Tiredness

[humdinger27]

tiredness

Hi
I was diagnosed with crohns in January... after trying out different meds I am on Imuran 150mg a day, azathioprine.... my bowels are almost normal again and I have responded well to this treatment however; I am still exhausted. I can sleep for 12 hours or more and wake up as if I haven't slept... is this just what it's like to have crohns? Will I always be this tired? It's so discouraging I am not myself.. I normally am so energetic and happy and it's just making down in the dumps of how tired I am. Any suggestions?

 

[ontariomom]

Hi there!

Although i havent been officially dianogsised yet everyone agrees i have CD. I havent begun any treatment yet so i dont know if meds make it worse or better. But i know i have days, like today, where i could honestly sleep all day. I slept well last night for the first time in a long time. I have many days or weeks where i feel like i could sleep all the time. I do wonder if its just a symptom. I have read a little online and i am sure it listed fatigue as a symptom.

I understand, I generally have high nrg and days like today, i couldnt care less to even get drssed. Just show me the pillow!!!

I dont have any suggestions.Sorry.

 

[archie]

Hi Humdinger sorry about your diagnosis but glad your responding to meds. Have you had you vit B12 levels checked, crohnies are notoriuos for having low levels hence the fatigue, get the GP to check them and your iron levels and if low you will need to take suppliments.

 

[DustyKat]

Hi humdinger,

Where is your Crohn's located?

If you have disease in your small bowel then you may have issues with malabsorption and some chronic blood loss, this blood loss may be microscopic so something you may not have been aware of. This would have been a problem when you were flaring and if any scar tissue has developed then it may be an ongoing issue.

I would start with having blood levels done for B12, Iron Stores, folate and Vitamin D and based on the result you may need supplementation.

If this is the cause then once your disease is under control, and it sounds like your are well on your way there, addressing the problems with any deficiencies you may have should resolve the problem.

Good luck!

Dusty. xxx

 

[Jennifer]

I agree with the blood work but might as well have all vitamins checked to be on the safe side (I've heard people mention being low on Zinc and that causing issues). Another thing to consider is that your body has been fighting to become healthy and truly you were only diagnosed a few months ago so I'm sure it will take your body some time to catch up. If this is the case and its not caused by a vitamin deficiency or the medication/combination of meds then you should start perking up slowly with time. Another thing to consider is the possibility of depression as it can make people very tired. In this case you may or may not need medication but it may need to be addressed even with some therapy so you can get back to being yourself. The diagnosis and treatment can take a lot out of us so its no wonder that we'd be tired/depressed/vitamin deficient etc.