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Posted 6/7/2008 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Has anyone found any ways to increase their energy levels/decrease fatigue?

(I've been so tired with this flare, I've barely been able to do anything other than watch tv and use the computer sad )

Posted 6/7/2008 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi ComedyDork. This is my first post on the site but I have been coming here and reading for a while.

I have noticed that with the disease I have low energy/fatigue as well especially during a flare. As funny as it sounds the one thing that really helps me get my energy up is exercising regularly. It's hard to get started and try to put the effort in when you're so low energy but once you start making it a part of your everyday routine you start feeling way better. I know that going to the gym can cause anxiety about if you have to go to the bathroom so I find it's best to work out at home with a DVD or using an elliptical machine that my mom bought for us. Good luck!!


_________________________________________________________________
Female, Age, 19, DX w/Left sided UC October 2005
Present Meds: Remicade Infusion every 8 weeks since August 2006

Past Meds: Canasa Sups, 40 mg Prednisone Daily for 1 year, Miralax Daily, Ginger Supplements
Posted 6/7/2008 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
CD, have you had your B12 levels checked lately? Excersize is a good idea but have you tried any multi-vitamins too? I used to have significant fatigue too until I started on a vitamin designed for IBD'ers - Forvia. This has a higher mg's of iron, B12 and calcium then a normal vitamin. Are you drinking enough water or liquids?
Posted 6/7/2008 12:40 PM (GMT 0)
I agree w/ Sherry. Definitely have you b12 checked. I have a lot of fatigue and my GI regularly checks them. A good multi-vitamin is also a good idea. I take one w/ an immune boaster.

I am also a huge believer in exercise. Unless sick I'm at the gym 4 times a week. Sometime I literally have to drag myself there but I feel so much better afterwards. If you are not a member of a gym try starting off w/ walks about your neighborhood. I really do think it helps.
Posted 6/7/2008 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
As well....get your vitamin D checked. My husband recently had his checked and it was waaaaay below the norm.

I asked my GI to check mine (I'm most defiitely not a sun person), and he mentioned he was starting to check ALL his IBDers because some have shown to be low even though he would never have assumed it based on no symptoms to state so.

I haven't received my numbers back as of yet, but low vitamin D can cause fatigue and exacerbate pain.

quincy
Posted 6/7/2008 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
ComedyDork,

1. take multi-vitamins
2. drink lots of water (if your dehydrated you will be tired)
3. avoid sugar (cookies, cakes,etc., milk)
4. try to do exercises that burn calories like jogging, cycling, etc. that do not elevate stress levels.

NBT
Posted 6/7/2008 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
I did have my blood checked a couple days ago and my hemoglobin level is 12.5, which means it actually increased while my flare worsened. I don't know what else my GI checked, but they said everything was "normal." I'll ask about B12, vitamin D, and multi-vitamins.

I am drinking a lot of water and other drinks (Powerade, V8, coconut water, pomegranate juice). As far as exercising goes, I usually do walking and if I'm not feeling as horrible, I might go on the bicycle exercise machine. But even a little walking can sometimes cause me to get light-headed, so I have to cut it short.

Posted 6/8/2008 5:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi...did you tell your doctor you get light-headed from even walking?
Do you have asthma as well as seasonal allergies?

q
Posted 6/17/2008 7:41 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Comedydork!

Yes, your hemoglobin count is an indication of how your iron levels are doing and since they are good, it must be something else.  It maybe your Asacol.  I know fatigue is one of the side effects....I suffered really bad of fatigue when I was on Asacol.  Ask your dr. Good luck:)

Posted 6/17/2008 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately, I've gotten myself a bit addicted to energy drinks (particularly the SoBe No Fear kind).. They keep me awake long enough to do my job and then go home. Now though when I don't drink one for a day or two I get a massive migraine headache!!

I read somewhere that eating an apple can give you as much energy as a cup of coffee. I'd have to peel the skins off mine but maybe that would be helpful, as well as the tests and stuff the previous posters mentioned.

