Crohns Severe Fatigue or Could it be Depression?

Hello All,

I have posted here before and you all are great.  No one else understands what I go through because they don't have this awful disease.  I just feel so tired all the time.  The past few days have been even worse.  I don't even feel like taking a shower or moving off the couch.  I have been out of work since Aug due to crohns and waiting for surgery for fistula.  I am just wondering if all this fatigue is coming from the crohns or if I could be depressed.  I am taking Cymbalta for muscle aches and pains and trazodone for sleep.  I don't feel depressed but just don't feel like doing anything.  Do any of you experience this?  I need to go back to work but cannot handle the load due to pain and fatigue. I also have 3 kids in lots of activities at school.  Please help.  My fistulas are rectovaginal.  Sometimes I can eat and other times I have severe nausea and cannot.  I am having diarrhea 2-3 days followed by a day of constipation like feeling.  This disease is horrible.

I'm sorry you're feeling so awful. Crohn's sucks, there's no way around it. Your fatigue could be from many things, but if you don't feel depressed, I would say that you're not. I know that for me having nausea is the absolute worst and just makes my body feel completely out of whack.  It sounds like you've been pretty sick for a long time and that can be bringing your energy levels way down. Also, after even a few weeks of taking it easy, it can be harder to jump back into life and having enough energy to get through the day. You could try adding just a little bit of activity every day to see if it gradually gets easier. Also make sure your diet is as balanced as possible and you're getting enough nutrition even when you're not eating. Definitely talk to your doctor about the fatigue. I hope you start feeling better soon!

I agree with Zanne. This disease by itself can cause severe fatigue. I know when I am in a flare I just lay around with my heating pad and snooze alot. If you are concerned with depression I think you should contact your doctor. But in my opinion the disease is usually the culprit. Feel better!

So sry to hear that your very tired. But is common with Crohn's I was diagnosed in May of 1996 had the valve that seperates the large and small intestines removed. I went to the bathroom at first 30 to 50 times a day....Went to a specialist and they could not give me a answer as to how to stop going to the bathroom so much..So I experimented...10 lb bag of raw potatoes every other day and a loaf of bread daily.....(NO JOKE)...put the pounds on from 145 to 180 quickly back then...lol (wonder why) but was a to not go to bathroom for couple of days a week which I believed back then helped me. but anyway met some Dr.'s which to me I thank GOD for, only go to bathroom maybe 4 times daily now and with no medications.

 I am diagnosed due to Crohns with RH arthiritis, panic attacks which have finally calmed down. Kidney stones shattered 12 times due to Calcium not absorbing into intestines and passed around 200 without surgery. B-12 deficiancy due to Crohns (take shots)High cholestorol and triglicerides.

What have I gained from this after 12 yrs. I thank God for each morning that he gives me even though I have this disease. I know that it will always be with me but I could be worse off than I am. I've learned to take each day just like a new day with the disease on what I eat or drink because even though you ate this or that the disease changes you body daily. I have seen over the years that losing weight can make you feel worse than gaining weight and gaining more weight can make you feel sick. I have learned that depression triggers the Crohns worse than anything else. I learned that even after passing 200 stones and 12 times shattered Kidney Stones still hurt like hell. I learned that dairy products trigger the bowel movements and drinking carbonated drinks or anything with caffine. I could go on and on but shall close with this.

 I've been through depression, tiredness,and everything else you can imagine. I've cussed, ranted, raved and banged my head against the wall. But I've always thanked GOD for each day because I read and also see so many people worse off than I am. THEN I REALIZE I'M NOT PUNISHED I'M FORTUNATE BECAUSE HE openED MY EYES AT WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN OR COULD BE....AND I TELL HIM THANK YOU FOR EACH DAY.

I'm so sorry you don't feel well. I'm a mental health therapist, but much more importantly, I also have Crohn's. From my therapist perspective, I can tell you that the vast majority of people with long term chronic illness suffer with some form of depression...how could you not! Chrohn's is an auto-immune disease that in and of itself causes fatigue, but when you don't feel well, can't work, and are tired, it is very depressing. Antidepressant medication help with the symptoms like weepiness, sleep disturbance, irritability, etc. Psychotherapy helps you gain perspective, allow yourself to grieve and process your losses, learn coping and stress management skills, and re-frame your life so that you find value and meaning, perhaps in a different way than before you were sick. Definitely talk to your doctor, and consider therapy, and so it immediately if you have any suicidal thoughts!

Believe it or not, I personally have lousy insurance, and don't have mental health coverage. With the cost of my Crohn's meds, I can't afford to see a therapist for myself, but I would in a heartbeat if I could. Even though I'm a therapist myself, I hurt and struggle too. This forum is my lifesaver, though...and free! Good luck.

Thank you all so much for your support and suggestions. I do feel it is a combo of both depression and the crohns. I have had my CBC checked but not my iron count lately. I have had low iron in the past. I have never been checked for specific vitamin deficiencies. My diet does need to improve. I eat what I feel like I can. I eat alot of mashed potatoes, baked potatoes and soaps. You all have been great. Thanks again

Depression is a possibility, but you said you were on cymbalta, right? I thought that was an antidepressant. It might be a good idea for you to have your vitamins and minerals checked and to talk to your docs about the feelings. I too am VERY tired all of the time, but as far as I know I am not in a flare. I have a light case of Crohn's so I don't flare as bad as most people. I also have a light case of sleep apnea that needs a C-pap when I am stressed. I aslo have a history of depression. Right now I think my symptoms of sleep problems, fibromyalgia, Crohn's, and being obese are why I feel tired all of the time. Good luck. I hope you feel better soon!! Really, I do hope you feel better soon.