The continuing battle with fatigue

I've posted on here before about my battles with fatigue, and while I thought I'd gotten to the bottom of it, the root issues are still there.

From about October last year, I've been having terrible fatigue in various forms. Earlier this year, when it was far worse, I decided I'd focus on one aspect of it - the diet-related component. I was being smashed around by what I now believe was carb addiction, causing terrible lethargy and lightheadedness when I was hungry, and a 'carb flu' (feeling completely wiped out, incapable of doing much other than lying down) after I had fulfilled my hunger. I managed to get rid of that by reducing my carb and sugar intake, and replacing with more whole foods, fats, and proteins. The improvements were pretty quick initially, but then I went back to where I'd come from for a while. Eventually, my body adjusted and has come away a lot better as a result.

However, I'm continuing to experience fatigue and brain fog after most kinds of physical exertion.

Pretend you've been sick with a heavy cold or flu. Now imagine how it feels when you start exercising too soon. You have way less energy, very little stamina, you heat up prematurely, you sweat a lot, your brain turns to mush, and afterward you're left feeling far worse than when you began. Ok... THAT is how I feel after I exercise. I've read in a few places people suggesting 'just dig in and do it, you'll feel better eventually'.

The problem is, I don't. I feel worse eventually. If I do even moderate exercise every week day, by Friday morning I'll be struggling to get out of bed.

My doctor ran a lot of bloods but found nothing. Thyroid, B12, Cortisol, Electrolytes, Iron, CRP, liver function, creatinine, Calcium//Phosphorus and screening for Type 2 Diabetes, and there was no cause for concern anywhere.

I'm not even sure this is anything to do with UC. It all started last year after I had two really bad illnesses over winter, and never went away. I've thought about getting something to help boost my immune system, but looking at the science on that, all that's really proven is Vit D, sleep, eat healthy, reduce stress, and exercise (the last one's ironic).

Does my exercise experience sound familiar to anyone else with UC?

Post Edited (Gitch) : 6/18/2017 3:20:17 PM (GMT-6)

iPoop said...
Have you ever been tested for lupus?

No I haven't. However, looking at the list of symptoms, the only ones that apply to me really are fatigue, and malaise.

I'm sure you've had standard tests done but just in case I'll add my experiences.
The times I've had extreme fatigue were: anemia unrelated to UC, RX med for UC (6mp was the RX), extreme constipation, and most recently high blood pressure. All were fixed and no fatigue now.

I've heard that fibromyalgia causes extreme fatigue.
But the one I think you should look into is chronic fatigue syndrome because it's an auto immune related condition.
/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_fatigue_syndrome

Before you go deep into it though scroll down to "differential diagnoses" to see what other similar conditions need to be ruled out before focusing on that. There are quite a few including Epstein-Barre which I did not know was infection-related.

What about Lyme disease? That seems on everyone's radar and this year is a boom year for ticks.

You may need to see a specialist beyond your general practitioner. Good luck.

The only meds I'm on right now are mesalamine (2.4g daily orally, and a 1g suppository once a week). I've never been on pred for my UC. Only ever mesalamine.

You have triggered a thought, however. One of the two illnesses I had last year that set this off resulted in me going on antibiotics for a sinus infection. It could be I need to REALLY work on boosting my gut bacteria.

I've had glandular fever before (Epstein-Barr virus) and the crashes I experienced for years after that weren't unlike those I've been having recently. Adrenal Fatigue was another thing that came up a lot when I googled my symptoms. The thing is, I've been treating myself for that the way I've done it before, and things haven't really been improving.

On Lyme disease, I've not had any skin issues that would suggest that.

The other thing I'm considering is that the whole thing could have a major psychosomatic component to it. I know this turned out to be the cause of the mysterious back pain I came down with after I started noticing UC symptoms. I was sent for x-rays, and there was nothing wrong. Yet I was in agony at nights. It turned out to be what's known as TMS (tension myositis syndrome) which is cured by mindset and lifestyle changes. This may well be the same. So far, it has all the hallmarks of that nasty condition.

Natof9, can you let me know what teas you were taking that you found helpful in your recovery?

beave, whether TMS is acknowledged by mainstream medicine or not, there's no denying the fact that reading Sarno's book and applying the principles cured me of my back pain, while mainstream medicine took my money but shrugged its shoulders. It's a bit like the old statement "xyz was found to be no more effective than a placebo". But why was a placebo more effective than nothing?

Give a builder a hammer, and everything looks like a nail. I think it's easy to over-diagnose everything as being psychosomatic. That's one of the dangers of TMS, in that it's easy to apply that title to virtually every symptom you experience and miss getting a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment when it isn't. I don't know what UC is caused by, but let's be honest, nor does western medicine. They really just know what it is, and how to treat it. I don't personally think it's psychosomatic, but that's just an irrational choice I have personally made.

This (ease of applying the title 'psychosomatic' to everything) is the reason why my first approach has always been 'see a doctor', then look for other possible factors if they can't identify anything. Unfortunately, my track record of treating chronic fatigue through doctors so far has been unsuccessful every single time. When it was post-viral adrenal fatigue, I got that advice from a health store after repeat visits to a doctor and tests showing nothing. This time round, I'm no closer to having a solution. I've made improvements myself by changing my diet. Ultimately, however, I'm still suffering.

I would ask for a b-12 shot and see if it helps, no real downside to it. I just moved from once a month to twice a month and it's making a difference. My b-12 levels were borderline but good, ever since increasing my levels I've felt much better.

You could go to a hematologist and ask them to do a complete work up, or at least discuss your systems with the dr.

You could also try an infectious disease doctor, might be Lymes or something else.

Are you depressed? Since we have chronic illnesses we are more at risk to battle depression.

ks1905 said...
Are you depressed? Since we have chronic illnesses we are more at risk to battle depression.

Actually, on reflection, I think you might well have nailed it there. It would explain an awful lot of things. I think it's time for some deep self-reflection, as I suspect I know what may be the cause of it.

Thanks so much!

B-12 injections work much better than b-12 pills, it has to build up in your system so the injections work better.

Ask for a b-12 injection and see if it helps, there is no risk with b-12.