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Can we exert extra effort like normal people

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/5/2022 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
I have been having Crohn’s for 15 years. I started Remicade 6 years ago after I was diagnosed with a perianal fistula and Remicade has been a lifesaver ever since. My problem is that at my workplace, people have the energy to exert extra super effort. I do exert my utmost effort but this makes me drained in the weekend and I have to stay in bed to recharge my energy. I feel that my life revolves only around work and eating correctly in order not to trigger any flare ups. I can’t have any outings, for example. Simply because I don’t have energy. My GI sees the levels of my bloodwork as normal even if there are some elevated markers. Vitamin B12, vitamin D and serum Ferritin are within the normal range though they are borderline. Definitely, when they are low, I have to take injections to boost the three levels. Should I take any multivitamins? Is there any hope that I would regain the super energy I used to have more than 15 years ago? Or should I accept the ugly truth that I already accepted 15 years ago that I’m a Crohn’s patient and whether I like or not, the disease had its toll on my health, including my energy level?
Posted 3/5/2022 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Before I got the Crohn's in April 1997 I was in better shape than most Olympic athletes. Today the only difference is I can't stand on my feet for a long time whereas before I'd be at the racetrack and playing pinball machines all day long standing on my feet for 18 hours straight a day everyday until I got the Crohn's. Still today if I eat light or don't eat I can like play pinball machines for about four days straight nonstop 24 hours a day. Before I got the Crohn's I was in better shape than most marathon runners. Before I got the Crohn's all I ate was sugar for energy now I try not to eat sugar knowing what it will do to my body. I had a double resection in May 2013 and I've been doing well ever since. In about a year and a half I'm probably going back to the GI I haven't been to one since 2014. Been off all medications since May 2013. OHIP pays everything but the dispensing fee for drugs at age 65 where I live in Ontario, Canada. In a year and a half I'll be 65. Still have food allergies that I acquired all at the same time back in 2005. Before 2005 I had no food allergies. Not allergic to anything but a lot of foods I try to avoid.
Posted 3/6/2022 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
The first thing that comes to mind would be to have your iron levels checked. An iron infusion might be in order for you. Also, you could tried vitaminized meal replacement drinks as a supplement. If you take something regularly enough, over time, it might give you the extra energy you're looking for.
Posted 3/9/2022 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
@NickyFurlano, looks like the surgery helped you a lot that you can live almost normal life?
Posted 3/12/2022 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
My ferritin was low. My RBC was borderline. My hemoglobin was borderline.
My TIBC was borderline My Iron Saturation was borderline.

Borderline/Low for all these, but technically all within "normal limits"

I have a hematologist, and that has been one of the best things I have done.
I talked to the nurses who all said fine, within normal limits, insurance won't cover it blah blah blah.

I pushed and talked to the hematologist about my symptoms. Low energy, always cold, restless leg, anxiety. Then I pushed more and he said he would try to get it covered through insurance.

I got an infusion today via IV and have 3 more infusions to go next week.

Your Iron is incredibly important. If you cannot get an infusion look into something called Floradix.
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