I'm with you on the tired thing though, I can barely wake up in the morning and I pass out as soon as I get home. I think I need a new bed though... We're staying in a hotel while our apartment is being fumigated and they have one of those Sleep Number beds... Oh man is it amazing. I took a nap in it this morning and feel great, haha.
Posted 6/18/2008 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
How about yoga? It seems to energize and relax me at the same time, while also giving me a good workout even though it doesn't feel like I'm really working out much at all until the next day when my muscles are sore.

ediekirsten- I've heard that apple thing, too. I can't let go of my coffee though. =)
Posted 6/18/2008 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
I don't have the answers but wanted to say....I've been exhausted the last few days.  I don't know what wrong with me.  I am resting alot.  Starting tomorrow I will try the hints I've read on here.  More water, excercize, no sugar, ect.  Thanks for the suggestions, I also heared on the news today that coffee is good for you.....lol.....So, I won't feel too guilty about drinking a couple of cups to help.  Good luck, Hope you perk up soon, Bellski
Posted 6/18/2008 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hmm, that's interesting about the apple. I'm not a huge fan of apples, but I'll give it a shot. I'll have to look into yoga, too. Aren't there different types of yoga (or am I just making that up)?

quincy, I don't have asthma and my seasonal allergies have died down. I told my GI about my extreme fatigue and he just said that it would improve as I go into remission.

Posted 6/18/2008 11:09 AM (GMT 0)
I certainly would not recommend the energy drinks !! I got somewhat addicted to those myself and I think they played a big role in this flare. The caffeine in them would wake up a dead horse!! I was using them to get me thru a work day and soemtimes drink them on the weekends when I had special things planned. All in all... I wasn't taking the naps that my body was needing and now here I am... flare. :O(
Posted 6/18/2008 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, there are different types of yoga. I think all of them are good exercise though. I enjoy actually going to a yoga class far more than watching a yoga dvd on my own, but if you're flaring really bad, a dvd is an option. There are lots of them out there.

Yes, coffee is good for you. Coffee has tons of antioxidants in it. It has been shown to reduce the chance of colon cancer by 25%, and also reduce the risk of Parkinsons, diabetes and heart disease.
Posted 6/18/2008 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Yea.....I'm off to have my second cup :O)
Posted 6/18/2008 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, I had no idea coffee was good for you. But I thought it was an irritant to the bowels? Is it only the case w/ caffeinated coffee?

I found a website that has yoga exercises for IBS and improving digestion: http://www.helpforibs.com/yoga/sequences.asp
Posted 6/18/2008 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
I heard decaf has some benefits for health too. The regular coffer doesn't seem to bother me. Like today, it is really giving me energy. It might irritate you though. Be careful if you try it.
Posted 6/19/2008 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Here's the article I read on the benefits of coffee: http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSCOL15953520070501

Yes, it is irritating to some people's already-irritated guts. Caffeine is a stimulant, so it can also cause the urge to "go" even in people with healthy bowels.
Posted 6/19/2008 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
Coffee also helps keep the liver.....so, there's a good reason for coffee.

It's a stimulant....it can stimulate the sigmoid for a "download" for one's morning constitution.

I have about 4 - 7 cups a day.

quincy
Posted 6/19/2008 5:43 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, coffee helps me out in two ways; helps with the first bowel movement of the day plus wakes me up! I also agree with the others; try B-12 for energy. Also might try vitamin water....
Posted 6/19/2008 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
At least now I don't have to feel guilty for drinking coffee. (O:
Posted 6/20/2008 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
Would coffee be a good or bad idea if most of my BMs are in the morning? On one hand, it may get everything out in one turn. Or it could just make me go more. Does tea have the same effect?

I've been drinking Powerade and it has B12. I'm not a huge fan of vitamin water.
Posted 6/20/2008 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi....my bms are in the morning, and I drink coffee during the day.  Now, on the other hand, if I were flaring and I was out, I might not drink more than one or two cups of coffee...or tea might be a better choice for me.   Depends on how my gut felt.  Some coffee, even the smell, can make my stomach churn.....Starbucks is one or any coffee that smells like that.....so, coffee is pretty subjective.   I don't drink just ANY coffee.....

Trial and error....see how you feel.  Remember, some flares, with just a bite of food or even drinking water can stimulate a bm.

Tea has astringent properties to it....and for some in my husband's family....it can constipate them...so it might be a good choice for you..lol!

Powerade has a few artificial sweeteners......I'd avoid the ones in it like the plague.....I'd never drink any artificial sweeteners....so, you might see that as part of your problem.

Drink water and take a vitamin B12 pill.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powerade

quincy

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