigue that has interfered with my daily life. It hit me out of nowhere one day when I woke up (after what would typically be a good nights rest) with my eyes sore and heavy. I always describe it as a pressure behind my eyes, as well as the heaviness of weights on top of them. I feel so sleepy often that I have isolated myself from the outside world for the most part. It has gotten in the way of my studies, as the fatigue would cause me to stay home longer due to how hard it was for me to keep my eyes open and stay alert. I would wake up some mornings finding it hard to make eye contact with my own reflection in the mirror. Doctors say they have no idea what could be causing it; my blood work comes back fine with no abnormalities. I used to suffer from seizures, but every time I bring that up they say it probably isn't related. I have seen a sleep specialist, a neurologist, a psichiatrist, an optometrist, and my PCD. EEGs/EKGs come back normal, but the psichiatrist has prescribed some antidepressants to see if they would help. That's a negative. No matter who I talk too they can't seem to fix the problem. I recently made an appointment with an ophthalmologist to check my eyes... my last shot. I'm hopeful because one did help my friend with a rare disease called ocular hypertension. She was having a strange blurriness in her eyes no matter if she wore her contacts or not. A lumbar puncture is what it took to diagnose her after all other methods failed, so now it's getting treated. I know that if I have something, an ophthalmologist is sure to spot it, and I just wish I had seen one sooner.

    • Posted

      Did the ophthamologist help?? My symptoms mirror yours exactly and I have an appointment with one next week.
  • Posted

    Hi daniel14, Pls am having exacly what u have or had. A blood test has been carried  and nothing came out. The doctors dont understand what my case is and my colleagues at work just feel am being lazy. I was so happy when i saw your post today cos it gave me hope that am not the only one going through this  condition. Pls what is this condition called and how can i treat it. Pls do reply
  • Posted

    I feel the same thing, waking up with irritated eyes and constantly day in day out a pressure below my eyes as well as above my eyebrows. Feels like my eyes are just heavy and weighed down no matter the sleep. 

    I feel like no matter what, this cant be completely related to any eye problems as ive been checked too. I feel constant need to sleep earlier than others.

    • Posted

      I had two ways of making my eyes feel better....detoxing from fat and sugar by not eating it.  There are many foods out there you can try, and cook differently (boil your scrambled eggs in a fry pan, turkey bacon), detoxing off of coffee.  On coffee detox, you will feel awful for one week, and next week you feel renewed.  You will feel a renewal if you get off fats and sugar.  Both times, it made my eyes feel better.  I also think when my eyes feel this way, my sleep gets disturbed, like a pet waking me up too early.  I have had my eyes feel better in going for an early night sleep, going to bed by 9:30 pm or 10:00 pm, and then after 10:00 pm, I don't have healthy feeling eyes in the morning.  I can't get my mind to shut off at 10:00 pm to fall asleep.  

  • Posted

    Same thing happens to me. I also have Gilberts sybdrome.I feel like the only thing that makes me feel better is to push through it. Exercise as much as possible, eat well (sugar free, gluten free, paleo diet)

    Also rub magnesium oil on the temples and and around sinus area.

    Supplements such as milk thistle and activated vitamin b are also very helpful.

    Good luck.

  • Posted

    Hi Daniel,

    I have similar issue. Eyes feel puffed and tried in the morning. This has been happening for the last two weeks. The syndrome improves during the course of the day when the tiredness and puffiness disappears and I feel perfectly normal.

    Could anyone enlighten me on what is it due to? And is there a permanent  remedy.

    I have tried bathing my eyes with warm water for about 3 to 5 minutes and immediately therefafter with cold water. This seems to help the muscles relax and release the feeling of triedness and puffiness.   

  • Posted

    I had no idea so many people experience this.  I'v had the same exact thing every day, all day for about three weeks.  I have a lot of energy; in fact, I cleaned my whole garage today, top to bottom.  I came inside, sat down at the computer and I couldn't keep my eyes open.  I can sit down and talk with a friend and it doesn't happen.  It only happens for me when I read or work on the computer.  When I look up at the t.v. it goes away.  On some occasions, I feel like I'm not thinking clearly.  After reading everyone's comments, I'm reluctant to go see my doctor and be put through a bunch of tests and then get no answers or a diagnosis.  Has anyone found a "cure" for this?

