Am I just really rubbish, or could there be something medical happening here?

Hi everyone, I’m a 28-year-old female who has always struggled with waking up in the morning. It’s not just a mild annoyance; it’s becoming a serious issue in my life. I exercise regularly, eat well, and barely drink, yet I cannot seem to control my wake-up time. For example, I’m a heavy sleeper who needs about 10 hours of sleep, but I often turn off my alarm while asleep and later have no memory of doing it. Just today, I missed a very important appointment that I was looking forward to because I slept through it. This isn’t about avoiding responsibilities—I genuinely wanted to go. Could there be a medical reason for this, or am I just bad at mornings?

It’s always a good idea to get checked out by a doctor to rule out any underlying issues.

Luca said:
It’s always a good idea to get checked out by a doctor to rule out any underlying issues.

Are there specific conditions related to this? I’m not even sure what to ask my doctor.

@Lin
Extreme fatigue can be a symptom of many conditions. It might be worthwhile to request a full blood panel during your next visit to pinpoint any deficiencies or abnormalities.

Definitely speak with a healthcare professional. It sounds like it might be worth investigating sleep apnea or similar disorders. Remember, if it’s impacting your daily life, it’s significant enough to warrant a medical opinion.

@Zeke
I’m not familiar with all the symptoms of sleep apnea, but I’ll look into it. Thanks for the advice!

Lin said:
@Zeke
I’m not familiar with all the symptoms of sleep apnea, but I’ll look into it. Thanks for the advice!

Educating yourself is great, but don’t hesitate to consult a professional. Sleep apnea is just one possibility; there are many different factors that could be affecting your sleep.

It could be something medical, but it’s also worth considering whether your sleep hygiene aligns with your needs. Are you consistently getting to bed early enough to achieve 10 hours of sleep? If so, and you’re still struggling, definitely discuss this with your doctor.

Your symptoms might be influenced by hormonal imbalances, especially since they worsen around your period. Discuss this with your gynecologist as well as your general physician to explore all possible angles.

Maybe try adjusting your sleep environment and routines further—like setting multiple alarms, using a sleep tracking app to analyze your sleep patterns, or even a different kind of pillow. Sometimes small changes can make a big difference.