Can jet lag be this bad??
 

Im 59, got back last Sat. to east coast after 9 days in Italy. Earlier this week I was geting up too early. Last few days it's hard to get up. Yesterday and today I've felt spacey, depressed and had some slight double vision <BR>Has anyone else had long lasting jet lag??

Well there are two options: <BR>1) assume it's jet lag and will go away within the next 3-4 days <BR>2) start ruling out possible pathologic disease processes by getting a colonoscopy, rectal exam, blood tests, chest x-ray, psychiatric inventory, treadmill stress test.... <BR> <BR>I'd opt for #1. <BR> <BR>And, yes, if 'return to workaday' stress, seasonal change (warming weather) and other issues are factored in, jet lag symptoms can take a week to play out. Get plenty of fluids, exercise each day, cut greasy/fatty foods out of your diet, make sure you allow yourself plenty of time for sleep at night, cut stressors out of evening home life so as to allow your brain to reestablish sleep patterns.

Charles-this doesn't sound like jet lag to me. The first few days, getting up too early, sounds about right. But now, you simply sound ill. Get to the doctor, quickly.

I have found that coming back from Europe leaves me with worse jet lag than going over. Several of my friends report the same condition. I have not had the double vision experience, but I have felt lethargic and not quite with it for several days after returning. <BR> <BR>I think some of the problem might be that I leave Europe in the afternoon and arrive home about midnight EDT or slightly thereafter. Compared to Europe, I am getting to bed about the time I had been getting up. I was not out in the sun light, thus my body had a minimal chance to reset my internal clock. <BR> <BR>Going over, I leave in the late afternoon or early evening and arrive in the morning. I am out and about as if I had slept poorly, but I am still getting up in the morning and going to bed at night on a normal sun cycle. Scientific research at Cornell University indicates a high correlation between sunlight exposure and the body's ability to adjust to time changes. <BR> <BR>I think also that motivation plays a role. When I arrive, I am ready to start my adventures in Europe. Coming home, I am returning to the same problems I just left behind, and they are still there, ugly as ever. <BR>I have no answers except to get involved in something that will get you active. <BR>Not having had the double vision problem, I am not sure what to say. <BR>Certainly if it persists you should remove any doubt that you have a "bad news" underlying cause.

Most of your symptoms are consistent with jetlag, but double vision is cause for concern (not alarm, but concern). Please see a doctor just to be on the safe side.

Dr Z's advice is sound. Being a desert dweller, I know the signs of dehydration, and what you're experiencing sounds like that. Drink lots more water; 7-Up/Sprite helps replace electrolytes (sports drinks do also, just water them down a lot); eat bananas (potassium hit). Add a *little* more salt to your diet (that doesn't mean Slim Jims) for a couple of days.

It could be jet lag - I've been through similar long-lasting problems, but PLEASE call your doctor, just to be sure. The double vision thing is very worrying, and your doctor should know about this. Promise us you'll call. And tell us what happens. We are, after all, a close knit bunch of contentious travel freaks...

Hi Charles, I tend to agree with Elvira. I think it is dehydration(being from very Hotlanta). Rehydrate big time, lots of fruit, whole grains and pickle juice. Yes, I said pickle juice! Down here in the South, a lot of college football teams(Bob UGA too) are using pickle juice as a hydration/electrolyte restorer. If that does not cure you, call the Doc in the Box. Judy :-)

I've always had a much easier time with jet lag coming back to the US. When I go over, I have the usual problem of not being able to get to sleep at night. But as I'm usually going to visit family and friends, not touring, sleeping late isn't really that big of a problem. <BR> <BR>But when I come back to the US, the only thing that happens is that I wake up early--maybe 5 a.m. or so.

Thank you all for your concern. I failed to mention that I have a case of strabismus (crossed eyes) so I believe that my double vision--which is better today-is just from the accumulation of stress of re-entry plus my overly sensitive nervous system. I have spoken toi my PCP and he tells me that some people take 2 days per hour of change--so I'm probably on that end of the curve.

Glad to hear you talked to your doctor. I have absolutely no problem going over to Europe (the anticipation and general feeling of being released from the purgatory of the American workplace help to reduce any negative side effects), but coming home I'm a basket case, particularly since I started taking the late afternoon flights home to give myself the advantage of every last hour in Europe. I came home a week ago, and for four days by 3 in the afternoon felt as though there were a large, heavy metal boot bearing down on my brain. For me, too, there is a certain "depression" associated with being back in the US - back to work, back to the laundry, back to paperwork, back to the ratrace in general, all of which is so different from my life in France. It's hard to readjust no matter what your circumstances. But double vision would be a scare for me, and I'm glad you checked it out. Drink lots of water and work at getting back on a normal sleep schedule (you have one? lucky you!)

Hope you're feeling better soon, Charles! Your jet lag sounds very, very familiar. I can come back and feel fine for two days, then it seems like it all catches up to me and all I want to do is sleep for three days! (and NOT talk to anyone; ) Once I've had enough sleep I'm usually OK. <BR>Now, the "travel fever" problem that has me planning another trip before I take my next scheduled one...that seems to be permanent.

Except for the double vision, you have described my week exactly - back to Los Angeles after 11 days in Tuscany. I though I was going crazy. I didn't think spacey & depressed would be part of jet lag.

Next time try NO JET-LAG; it's a homepathic preparation sold in many airports all over the world (It's from New Zealand; there's even a web-site www.nojetlag.com). The pills come in a blue & white box, cost about US $13. The instructions are to chew one tablet every two hours but if you are sleeping & miss one it's ok too. I have used these many times and they work for me. There's no melatonin or any of that stuff in. Check the web-site. I am not connected to this product in any way and am not into homeopathic. After using these pills I still felt tired etc. but did not have that "hit the wall" feeling and was able to function. Give it a try!

The best 'cure' for Jetlag ( impractical as it is for most people ) is to get yourself a job working shifts. I used to work as a Mainframe Computer Operator working 12 hour shifts days & nights & overtime in a very irregular pattern. This made my trans Atlantic vacations from the UK to the USA much easier as far as jet lag is concerned.

I find melatonin works very well, otherwise I get 3 days of hell.Not for sale in most of Europe. <BR>NB-the "no jet lag" product mentioned earlier is not homeopathic, its herbal,comtains chamomile & sleepy herbs.Never tried it.