Help. Fatigue and insomnia.

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DJW

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I just don't get it. Most days I'm 15 minutes away from a 4 hour nap. Thought maybe Imuran was a contributing factor. I moved my dose to the evening. Last couple days I'm doing everything I can to not sleep during the day. Now I've got bad insomnia again.

Thoughts? Comments? Help?
 
Fatigue is very common with IBD, especially if you are in a flare. Your body is using up huge amounts of energy just working to heal itself, plus of course your immune system is over active as it is (given that Crohn's is an immune system disease).

As for the insomnia, that's a pretty common side effect for many of the medications used to treat CD. Some of the medications are almost worse than the disease.

Unfortunately you're describing a situation many of us face - I don't have a good answer for you other than once your body adjusts to the medication, and you get out of the flare, the fatigue often subsides, as does the insomnia. Unfortunately it can take time.
 
I too am always up for a good 4 hour nap. Fortunately, I am not working and can do it. I take melatonin at night, sometimes benadryl. I have just come to accept that I have a low energy level. I try to get exercise when I am up though, if I can.
 
I'm also not working right now.

Sometimes wonder if that is part of the issue. I want to work but am currently not much use to an employer. It does add a restlessness to the equation.
 
In addition to the above, you might have your ferritin and B12 levels checked. If these are low you will feel extreme fatigue.
 
The only thing I'm low on is B12. I get a shot every other month.
 
I hear you! I've been in gut-symptom remission for years, but still struggle with ongoing fatigue and messed up sleep schedules! (Will be getting a bunch of labs in the next week or so, but not expecting anything to show up - historically, there's never been a "reason" anyone could find.)

... I've given up caffeine (tapered myself off of it 2 and a half months ago now), changing my diet to focus on "real foods", etc...

Are you flaring now? Able to exercise gently? I think exercise has helped me in the past, and I really need to get back to it... when I find some energy... Fatigue is such a vicious cycle!
 
Thank you everyone.

I am flaring. And I have not walked at all for a few days. Guess I better get doing that starting this morning.
 
Well I slept better last night. I walked this morning so hopefully Ican make it two in a row .
 

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