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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 8/11/2009 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
I absolutely can not stay awake.

I feel like I may be flaring a little. I have had some body aches today and have been having all the new pain and inflammation for the last few weeks. I am anemic but I take iron supplements. I know that having a fever can make you kind of out of it but this just seems absurd. It happened for a few weeks at the beginning of both semesters last year where I would come home from school and sleep. I would sleep between classes, I would sleep as soon as I got home, even if I only had 15 minutes before work I would sleep. If I wasn't out of the house, I was sleeping and it was awful because I didn't know what was causing it (I don't think I was flaring at all at the time) and I couldn't get any homework done because...I'd just fall asleep.

It seems like it may be back...for today at least. As soon as I got home from work it was massive effort to walk around and I sat in my computer chair watching TV and fell asleep for about an hour before I made myself get up. I know it sounds silly and harmless but its really like I have no control over it...I'm not just sleepy...I absolutely, if the house was on fire, could not stay awake to save my life. I can't make myself do anything physical (even little stuff like playing a computer game) and the second my body hits the bed it is like insta relief.

I was just wondering if anyone had experienced this kind of random and crazy fatigue. It just doesn't feel like the normal...my iron is down or I have a fever fatigue. If anyone has any kind of nutritional fix, I'm up for that as well :P

<3 Cris
Posted 8/11/2009 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure if there's a fix, but I definitely feel your pain. When I was flaring, I had to sleep for about 18 hours a day and was still completely drained. It's really awful. :( I'm anemic as well, but I think the Crohn's just does it on its own, because my anemia doesn't make me as tired as I felt.
Posted 8/11/2009 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
I get that too (like now). I don't know what the problem comes from, just that I feel like I have a head cold without the stuffy nose and sore throat. For me, it seems to go away after a few days, but it can be there in the background sometimes, just not as strong. If I had to guess, I would say it is SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth). I once accidentally discovered that colonoscopy prep seemed to help the problem. I don't suggest that you use the PicoSalax, but you might try fasting for a day or two, or just eat clear broth and avoid starches and sugars.
Posted 8/11/2009 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
Cris, I don't have a lot of time to write atm, but I wonder if you're familiar with the concept of pacing? If not, you might like to Google

pacing "chronic fatigue"

and see if you can apply some of these concepts to your life.

In short, though, I find it's helpful not to wait until I feel exhausted, and to take pre-emptive rests. Ditch the tv - it's overstimulating - and actually lie down, flat on your back with eyes closed, and maybe do some relaxation / breathing exercises. When I'm at my worst, I have to do this every ten minutes or so - in other words, try to do a bit of housework, then lie down, then do a bit more housework or study, then lie down. It's hard and it's frustrating, but I know that I'd be a lot sicker if I didn't do this.

I know it's going to be hard to do this while you're working, but I really have found that it's the most effective way to overcome this horrible fatigue and get *some* improvement in my quality of life.

All the very best to you,

Ivy.
Posted 8/11/2009 7:06 AM (GMT 0)
ps. This is the sort of thing I'm talking about:

Recovering from Chronic Fatigue: Rest
Posted 8/11/2009 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
I am considered in remission and I can tell you one thing that seems to be a constant for me is fatigue.  Almost everyday, even when I try hard not to, I fall asleep for an hour or more as soon as I get home from work.  I cannot lay down and get comfortable anywhere because I will immediately fall asleep.  And sleeping like this doesn't effect me at night either, as I still sleep 7-8 hours a night.   Don't know what the answer is, but did want to let you know you aren't alone.

Hugs

Gail*Nanners*

Posted 8/11/2009 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
I'm right there with you...for the past 2 days.  Out of NOWHERE.  Today is worse than yesterday.  Yesterday, I just felt tired/sleepy at work but I was still able to function.  Today at work, I can barely keep my head up and I can't concentrate.  I went home at lunch and napped for an hour. 

 

If I had to guess, my Iron levels have gotten low again. I'm going to have to consider an iron infusion as I've now (after experimenting for the past couple of months) determined that Ferrous Sulfate, in any mg, causes me great stomach pain...to the point I can't each and drop weight within days.

 

I also agree that fatigue might also having nothing to do with Iron levels being off...I think it just hits when it wants to with this disease.  It sucks.  It's the one thing (besides the actual intestinal flares) that really makes me feel like crap.

Posted 8/11/2009 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Just for more on SIBO and fatigue: eiResource.org
Posted 8/11/2009 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
I have horrible fatique all the time and it seems worse when my gut is doing bad. I take Adderal and vitamins which seem to help, but I still get tired sometimes.
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