Is Fatigue Like This Normal?

[BlackButterflies]

Hi everyone

I am a 26 year old that was experiencing rectal bleeding for seven months before I was able to get in to a GI specialist. After the initial basic scope he scheduled me a month later for the full colonoscopy and informed me that I have Crohn's. All throughout this time I was still working at a physical labour job in industry, and working out on average 5 days a week.

My bloodwork showed that I was very low on many vitamins and minerals, but not anemic, so he told me to use the following supplements as well as prescribed the following medications:
B12, D, SISU brand Multivitamin and Maxi-Cal, MCT oil, Cod liver oil, Omega Oils, Flora Probiotic 50 billion
Salofalk - 500mg (once a day)
Mezavant - 1.2g (four a day)

For diet I am very lactose intolerant, and he told me to cut out corn, and wheat as well. I have been on a diet of oatmeal, white rice, white meats, steamed/pureed vegetables and fruits with no skins.

It has been four weeks I have been following this and my fatigue level has gone through the roof. At work I was moved from my typical physical labour job to a full office light duty job, to now staying home sleeping virtually all day. Why am I so incredibly tired? Is this normal? My symptoms have definitely improved with the bleeding almost completely stopped. I am going to see the GI in a few weeks and am hoping something will give - fatigue isn't a symptom of these meds but why wasn't I feeling this way before? It's frustrating and I need to get back to my life and my work.

If anyone could shed some light on this or give me any suggestions for things to try or do I would very much appreciate it!

Cheers

 

[Hopefullx3]

Just having this illness over the last 17 years has been draining on me. I am exhausted all the time as well. I dont sleep well because of my joint and muscle pain but even when I do sleep I am exhausted. I am off work now on sick leave and I use to work over 40 hours a week which was exhausting. The minute I got in the door I had to lay down and sleep, which is hard with 3 kids that need me at that time of day. I was told it was normal for me to be so tired because my body is going through so much, it takes alot out of us at times to do the smallest thing. I explain to people that having crohns is like having the flu everyday and when you have the flu your tired and feel unwell. I dont think this helps but just know you are not alone on this.

 

[mish2575]

How are your iron levels? My fatigue, after I started treatment for Crohn's was due to low iron.

 

[wild_one353]

here are some scientific studies on the matter of fatigue in IBD. These were a couple of different studies providing slightly different results but overall, it seem to be true that anywhere from 20-40% of IBD patients suffer fatigue regardless of remission status.

More than 40% of the IBD patients in remission suffered from fatigue.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12809832

Fatigue was prevalent in 26.4% of 220 subjects.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24612278

Subjects with CD had more muscle fatigue than matched healthy controls and this correlated well with self-reported fatigue. Of circulating factors that were independently associated with increased muscle fatigue, vitamin D, magnesium and IGF-1 could be targeted in future studies to reduce fatigue and improve physical performance.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23938210


After accounting for known factors of fatigue in IBD like Vitamin D, Iron, B12 or magnesium deficit, it is just part of a lesser understood symptom of IBD. From other science we now have, the fatigue may be a result of changes in bacteria or oxidative stress or both. Taking a probiotic may help a bit as well as foods and herbs high in antioxidants. Extra fiber may also help, bacteria create energy out of the fiber component of foods, and we are low in all types of good bacteria, this may be another way our energy can get so low, we cannot extract it all from our foods due to damaged bacteria in the gut.

 

[BlackButterflies]

Many thanks everyone. It does help very much to know I am not alone or simply crazy.

I am going to get my iron and vitamin/min levels checked again to see how things are standing and make sure I am not missing anything in my diet.

I appreciate the links as well!

 

[mish2575]

How is your general health, weight? cholesterol? How is your diet?

It could help to make sure they are all ideal. I have recently gotten body strong (working out and lost 50lbs) and have much more energy.

 

[BlackButterflies]

I am sitting around 125 pounds, very athletic. Cholesterol is ideal. Diet is mentioned above.

 

[mallowpufft]

If it wasn't for caffeine, I'd be in bed an awful lot...
I go through spells with my exhaustion/fatigue. Last summer I was working part time laying concrete and would work 3-4 12 hour days each week for three weeks but the fourth week it was all I could do to not go straight back to bed after my morning shower and then I'd be fine.
I made it most of the winter without issue but it's probably for the best that I haven't had a job for the past three weeks as I only have about three hours a day of full productivity in me right now and the rest of the day is moving a lot slower.