Fatigue

[robbo87]

I've been having quite a bad flare recently and amongst the usual symptoms the fatigue is probably the one that is getting to me the most. How do people best cope/control the tiredness? The last month or so i've had to spend every weekend stuck in the house because i've felt so crappy and shattered its been impossible to even think about going out and seeing friend's. I'm practically falling asleep at work and this afternoon i felt like a nap and ended up waking up hours later still feeling groggy! It's starting to completley take over my life again

 

[BigUglyCat]

Robbou, are you taking any supplements or things like Ensure or even Gatorade to help keep up your energy levels. I find that when I am really dragging, these help without causing too much pain.

Otherwise, learning to allow yourself the rest you need is important. I'm really big on humorous movies to keep my spirits up without having to move around (ala Norman Cousins). It helps keep my mind off the pain and gives me something to "do", laugh!

 

[BigUglyCat]

sorry, typo on your name....

 

[robbo87]

I have tried Ensure and it didn't really agree with me. Never given gatorade a go so ill try that next. I do drink lucozade when im at work to try and keep me going but that tend's to give me stomach ache.

I think a funny movie is definatley on the cards later!

 

[Absentminded]

Hey Robbo,

Sorry to hear you're feeling crap.
Have you had your iron or B12 levels checked? If you're anemic, that can make you feel tired and sluggish.
I get b12 injections at my GPs. You could have a word with them, or if you have one your IBD nurse.

 

[robbo87]

I don't think they've been checked lately. Earlier this year i did have to take ferrous sulphate due to becoming sligtly aneamic but then got told to stop. Never been asked about b12 but ill certainly be asking my ibd nurse when i see her next. Thanks for the info

 

[BLM]

Hey Rob, your not alone man!! I cant seem to shake it, I feel like crap all day....most days. So exhausted, and NO energy at all....achy and irritable. Ive been flaring all year, so this has been my norm....FATIGUE, FATIGUE AND MORE FATIQUE.....the only thing I really found to help was something called Provigil, which is a perscription here in the US. However the drug becomes highly addictive, so use for short times in dyer need is best. But otherwise just rest where you can and do what you HAVE to.

 

[countrycoffeehouse]

I am in the same boat. So tired all the time. Then when I force myself to function I end up wiped out for days.. I am anemic and have super low red blood cell count. staying hydrated is so important. gatoraide is amazing for me and I drink 946ml a day of it.. then I drink water.. My brain will feel slow and then after a gatoraide I think clearer.. if that makes sense..

 

[Jessica]

My b12 and iron levels are on the low side, but I still have tired spells here and there. They seem to come and go with my symptoms. The only thing that sometimes helps me is to get in some exercise. I sleep better (deeper?) after a 5 or 10 mile bike ride. Or even some yard work if I'm nervous about straying from a potty.

I also agree with BigUglyCat. Doing those things that I love (yard work & bike riding or whatever) helps too. Also, I'll make a promise to myself not to think or speak about my Crohn's for a day while I call friends and family and think about other things in life. Do you have any comedy theaters around you? Those do the trick too, and sometimes cheap.

Good luck <3

 

[Kegsworth]

Yogurt and gatorade are my keys to managing fatigue. Yogurt is a good source for calcium and the "good bacteria" that most crohny's are missing out on, plus the live cultures break down the lactose so it's safe for those of us who are lactose intolerant. Gatorade keeps me hydrated and replenishes the electrolytes that most of us lack. I also run 2 miles every morning that I can because it regulates bowel movements and redirects blood from the gut to other parts of the body. Doesn't help with the fatigue on that particular day, but with a good routine you'll sleep better and notice the difference after a few days.

 

[Trev]

hi Guys, thinking of trying ensure for fatigue, does anyone know if this really works, i had it before,years back. but not for fatigue. i also had pains when i had it without food, would double me over. bloods are fine and B12 doesnt seem to do anything for me.

 

[Jennjenn]

Your iron can also show borderline but your ferritin levels (iron storage) can be extremely low. A lot of times that is not checked with routine blood work. I am seeing a new specialist since the summer and I have been getting a lot of iron infusions. The specialist said that taking iron pills can cause inflamation also and they are hard to digest. Therefore she gives the infusions instead. My numbers are slowly going up but I also have the fatigue still. I hope that you find some way to gain more energy throughout the day.

 

[SonWithCrohns]

I'm a little late posting on this ... hope it still helps. My son, Devin usually ends up having iron infusions about every nine months. He gets so fatigued and short of breath, from having low iron, and low iron stores (trans ferrin) The pills don't work because he can't absorb them. I actually have to keep reminding his GI to check his iron with his regular three month blood work. Not sure why he doesn't associate the low iron with his Crohn's ....but I'm on it!!
I would suggest that anyone who has serious fatigue to get their blood level for iron checked. Hemoglobin levels would also be low. If all it takes is one day hanging out in the hospital to feel much better for nine months, I think checking is worth it.

 

[Nytefyre]

I also have issues with fatigue and such. rbc, hgb, and hct levels are low. Ferritin level super low, so I start iron infusions again on Thursday, every Thursday for two months. Last year, I had the infusions for around 3 months, starting off at once a week, then going to monthly maintenance. I was feeling so good that I stopped going to the hematologist. 6 months later, I'm back on the infusions.

 

[CDDad]

I had fatigue for years due to Crohn's and anemia from constant bleeding in the bowel. The last two years before my surgery, I just lay on the couch a lot. Well, that's been cured now due to my Proctocolectomy. I certainly don't recommend surgery but it did finally cure me (at least for now). Yesterday I ran 3 miles, and today I'm doing 8 for my long run. I could not even imagine this back in my sick years.

I just post this to show what can be achived once the flairing and anemia is under control. This desease sucks.

 

[Awbrey]

I have fatigue really bad as well, I started on Garden of Life Vitamins you can find them on line or a health food store and even Fred Meyers. I do feel much better when I take them just an idea, hope you feel better soon ;-)