  • Posted

    Ive been dealing with these symptomes for years but as i get older (27now), they only seem to get worse. I was diagnosed with Gilbert Syndrom several years back. Now they are thinking i mhave Crigler Najjar which is basically the same thing only less of the liver enzyme UGT which helps to make bilirubin water solulable and therefore excretable. My unconjugated bilirubin lvls are usually between 4-6. I have constant jaundice and during the bad spurts its almost orange because it gets so yelow. I'm constantly tired and umotivated and my eyes have the heavy almost soggy feeling. Not moist, but soggy if that makes sense. Something worth noting is i also suffer from rosacea, and more importantly ocular rosacea. So on top of my eyes feeling heavy and pressured they also feel dry, blood shot, and as if there is something stuck in my eye. Ive struggled with severe depression as a result because it feels the most basic tasks or nearly impossible with how s**t i feel and how sensitive my eyes are ALWAYS. Ive recently been diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder after starting to have panic attacks for the first time 3 months ago. This has only increased the symptoms of GS and Ocular Rosacea as both are triggered by stress. I don't even know where to start with decreasing the symptoms anymore. It almost seems as though rosacea and GS diets want opposite things. Can't figure out how to fix one without making the other worse and feel like giving up all together. Relationships are nearly impossible (likely about to lose my girl as we speak). I'm so sorry any of you have to deal with this as i know the pain it brings as well as the ignorance of others on the topic, yes even doctors unfortenently. There is a GS forumn you should take a look at. Alot of people on there talking about what has worked for them. Even though doctors won't admit GS plays a role in these symptoms aside from jaundicing you'll see that everyone is experiencing the same thing. I'm currenlty going to school in research biology hoping to someday be able to work on finding a cure for this "benign" yet extrememly dibilitating disease. Nothing would mean more than to help people rid of this disease and be able to live out there life as was intended. Love you all! GL!

    • Posted

      I just saw this topic. I don't know if all members are still around this forum because the first post is 3 years old. But Anthony post is just a few days old.

      I have those symptoms from first post. All I can say is that I fell really bad now. It even seems like my body gets heave sometimes and I'm going do fall or something.

      I think it is a dental problem. But I'm feeling so bad that I'm afraid of going to the dentist. I feel that pressure, but it is not really behind the eyes, but on my case, it is on the upper jaw and nose maybe. I have seen videos where a doctors say a hidden dental infection could cause the most weird stuff on someones body. There is even a video called "Tratamento de canal pode causar graves doenças - Dr. J. Mercola", it is in english, but has portuguese subtitles, so the name in portuguese... There he says a woman was on wheelchair cause of a tooth with only a treated rotten canal, then she removed the whole teeth and got better.

  • Posted

    Sounds about the same with me but notice no jaundice.I will look closer to see but it seems to be mostly when on internet reading then progress to falling asleep sitting up sometimes as long as 2-3 hours before I wake and I do have COPD and while taking a breathing treatment it's happened  been going on for about 4 weeks. Thought I was just not getting enough sleep.But I sleep about 6-8 hours solid thanks for the information. Will have to get doctors appt.

  • Posted

    I know this was posted a while ago but I see a few people also relating and suffering from this. I too have suffered from it for a while, as well as other symptoms but before those other symptoms appeared, it was just that heavy eye feeling. 

    These feelings of fatigue are always caused by a combination of chronic infections. Mine are ricketsia, chlamydia pneumonia and mycoplasma pneumonia. The reason they get worse when stressed or anxious is because the immune system and the strength of the body to keep it under control is compromised. I'll put a link in this thread for an informative video if you're interested in learning more, but that's your answer!

  • Posted

    Hello,

    i wonder der how many of you have had the problem investigated and finally come up with the correct diagnosis. My investigations led to many many tests and eventually in Oct2014 I was diagnosed with Parkinson's and have responded well to treatment. 

    Bad ad hand of cards, even got dismissed from work because of it and have taken legal steps for a remedy as well. But exercise, and fight tenaciously to live life , I took up music and have gone a bit over the top with it but there you go - Parkinsons.

  • Posted

    Hello,

    I can claim i'v read all old and new topics here thank you all for sharing this information ,i'm having the same issue from almost 4 years ,feeling sleepy while i'm driving i can not open my eyes sometimes by force to reach my destination or i have to stop the car to take some nap ...i have to.... 

    Shortly i didn't leave any test just to check what i have ,,,, anyhow everything is normal ,,,, then i start counting on my self ,,, checking when i'm getting this symptom, when , after what .... anyway till today i couldn't find the main reason or find some medicine but i can say very clear its because of some kind of food ,,,,,, but i didn't discover what type of food or ingredients but i'm the right way ...

    Why i linked it to food ... because i noticed when i'm fasting or not having my breakfast i can run (work)the whole day without any problems... the moment i eat just 5 to 10 minutes i can not open my eyes ,,,,,,specially beetroot ,bread sometimes , not all kind of chocolate ,Dark Chocolate fine ,,, rice sometimes , 

    and recently i start getting dry mouth and dry eyes as well ,,,, only at night or when i sleep anytime ,,,, this issue i noticed comes only when i have late dinner but if i make effort ,like walking long distance , gym etc i don't get this issue at all,,,,

    Just i wanted to share my experience with all of you , and i hope someone will find solution for this annoying problem....

    Thank You  

     

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