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Fatigue and Living Life?!

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 5/7/2011 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
I have had Crohn's for 5 years and I am in remission. Though I still get really tired, I physically can't get myself out of bed before 8am and can easily sleep till 10-11am. On top of that I need a nap in the afternoon for at least an hour. All my blood levels are fine, though I do take remicade and immuran. Is this just something I will deal with the rest of my life? I am almost done with university and the fatigue hasn't been to much of an issue. I can schedule my classes for later in the day and I don't have to work. But what happens when I have to get a full time job and work 40hrs. a week? My friends and family are very understanding but sometimes I don't think that they really understand. I think they think I am just lazy and because I am not sick they don't see why I should be so tired. Is it normal to be so tired but be in remission?
Posted 5/7/2011 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Yep I am in remission too, and that is one symptom that always stays with me. Although I am borderline anemic (i.e. low normal). I get B12 shots biweekly too and am still tired. My husband sees me asleep sometimes more than awake:) Imuran can make you tired too though. Hugs!
Posted 5/7/2011 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
It is a common symptom of Crohn's....

But it could also be your bed. I have a regular box spring mattress, and for the longest time I was absolutely exhausted all the time. I slept most of the day, it took me at least an hour (sometimes more) to wake up fully, and only had a few hours of normal alertness before I started to get sleepy.

Then I got a mattress topper and some new pillows. Holy crap, what a difference. I get more rest in less time than ever before, am generally awake ~10 mins after I get up, and stay that way until a good 12 hours later.

It's a simple 2" sheet of memory foam that you put on your mattress, and it comes with an enlarged elastic-edged-sheet-thingy. I got mine at Sam's Club for 50 bucks. The pillows were on sale, so I got a couple. They help a lot too. They're not all lumpy like my old one, so its easier to find that spot thats just a little more comfortable than the rest of the pillow.
Posted 5/8/2011 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
I would say that the fatigue is one of the hardest side affects on IBD.

Its no test or anything that can confirm it, you can be in remission and have perfect blood testes but still feel like you want to sleep 24/7
So its hard to get the people around us and our doctors to understand.

When I told my GI that I was so tired he just told me to exercise more, well I would if every movement I make would not make my joint pain so much worse, I guess he forgot about that :)

Hang in there and try to be good to yourself
Posted 5/8/2011 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Me too. Too tired. You will probably just have to push yourself to get up and go but it isn't easy. Might be a bit easier to get up early as you get older. Try to get to bed early enough for 7-9 hours sleep. Wish I could offer you a better answer. If you find one let me know...
Posted 5/8/2011 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Yup, I have those days when I can't get out of my own way. Basically I just push myself to do the very basic of chores on those days. Then on other days, I can get everything done and still be awake. I do have to agree with Nanners that you should have your B12 checked. It isn't part of the normal blood work. I had to keep pushing my doctor to check mine and then when he finally ordered it, I was critically low.

I also started to take B6 a bunch of years ago. I take 100mg 2 X day. It took about a month, but I started to not NEED a nap every day. I could still take a nap every day, but I don't NEED it.
Posted 5/8/2011 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, Normal. I am like that in the worst way. extra effort to push myself to do something other than just lay around some days.
Unless your friends and family have walked em your shoes tell em' shush.

It is the same ol' song and note really, but you just have to find creative ways of dealing with people friends or fam, when they want to make snide comments on days you feel like garbage.
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