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Posted 2/18/2009 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
hi there...i've been flaring for a while now and have lost a bunch of weight...one of my main issues now is that i am so tired and weak.

luckily my job allows me to work from home SOMETIMES...but i've got to kick it back into gear.

what are some things that you eat/drink to help build your energy and strength back up?

thanks!

Mtgman

Posted 2/19/2009 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not aware of anything to eat/drink during a flare that will help build up your energy and strength. In my experience, it just takes time and patience. It will come back when your body is ready and able. I hope you feel better soon though!
Posted 2/19/2009 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I am suffering from the very same thing and the doctor just told me a few weeks ago that I should maybe take in some protein drinks. I currently use Whey Protein Vanilla (EQUATE) is the brand I use. I am Canadian so I am not sure if that helps but I am finding that my naps in the afternoon have gone from 2 - 3 hours to maybe 30 mins to an hour.

 

Posted 2/19/2009 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
I haven't figured anything out either sadly, but I'm going through the exact same thing as you are - Yesterday at work, I couldn't even hold a pen. Hopefully it'll pass quickly for you - unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be for me. Are you anemic? I am, and I know that it contributes to the tiredness/weakness.
Posted 2/19/2009 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Provigil?
Posted 2/19/2009 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
thanks guys!
not anemic...was in the er last night and bloodwork was ok- one liver enzyme a tad elevated due to meds...
i will look up provigil.
any idea what the easiest high protein foods to digest are?
i know fish would be a good one, maybe chicken...how about shrimp?
Posted 2/19/2009 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
I exersice for energy on a regular basis...eating lots of fresh fruit and veggies will also help with energy.

:)
Posted 2/19/2009 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
I agree, i eat lots and lots of fruit. only in the morning and never mixing it with anything else. for example, i may mash up a couple bananas and a couple cups of grapes. yummy my favoirte and gives me tons of energy. but everyone is different.
Posted 2/19/2009 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Throw some plain yoghart (no sugar or extra stuff) in that and you have lots of protein added. I sleep lots and find my energy is better when I have that regular. High protein boost drinks are good for nourishment and energy for me. Hope you feel better soon.
Posted 2/19/2009 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
thanks!!! are there any fruits that someone with Crohn's should not eat as is the case with vegetables?
Posted 2/19/2009 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
No mtgman, it's trial and error for each, when it comes to food and this disease we are very individualistic, no 2 exactly alike.

:)
Posted 2/19/2009 5:45 AM (GMT 0)

mtgman said...
thanks!!! are there any fruits that someone with Crohn's should not eat as is the case with vegetables?

I follow the Specific Carbohydrate diet, and they recommend peeling, deseeding, and cooking all fruits (and veggies) at the beginning of the diet. The ones they recommend to start with are apples, pears, well ripened bananas (don't need to cook those), apricots, peaches, and plums. But like pb4 said, what one person tolerates, another person might not.

If even cooked fruit bothers you, you could always try juicing. This sounds gross, but I tried adding a little spinach juice to orange juice. It turned the juice an interesting shade of green, but it tasted pretty good. The orange was very dominant.

EDIT: A raw mango once landed me in the hospital with an obstruction, so I'd probably not recommend you start with those. Of course, it was probably because I was a glutton and ate the whole thing in one sitting. It tasted so dang good! I've never made that mistake again though. I limit myself to just a small nibble now.

Post Edited (spookyhurst) : 2/18/2009 10:48:24 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/19/2009 6:01 AM (GMT 0)
I am on Provigil 100mg now but the 200mg worked better
Posted 2/19/2009 11:08 AM (GMT 0)
dissolvable B12!!
Posted 2/19/2009 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
I suggest the B-12...sub-lingual is great for Crohnies.
Posted 2/19/2009 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
thanks once again!
i think i'm going to look into b-12 and diet.
more pills and i'll be ready to stick my head through the wall!
i guess it's a matter of finding the right happy medium between healthy caloric intake and "gut happiness"
i actually really like the green "superfood" juices from Odwalda? and others so i'll see how i tolerate them also
and i'll stary on the ensure- 250 calories a pop isn't much, but the chocolate ones don't taste bad at all so they can't hurt...
by the way if anyone drinks ensure if you go to ensure.com there are $3.00 off coupons so a 6 pack becomes less than$3.00 at the store...I printed one and photocopied it...
Posted 2/19/2009 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Do you find you are suffering swings in energy through the day? Even "healthy" people will suffer if they eat foods that have a high glycemic index -- that is foods -- mostly in the form of simple carbohydrates -- that the body can convert quickly. This leads to spikes in the level of glucose in the blood,, which prompts the pancreas to pump large amounts of insulin to bring the blood sugar levels back in balance. The insulin converts the sugar and then the blood sugar levels plummet causing fatique. The key is to try to avoid these massive swings in blood glucose levels by eating foods that carry a low glycemic load.

If you are consuming a lot of low residue carbohydrates --, corn flakes, white pastas, white rice, white bread, cakes, cookies, juices, pops, -- it will contribute to fatique. It also is a significant risk for the onset of Type 2 diabetes. When I was first diagnosed 30 years ago and was started on a low residue, low fibre diet I felt terrible. I had two young children and most days I just didn't feel like I had the energy to keep up with them. It seemed like everything that was "safe" was bad for me.

I gradually added whole grains and water soluable fibre back into my diet and relied heavily on proteins, which has a very low glycemic load. Much of your fatique is probably caused by your disease activity, but there might be some dietary changes that could help.

Above all though, be kind to yourself mtgman. Your body is sending you a signal and you will ignore/fight it at your peril.
Posted 2/19/2009 5:25 PM (GMT 0)

belleenstein said...
Do you find you are suffering swings in energy through the day? Even "healthy" people will suffer if they eat foods that have a high glycemic index -- that is foods -- mostly in the form of simple carbohydrates -- that the body can convert quickly. This leads to spikes in the level of glucose in the blood,, which prompts the pancreas to pump large amounts of insulin to bring the blood sugar levels back in balance. The insulin converts the sugar and then the blood sugar levels plummet causing fatique. The key is to try to avoid these massive swings in blood glucose levels by eating foods that carry a low glycemic load.

If you are consuming a lot of low residue carbohydrates --, corn flakes, white pastas, white rice, white bread, cakes, cookies, juices, pops, -- it will contribute to fatique. It also is a significant risk for the onset of Type 2 diabetes. When I was first diagnosed 30 years ago and was started on a low residue, low fibre diet I felt terrible. I had two young children and most days I just didn't feel like I had the energy to keep up with them. It seemed like everything that was "safe" was bad for me.

I gradually added whole grains and water soluable fibre back into my diet and relied heavily on proteins, which has a very low glycemic load. Much of your fatique is probably caused by your disease activity, but there might be some dietary changes that could help.

Above all though, be kind to yourself mtgman. Your body is sending you a signal and you will ignore/fight it at your peril.

lately the energy loss is due to the flare and my not eating much is certainly a big contributing factor -- down about 25 lbs to 185.  I normally eat a pretty well balanced diet- a lot of protein...lately i've had to balance the solid foods with the pain involved later...not real big into sweets- I know once I get this flare under control i'll put the weight back on fast and the energy will increase...just have to figure out how to keep the energy up now while i'm not able to eat "normally"
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