Housekeeping and Extreme Exhaustion

Extreme exhaustion isn't even doing it justice. I'd practically rather cut off a limb than get off my chair. And when i do finally get up, all i can think is omg, omg, omg i NEED to sit down ASAP.

Houework doesnt get done, hub learns to expect less, hub help out. But for just the things im responsible for, its sooooo draining. Empty the dishwasher and i need a rest. Fold and put away a load laundry, rest again. Paying bills, getting insurance letters out on time, making appointment, attending appointments, helping with homework, bathtime, etc etc i just want to die, its so exhausting.

I wish i had hired help but really cant afford the expense so just trying to get by without it getting too gnarly.

Anyone ever feel like this or am i just lazy? Any tips?

I know what you mean! I'm only 25 and feel like 80. I have much less tolerance than people my age and it's frustrating. Even though I'm in remission now, I get exhausted so easily... I think it's from being deconditioned after years of being so sick. I'm trying to get back in some sort of shape, but wow, it's not easy. I'm sure you're not the lazy type. I'm not, but this ... disease makes me feel like I am. I think the first thing to do is to make sure your blood count is fine (hemoglobin and iron studies), and then I would try to get more active slowly but surely, starting with a 30-60 minute walk several times a week. It's easy, cheap, and it's good physical activity and it helps the mind as well!

ah so frustrating. How's your nutrition? Are you getting enough vitamins and minerals? Like these guys said, you may be anaemic. I think we've all been there and know how horrible and annoying it is that you can't do whatever you want...I think you just have to take a step back and listen to and respect your body, though. It needs you to love and take care of it at the end of the day!

I've been in remission and full of energy for the past couple of years, but got sick three weeks ago. I can't believe how quickly I have moved from feeling great to feeling weak and exhausted. For me, its being in pain and hardly eating. I think everyone's suggestions above are good ones...try to figure out if there is something you or your doc can do to help the situation. I doubt you are lazy. I question myself sometimes too, but then I remember all that I accomplish when I am well. Take good care

Oh I know what you mean! It seems like I'm always so exhausted. I walk across campus and I can see the building and it feels like I won't make it. Even small things exhaust me like cleaning the bathroom. I never used to feel as tired and exhausted as I feel now and I'm in remission as well. So I definitely know what you mean. And it doesn't mean you're lazy at all.

If you're physically exhausted with minor tasks, then it's not laziness. As others have said, you could be anemic. A blood test would diagnose. In addition to red blood counts, your doctor may also check your B12 levels.

The blood tests will help your doctor recommend which supplements, what dosage, and for how long.

Tara28: I agree with the others. Exhaustion is normal. It takes me far longer to clean my house than the average person, because I have to take little breaks to allow my body to catch up. But, I can accomplish a considerable amount of work (well...considerable for me ;) ) before I have to rest like that. I highly suggest having a full blood workup, making sure to explain to your doctor exactly what you're experiencing.

Also...this may be a touchy question, but I feel that it's important to address it. Are you depressed? Be honest with yourself. You don't need to share with the forum (I know I sure as heck wasn't when I was extremely depressed), but it's far more common with having an illness (and also feeling as though you're lazy, which you are clearly not! but I do know I felt as though I was) like Crohns. If you are, I suggest talking to your doctor about that as well.

Good luck! I hope you find a solution to this.

I understand and sympathize. I've been dealing with exhaustion. I'm a graduate student, and I've gotten a "talking to" from my adviser for leaving early many times just to get some housework and laundry done. I've gained a lot of weight because my activity level has drastically decreased, and the prejudice from being fat is stressful and unfair because people don't understand my situation. My exhaustion now is not nearly as bad as when I was tackling a really bad chronic C. diff infection. I would go to school, come home, and go to bed, and I did that for 1.5 years! If you are having severe exhaustion, you should get your vitamin B and iron levels checked, and perhaps get checked out for any infections too. GOOD LUCK!

@Tara28: Sadly, I seem to run into more and more Crohnies with depression and anxiety. I truly believe that we are more susceptible to them due to the stressors of our lives! Do you see a therapist beyond the medication? (I hope I'm not prying too much! I just know that for many, an antidepressant sometimes needs a therapeutic supplement to help it out a bit.)

I would suggest finding a way to get yourself moving that doesn't make you extraordinarily uncomfortable. It sounds like the first few weeks may be quite painful, but I would imagine that once you start moving out of a completely sedentary lifestyle, it might help with your everyday (I know when I first started walking, I could barely move afterwards...now, I feel upbeat and ready to go).

Have you considered things like swimming? It might be easier for your body to take. I would also recommend keeping some light arm and ankle weights for when you're sitting around a lot. It can help improve your muscle tone, and also keep you moving without too much stress on your body. You could also try some of the "Walking with So and So" exercise DVDs. If you're doing it in your own home, it's far easier to do 10 minutes, sit and rest for 5, 10 more, sit and rest for 5 more, etc. That way, you can allow your body to keep up a little better with what you want it to be doing.

Finally, I would suggest seeing if you can get some sort of physical therapy. They might be able to teach you some better ways to move your body, so that you can limit the pain as much as possible while moving away from an entirely sedentary lifestyle.

Tara don't feel bad, I'm in the same situation... I work full time, have two kids 15 and 11 yrs old, have to take care of the house, cook dinner, help with homework when needed, wash, iron, mop the floor, feed the dog, you name it! Everyone in the house depends on me, my husband helps when he feels like it, and by 10 p.m. I just wanna go to bed and shut the door so I can get some rest...

I started accepting the fact that I cannot be a super mom-wife-employee because I'll get sick.  So when I feel tired, I go to bed, read my book or watch a funny film, and let the other members of the family take care of themselves.  I mean, it's not difficult for my 15 year old daughter to make some sandwiches for her and her sister.  I told them they have to realise that I cannot do everything, and they have to help with simple things like making their beds, making a snack to eat, walk the dog etc. 

I used to have a lady to help me once a week with the house, but I had to let her go because it was costing me a lot of money, and now my daughter is studying for her first diploma in german, so money has to go there. (Thank God she passed her english diplomas!).

To summarise, we are not lazy, and we should be proud of ourselves for being able to do the things we do everyday, with this DD.

Christina