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fatigue with ulcerative colits

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Posted 6/25/2012 6:18 AM (GMT 0)
I was just recently diagnosed with pancolitis UC about 2 months ago, and was wondering if UC itself causes extreme fatigue or if it is a result of the medication. I am currently taking Asacol hd 800mg 2 pills 3 times daily along with probiotics. I also have noticed some pain in my shoulders and neck since this flare-up, again i dont know if its from the UC or the meds. I have done some research and found a couple different meds that are simliar to asacol hd, (lialda, Apriso) and wondering if they have different effects or are pretty much all the same. Anyone who has any information or more experience for me it would be deeply appreciated.


Diagnosed may 2012
pancolitis ulcerative colitis
Asocal Hd 800mg 2 pills 3 times daily
probiotics and multi- vitamin
Posted 6/25/2012 7:05 AM (GMT 0)
how did you feel before you were dx ? i could barely walk to get to the hospital - didn't start any drugs till 3 days later - for me, the drugs helped - don't think the meds are causing your problems - hope it gets better soon -
Posted 6/25/2012 12:04 PM (GMT 0)
Are you still flaring/bleeding/having diarrhea? I was dx'ed pancolitis about two months ago as well and struggled with really bad fatigue that didn't go away until I stopped bleeding (thanks, prednisone). Your body is hurt and it isn't absorbing nutrients the way it usually does, unfortunately fatigue goes along with that. Are you taking vitamins? Has your doctor run bloodwork to make sure you aren't anemic or deficient in anything?
Posted 6/25/2012 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
I like Lialda because it is once daily, and because ti covers the left colon better.

But, common causes of fatigue are anemia (from bleeding), and possibly toxicity from leaky gut. Possibly shoulder and joint pain could just be inflammation, a kind of extra-colonic consequence of autoimmune disease.

I would have iron and hemoglobin levels checked, and possibly really up the probiotic dosage. If you are anemic, you will feel a lot better once back into the normal range. Porbiotics can help reduce the permeability of the mucosal lining and underlying epithelial layer.

Be careful with oral iron supplements however, because they can cause gas, cramps, and diarrhea (or even constipation and other IBS symptoms). You need to find a form you tolerate well and/or get an iron infusion - if you are very anemic.

That said, there is some weariness that accompanies all the bother of UC, and restful sleep can be disturbed. You will need to investigate and judge these possibilities for yourself.

Good luck.

Post Edited (DBwithUC) : 6/25/2012 8:37:37 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/25/2012 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
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Posted 6/25/2012 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds like my experience with Lialda may have been an exception, but while i was taking it (for about a week and a half), i had terrible neck pains (to the point where i couldnt even move it) and was also terribly fatigued all the time. Colazal and Lialda also did nothing to help my symptoms. As soon as they took me off Lialda and I started taking prednisone, no more neck pain, and symptoms have been much improved.
Posted 6/25/2012 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
prednisone makes EVERYTHING feel better - that is untill you try to stop taking it -
Posted 6/25/2012 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, it is very hard to judge if the neck pain went away because you stopped Lialda, or started Pred. To be more certain, you would need t try Lialda again - but that might not be worth knowing/risking. I do think it generally takes weeks to months for 5-asa to help a flare, although a few have mentioned quicker results.
Posted 6/26/2012 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
I have been suffering terrible fatigue and joint pain during this last flare. I always attributed it to the pred or tapering on pred but my new GI told me it is from UC. The body is under a tremendous amount of stress because of the bleeding and disease in the colon. I am taking T3 for pain.
Posted 6/26/2012 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
Fatigue is pretty normal for me when I'm ill. This weekend I got a good nights sleep Friday, took an hour nap Saturday, then slept 10 hours that Saturday night. AND still I was tired and needed rest Sunday.

ManhattanMama, is T3 a prescription painkiller?
Posted 6/26/2012 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
I experience the shoulder and neck pain when I started taking Lialda. It seems to be one of those rare side-effects. For me it lasted almost 6 weeks. Had to take some generic pain relievers to help with the pain.

Did the shoulder and neck pain start when you started taking Lialda?
Posted 6/27/2012 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
I had bad headaches and shoulder pain while on Lialda. I was switched by my new doc to Asacol and have zero side effects.
Posted 6/28/2012 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
I am always tired and I was long before I was diagnosed with UC. I am not sure if it is linked or if it's possible I have another AI that is causing this exhaustion. I am sure your fatigue will improve when you're feeling 100%.
Posted 6/28/2012 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
I'd take 1000mcg of vitamin B12... Fixed up my fatigue in 3 days, felt high on life. Its pretty common with IBD to be low on B12, Japan and Europe have higher cut off points than America for the blood tests.

Vit D can give a boost of energy if you're low on it which is a common case in IBD, I found 4000ui helped.
Posted 6/28/2012 11:52 AM (GMT 0)
You could be anemic. Even if you do not see blood, you could still have a slow leak for lack of better words. A low blood count will make you feel soooooo tired.
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