Fatigue

This may seem like a really basic question, but do you guys get exhausted when you are flaring--or even on the road to remission. I AM SO TIRED and i haven't even had to go to work yet, i have just been running to and from the bathroom and i feel like i have run a marathon!! i feel way more tired than i usually do...

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katie
23
diagnosed with cecal volvulus, 2006; two colon resections in the same year
diagnosed with colitis 2007
malrotated colon
no cecal valve, removed during surgery
gastritis

VSL #3
Amitriptyline to slow gastric emptying
Forvia
compazine

I am always tired! I've had my thyroid checked, tried vitamins, etc. Still exhausted!

Do a search at the top of the page. This question comes up every couple of days...you may find some good info in old posts.

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Tabitha (Tab)

100mg Azathioprine, 2 Fibercon, Colazal-6 a day, Acidopholis Pearls, Prilosec OTC

http://www.healingwell.com/donate
Co-Moderator UC Forum

yes...gauranteed.

But for "me" it always happens after eating something like sugar (candy, cakes, sodas, fruit juices, etc.), breads, too many starches or milk. I have also discovered that exercise (light jogging or 15+ minutes on a stationary bike, etc.) helps to reduce the recovery time so you might want to give that a try. If you do decide to follow a "safe diet", it could take a few days to a week before you notice an increase in your energy levels...you should feel better but never quite 100%.

NBT

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Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis January 2007

Fatigue is common. If you're having multiple bathroom trips a day, make sure you're getting adequate fluids back in to prevent dehydration. If you're bleeding, have your doc check your iron and hemoglobin levels. If you're anemic, you can request iron IV transfusions which can make a huge difference. B12 shots can be helpful, too.

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Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis spring 1999

I am always tired while flaring...at any stage...

Whenever I eat anything I feel like I can't keep my eyes open. It could just be a banana and by the time I'm half way done I need a nap.

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Kelly, 29

Left sided UC diagnosed 1/98 age 19, Pan colitis diagnosed 1/07
Currently on 4x3 Asacol, Rowasa every other night, down to 15 mg pred.
75mg Imuran starting 8/23/07---fingers crossed!
Prontonix once daily for acid reflux, zofran twice daily for nausea

Yes it obviously goes hand in hand. Between the meds, all the trips to the bathroom, thinking about it every waking moment of the day, and if you're sleeping only about an hour or so and keep getting up for the bathroom it is so wearing.

Anemia, low iron etc also impacts it. For the past 3-4 weeks the iron pills, B12 shots, many less bathroom trips and maybe the Imuran finally starting to do its job there is a noticeable difference in his energy. He is not falling asleep at the drop of a hat from exhaustion only to wake up an hour or less later for the bathroom.
As things improve hopefully the fatigue will disappear for you.

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60 yr old male~Colitis 1st diagnosed Jan '05-cleared up within a few wks. Flared again in May '06 ... left sided UC now, fully involved and trying to get in remission. Acute inflammation-pancolitis-tenesmus rectal pain-granulation is showing some healing started. Osteopena of spine from prednisone DX 8/07  July 07 good days & bad days 75mg Imuran 40  mg prednisone (tapering 8/07) 12 Asacol, Lidocaine Hydrochloride Jelly 2%,multi vitamin, iron 3X day, DanActive, chewable calcium, Prilosec 20mg, enalapril 10mg, glipizide 5 mg, zocor 20 mg, baby aspirin, (Fentanyl pain patch 50mg 72 hrs  Morphine Sulf 15 mg twice daily)Colocourt enemas at night. Fosamax and mthly B12 shots folic acid 1mg

Yup, yup, yup! I'm CONSTANTLY tired. It seems no matter how much sleep I get, I can still use a nap!

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Pan-colitis and GERD diagnosed May 2003

 

Asacol 12 per day,  Azathioprine 75mg, Rowasa and Canasa as needed

Aciphex, Effexor XR, BCP, Rhinocort nasal spray

Culturelle, Biotin, Folic Acid, Forvia, Calcium, and B12

 

Osteopenia (hip and spine) from prednisone use.  Started Azathioprine because I was steroid dependent.

 

Co-Mod for the UC forum

Keep HealingWell running smoothly:  www.healingwell.com/donate

I know....I find that so bizarre. So strange how rest and sleep does not provide the normal effect it is supposed to have. I wonder why that is the case.

He will sleep for hours and wake up as if he didn't sleep and is as tired as when he went to bed. Some days he goes to sleep in the middle of the afternoon for 3-4 hours and wake up for dinner only to have to get back to bed. It is better right now as he seems to be getting back some energy and is a little less fatigued. Not sure if it is the remission that seems to be occurring or the iron and B12 or combination thereof.

May it continue!

