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Causes of my fatigue?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/30/2010 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
I've been home this week, trying to get my energy back up. I was hit with a mean upper respiratory virus last week, and am not sure if it is that, or the inflammation in my colon that is fatiguing me so badly. I have been like this though (fatigued off and on), for the last month. Some days I just have to rest an insane amount, then I feel normal for a while. Other days I just don't feel energetic no matter what.

Here are my thoughts on what could be dragging me down...
-This upper respiratory virus could have been with me, bothering me off and on for the last month, then hitting me hard last week.
-Inflammation of my colon could be causing my body to tire because of the constant immune response.
-I have between 4 and 8 BM's per day. They are not diarrhea, but they are hardly ever extremely packed together... just sort of clumps. The transit time is quick in my body, and even though I am not bleeding, maybe I am either not getting enough iron, B12 or B6? Thinking about getting tested for those deficiencies at my clinic.
-Maybe I'm not getting enough nutrition? I have maybe 1/4th the appetite someone my age/gender should have. I'm still trying to get at least a minimum of 1,500 calories a day in though, even if it means nutritional drinks.
-Lack of exercise? I finally have time to hit the weights and do a little cardio, but have not because my energy is spent. I'm willing to do it anyways, but have just been thinking that it might wear me down more.
-Possibly I'm down mentally? I doubt this honestly, because I only get mentally depressed due to these symptoms.

Any ideas?

My plan is to keep eating, and try starting to exercise some. Keep resting when necessary. Get liquid forms of the vitamins that are vital, and take them that way to ensure proper absorption into my body. Slowly address the diarrhea by doing a toxin cleanse on my bowel followed with probiotics, plus L-glutamine to help with symptoms for the moment. Also, to take something to help repair the mucosal walls of my colon.

I began taking Turmeric in powder form a couple days ago, once in the morning and once at night... about a tsp. at a time, for inflammation of my colon. I'm also experimenting with a Lecithin enema, once at night, homemade, which I only began last evening... but it went well.

I'm just trying to identify and fix my energy deficiency first, while at the same time addressing the colon health issues in a holistic way.

Thanks.
Posted 12/30/2010 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Quick bowel transit time and an inflamed colon mean you're probably not absorbing all the nutrients of the food you ARE managing to eat and 1,500 cals is really low for a guy (not sure what your height/weight is). I'd definitely supplement with protein or meal replacement shakes. Have your vitamin levels checked and make sure you're not anemic. Alot of folks feel B12 shots are helpful; I never could tell a difference.

I'm a believer in listening to the body. When you're fatigued, you do need to make sure you get plenty of rest. However, you may want to do some weight training to keep your healthy weight up or to replace lost weight. Gentle cardio might help your energy level, but I sure wouldn't try to run any marathons.
Posted 12/30/2010 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
I know that 1,500 calories is low... but I'm saying that is the minimum I'm shooting for. I haven't been hungry lately, but maybe it was just the virus.

Right now I'm down to 160 lbs, 6 foot tall. I was up to just over 180 lbs last spring before upper jaw surgery, with just a little pudge. Try 6 weeks of liquid diet and a good flare of UC if you ever feel the need to lose weight...

My goal is to manage my health with a whole-body attitude, and get my weight and energy back up there. Sometimes you find you're just missing some piece of the puzzle, so I thought I'd throw this thread out there in case anyone saw something I was missing.

Thanks.
Posted 12/30/2010 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
In your shoes, I would ask my primary care physician to do a complete blood count. That way, you could find out what, if anything, needs pumping up.

Many many years ago, I had a nutritional herbologist who wouldn't allow any of his patients to eat yeast or eggs. He was flexible overall with almost everything else, but those two things were completely forbidden. It's hard, but not impossible, to find yeast free bread, but what you don't realize is that there is yeast in a lot of foods. He said that the yeast would leave you groggy and tired overall, and eating eggs would deplete your body of insulin, effectively sending you into a diabetic coma.

Just a thought when you're thinking about whole body care. I now eat yeast & eggs, but I will think twice about it.
Posted 12/30/2010 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe try juice fasting for a day or two? fresh made carrot and cabbage juice, with apple tossed in. Cabbage and carrot juice is suppose to be good for colon and healing. Just tossing out an idea.
Posted 12/30/2010 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Others have pointed out some possible causes and fixes, but I would like the reiterate the greatness of B12 shots. I'm slightly anemic, but even extra iron has never help a lot. My B12 isn't terribly low, but my GI office has determined that their patients do better above a certain level. They've made a huge difference for me--I have more energy in the midst of this 9 month flare than I did when having less GI symptoms (though more secondary symptoms). This can be a catch 22, as I sometimes overextend myself and pay for it later, but in all I'm so glad I've been put on them.

That said, I started them at the same time as a friend and they've done nothing much for her--she's even taking them IM and not subcutaneous, which I'm doing. So, it's hit or miss, but won't hurt to try.
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