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So flippin tired!!!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/29/2013 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
I am "ok" with the 5 to 6 visits to the bathroom each morning and I am "ok" with the occasional tummy issues I have on a daily basis and I am "ok" with a few other related aches and pains associated with colitis...

What's REALLY gettin me down is the TIRED thing... I never have been a great sleeper and colitiis certainly doesn't make that any better. I am sitting here at my desk just yawning my fool head off and I don't even have the energy to smile... I would drink a nice big dark roasted coffee but then TIRED would be replaced by...... well, you know. 

I AM fairly active and try to get in at least 4 to 5 decent cardio workouts each week... I DO get out of my chair at the office at least a couple of times each hour to work the kinks out and I do NOT drink much caffeine aside from a cup of tea each morning. I don't tend to eat much after 6pm at night.

Anyways, if anyone has any tips or any thoughts on this part of the disease, I would be very appreciative.

  

Posted 11/29/2013 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Are you eating enough food during the day/especially in the early day and lunch?

What meds are you on (all meds for whatever)

What supplements are you taking?


q

Posted 11/29/2013 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Do you wake up multiple times through the night, or do you sleep through the night but are still tired?

What meds are you taking.

I drink a cup of Chamomile tea before bed, it helps except when I'm on a heavy dose of pred.
Posted 11/29/2013 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
I am presently in the middle of a flare up... so I have been eating a little less than normal the past couple of weeks, mostly on soft foods and protein shakes, but have had some "normal" food and for the most part, I am NOT starving...

As far as meds are concerned, and I am taking 4 Mezavant each morning. I also take 1 metphormin pill for type 2 diabetes ( very borderline ). 1/2 pill at morning, 1/2 at night. In addition I take a daily "general" Vitamin... thats about it.

Yes , I DO wake up MOST nights to urinate, I don't usually start my "morning bowel routine" until 6am and once I'm up, I'm up. I tend to stay up until 11 to 12, only because when I go to bed at 10 or earlier I DEFINITELY wake up at 1am and lay there lookin at my wife sleeping...
Posted 11/29/2013 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Since you do have borderline diabetes and on medication for it..taking in enough proper nutrition during the day would be important, I would think. It could be that you're cutting back too much. You'll be going regardless whether you eat or not. Are you eating any meat? It'll take longer to digest, so that could help with some of your tiredness.

Have you had your iron checked as well as B12 or all b vitamins for that matter...as well as D?

I'd suggest you get on probiotics and consider fibre supplements.

Why aren't you on any rectal meds?

q
Posted 11/29/2013 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks quincy/Heather :)

I have actually cut out most meats lately, but have chicken a few times a week. Thanks for the tip on the slow digestion thing. My latest blood workup was very good actually but I will be going in for another one shortly.

Sorry forgot to mention that I take Metamucil each evening too.

As far as rectal meds are concerned, I tried those when initially diagnosed and didn't have much success... Not sure they would help with the tiredness...

Basically, I am NOT waking up because of the bowel movements... when I do wake between 1 and 3 , it's to urinate , the movements dont generally begin until 6am-ish... I'm thinking my lack of sustinance is probably as much to blame as anything..

Thanks!!!
Posted 11/29/2013 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
I am very tired too and I do everything you should to try to improve the situation but nothing works. I do cardio, take vitamins, eat healthy, drink lots of water, stretch at breaks... I don't know why I am like this but I have always been this way. sorry I can't offer anything other than support. I sleep through the night so I know that's not the cause and I am in remission.
Posted 11/29/2013 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
I actually bought one of those little "5 hour energy" drinks, but I'm scared to try it.. hahaha. I drink one strong coffee and Im awake for 2 days, LOL.

Hope you feel better soon nssg... Like you, I drink loads of water and do what I THINK is right... perhaps this is just one of those parts of colitis that we have to live with. Honestly, sometimes I come out of the bathroom ( after the 5th or 6th visit ) and my wife says I look like I just fought 15 rounds...
Posted 11/29/2013 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
I feel that way upon waking up each day. Do you feel really beaten down in the morning? I never drink caffeine either because i know it can cause me to have to run to the toilet. I wonder if some caffeine might be helpful in giving me energy but every time i give in and have some, I end up unable to sleep and the whole situation is amplified the following day.
Posted 11/29/2013 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
We sound very similar nssg... I feel like like a lump of awful for most of the morning and ya, coffee is out... unless its the weekend and I drink a small amount , at home, and it's not past noon ( hahaha ). Take care!!! If I ever try the 5 hour thing I will let you know how it went :)
Posted 11/30/2013 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
another thread where i'm gonna say ixnay on the ardiocay !

give your body the rest it needs - healthy bodies need exercise, not sick ones -
Posted 11/30/2013 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
Coquitlamguy,

Sorry you're so tired.
Sounds like you might be vitamind b12 deficient and since you're not eating any meat, that makes sense.
To build up your energy reserves you need a good diet with lots of good quality red meat, liver, lamb.
Sorry to tell you but chicken won't do it.

What about your vitamin d3 levels, what are they at?

Other than not eating red meat, what else is your diet like?
Are you eating lots of grains? If so, those are associated with diabetes.
Posted 12/1/2013 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
I've been through the tired thing and it completely stopped when I started taking:

Caltrate 600 D+ (2 X per day)
Folic Acid 400
Vitamin E 400
Centrum Silver (yes I'm old!)

I was so tired I looked up how to not be tired at my desk. Everything from splashing cold water on my face, talking walks around the building, eating something...it was terrible.

Something in the above vitamins is keeping me awake! Of course, I don't sleep well, but never did anyway before.

John
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