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60 yr old male~Colitis 1st diagnosed Jan '05-cleared up within a few wks. Flared again in May '06 ... left sided UC now, fully involved and trying to get in remission. Acute inflammation-pancolitis-tenesmus rectal pain-granulation is showing some healing started. Osteopena of spine from prednisone DX 8/07  July 07 good days & bad days 75mg Imuran 40  mg prednisone (tapering 8/07) 12 Asacol, Lidocaine Hydrochloride Jelly 2%,multi vitamin, iron 3X day, DanActive, chewable calcium, Prilosec 20mg, enalapril 10mg, glipizide 5 mg, zocor 20 mg, baby aspirin, (Fentanyl pain patch 50mg 72 hrs  Morphine Sulf 15 mg twice daily)Colocourt enemas at night. Fosamax and mthly B12 shots folic acid 1mg

Yes I'm tired now I was tired 2hrs ago..... I'm always bloody tired and like everyone else I'm completely sick of it

B4 I was diagnosed Nov06 I was always tired, even as a kid my favourite thing to do is sleep,i grew out of it 4 a bit but it was my bodies reaction to constant fatigue and my thyroid went bananas on me, the only thing that has ever come remotely close to helping is a strict diet, plenty of protein, vegies but on a wk rotation(so no same vege in the 1 wk) lots of water, vitamins, and keep a check on iron. Needless to say I'm not on this diet at the moment I've just had surgery and I'm all over the place. Not tomention how rediculously hard it is to stick too.

If you find something that helps let us in on the secret ha good luck. It sucks but I'm not sure there is a solution

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27yr old female

I am so tired too. I have been flaring, and I am supposed to go back to school on Monday, but I am just not ready. I missed three weeks of class, and my professors are expecting me to come back completely caught up, but I am still really far behind. I just want to quit so badly, but my parents won't let me. I'm just too tired to deal with it all.

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"Of one thing I am certain, the body is not the measure of healing - peace is the measure. ~George Melton~"

Current Meds include: Purinethol, Colazal, Prednisone, and Remicade

jellybean...is it possible to put a course or two on hold to take at a later time? It will take longer to get the degree obviously but you probably can only handle one or two courses max while ill if you can even do that.

Would a detailed doctor's note help to intervene in a situation like this? I'm sure these kind of things must come up from time to time.

If a professor or two was afflicted with something like this or some in school administration there would be a better understanding and remedy for these cases. It would kind of be a good thing if something like this could be classified in a "disabilities" arena then there would be regulations and rules that would need to be followed and be to your advantage.

Maybe there are some on the board here who have some suggestions for you.

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60 yr old male~Colitis 1st diagnosed Jan '05-cleared up within a few wks. Flared again in May '06 ... left sided UC now, fully involved and trying to get in remission. Acute inflammation-pancolitis-tenesmus rectal pain-granulation is showing some healing started. Osteopena of spine from prednisone DX 8/07  July 07 good days & bad days 75mg Imuran 40  mg prednisone (tapering 8/07) 12 Asacol, Lidocaine Hydrochloride Jelly 2%,multi vitamin, iron 3X day, DanActive, chewable calcium, Prilosec 20mg, enalapril 10mg, glipizide 5 mg, zocor 20 mg, baby aspirin, (Fentanyl pain patch 50mg 72 hrs  Morphine Sulf 15 mg twice daily)Colocourt enemas at night. Fosamax and mthly B12 shots folic acid 1mg

Hey jellybean. Have you considered going to the office of disability and asking for help? If you bring in a doctors note they can help you with the extra time you may need and any proffessors that give you a hard time. Its hard to have this disease and be in college. I did it off and on for 10 years. I agree with UC wife...be aware of what you can handle. maybe 1 or 2 classes until you are feeling better. It's still early, could you drop a class?

The first time I haad to drop a class because ofUC I was so scared to talk to my parents about it but they just wanted me to feel better. Your health should be top priority. school will still be there.

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Kelly, 29

Left sided UC diagnosed 1/98 age 19, Pan colitis diagnosed 1/07
Currently on 4x3 Asacol, Rowasa every other night, down to 15 mg pred.
75mg Imuran starting 8/23/07---fingers crossed!
Prontonix once daily for acid reflux, zofran twice daily for nausea

yes, I am exhausted right now, I have been in a really bad flare for a couple of weeks and am losing blood every trip to the bathroom (15x a day) and I am so very tired. I just started the enema's on wednesday and am hoping this will help. I never thought I would feel as bad as I did when I first got sick, I can fall asleep so easily and I am on 60mgs of prednisone a day.....

My husband was going to take me to this really nice restaurant tonite for my bday that I am dying to go to but I am so tired, I'd rather go there when I have a lot of energy and am feeling well. So I am going to go to another local restaurant that I love that isn't as $$$. I know I should go to the nice place and it would probably help me to feel better, but I want to go there when I know I can really enjoy myself.

Jelly I am so sorry to hear what is going on...try to stay in school if you can. With the whole insurance aspect maybe that's why your parents don't want you to quit are you still on their insurance? The meds can be so expensive, when I was first dx'd my ins. at my new co. hadn't started yet and I spent $3k in 3 mos. I hope you can get through it!!!

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Beth, 31