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Fatigue from ulerative colitis

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Posted 3/13/2010 8:36 AM (GMT 0)
I have been fatigued from a flare that started over 3 moths ago. I take a multi vit and eat decent but it won't go away no matter how much sleep i get. Has anyone gone through this? If so, how did you get your energy back??
Posted 3/13/2010 8:47 AM (GMT 0)
I have the same problem. I went to the GI doctor and he gave me Iron and vitamin C. It helped a little bit. When I am in a flare I am always tired.
Posted 3/13/2010 8:52 AM (GMT 0)
I was going to try some B vitamins. Started taking folic acid to see if it helps any.
Posted 3/13/2010 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
I'm pretty fatigued but a lot of it for me (right now especially) is that I've been waking often in the middle of the night for the toilet. I take B12, not sure if it helps or not.
Posted 3/13/2010 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
I could never get enough sleep when I had UC. I'd work and come home and lie down on the couch, fall asleep watching TV, get up to bed and fall right back to sleep again ... the fatigue was one of the main reasons I decided to have the surgery. I am between Step 1 and Step 2 of two surgeries and as soon as I recovered from the surgery itself I felt my energy come right back. That colon was really pulling me down.

Meesh
Posted 3/13/2010 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Excessive fatigue is one of the effects of UC. For me, it was profound when I was flaring. I went to work then came home and rested so I could go back the next day. Literally. My wonderful husband did everything around the house.

In remission my energy came back, but not quite to the pre-UC level. Of course, that may be because I was in flare for five years so was that much older when I achieved remission.
Posted 3/13/2010 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
MEESHA, my Dr talked to me about removing my colon. Does it make you feel like you have to go to the bathroom right after eating or is it pretty tolerable? He is starting me on Azathioprine to keep my immune system from attacking my colon. I just can't stand the fatigue. I hope this drug will help with the fatigue! If not, I may consider surgery and be done with it. I have been studying for my boards to be an RN between flares and it is taking me forever to study because I am always tired. You don't feel tired anymore now? No more meds? That would be great. Is there anything about having the colon removed that you don't like? Any feedback is very welcome...Thanks!!!!
Posted 3/13/2010 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
UncleJ, I still have the temporary ileostomy, so I have the bag and don't get the feeling of having to go to the bathroom yet. That will happen after takedown and I've been told I will go more often than before I got UC but there won't be the urgency and I should have complete control. Post surgery life with the j-pouch is supposedly fairly close to pre-UC life.

I tried Azathioprin (Imuran) for two weeks a few years ago and it nearly killed me. I hope it works out for you, I had a real bad reaction. I did better on Remicade for awhile, but even with my flare abating I still felt that fatigue. Like I said, the fatigue was the main reason I opted for the surgery. That and wanting to be off of all the medications I was on. They were expensive even with my insurance and the fact that I'd be on them pretty much forever was making me uncomfortable. I just wanted to be done with UC.
Posted 3/13/2010 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
I have fatigue constantly.  This is one of the hardest things for me.  I slept last night from 9-8 and then just took a two hour nap.  I walk around exhausted all day.  I take vitamin d and b12 shot that doesn't seem to do anything for me.
Posted 3/13/2010 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
WIMOMOFTHREE, have you considered the surgery? It's scary to contemplate, but with three kids to keep up with you may want that energy back!!
Posted 3/13/2010 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
I see one mentioned vitamin D.  My NP had mine checked and I was low - not really low - but not normal.  I was put on megadoses once a week for 5 weeks and now 1,000 units a day.  It made a lot of difference in my energy level.  At least I do not feel like napping after breakfast!!

ElaineNY

Posted 3/13/2010 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes I'm more fatigued than others, and that's as unpredictable as my UC.

 

I noticed that you take Xanax... does that make you tired?  I'm not sure of its side effects.

 

My anti anxiety med, Oxazepam, definitely relaxes me and makes me more tired.  When I take it with my dinner, I find myself nodding to sleep sitting up a couple of hours later!  So I began taking it a couple of hours later with crackers or something lite, and the evening fatigue has improved.  The fatigue might have something to do with the timing of when you take yours, too.

 

That said, UC in general is exhausting, as others have said. 

Posted 7/13/2015 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with UC in april and I have been extremly fatigued since. I get plenty of sleep but I just cant seem to find any energy.
Posted 7/13/2015 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Fatigue is a common symptom of uc. Fatigue is more pronounced when uc is in a flare, that is symptoms are present. Anemia (common with uc) can make fatigue worse.
Posted 7/13/2015 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
Have your blood checked to see what you may be low in
Can be b range vitamins, iron, vitamin d and others
Also it's likely from the UC itself
Xanax does cause drowsiness they sometimes give it as a tranquilizer
Posted 7/13/2015 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
I had iron infusions to ensure I am no longer anemic. Just pulled more labs, I am fine.

Yet I lack energy if I am not physically moving around and I have a desk job so I only move to conference rooms. Going to start hitting gym mid-day.

I am aware of just about every stimulant out there. Best plan seems to be rotating from one to the next. My blood pressure was really low too so I dont even care if these things boost it, its a fair trade for some mental energy. Latest kick is bitter orange. L-DOPA was going to send me into a flare, I returned that yesterday.
Posted 7/14/2015 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Back to PABA for energy today with 1 yohimbine and 1/2 advanced caffeine tab ( slow delivery ). After waking up feeling dead despite 8.5 hours sleep a good workout these products have me feeling optimal.

Now the trick is to avoid consumption of fast carbs or large meals to avoid afternoon crashing.
Posted 7/15/2015 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
B12 injections helped, especially when I was tapering on prednisone. I also started Welbutrin (an anti depressant), which actually helps a lot.
Posted 7/15/2015 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Even in remission, my energy level never returned to pre-UC. Exercising helps minimally. I used to have so much energy. When flaring it's to be expected, but it's one of the most frustrating things to be in remission and still continually exhausted.
Posted 7/15/2015 12:46 PM (GMT 0)

RockerGirl said...
Even in remission, my energy level never returned to pre-UC. Exercising helps minimally. I used to have so much energy. When flaring it's to be expected, but it's one of the most frustrating things to be in remission and still continually exhausted.

I have had B12 injections do nothing for me. I consume a ton of it in drink powders. Things that have worked and surprised me are :

PABA - increases energy
YOHIMBINE
ADVANCED CAFFEINE - these tabs are made up of modified caffeine to avoid spikes/crashes
8:00 PM - going to bed around 8:00 makes a huge difference to me over 10:00 PM.
PREGNENOLONE
DHEA
BITTER ORANGE
1,3-Dimethylamylamine

Good luck
Posted 7/17/2015 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with U.C. a little over 3 months ago I was told my Colon was in very bad shape. I lost over 50 pounds and ended up spending 14 days in the Hospital. I've been tapering off prednisone from 40mg now I'm at 10 and I've yet to get my energy back. I've always been very energetic and now I'm lucky if I can even get 4 hours of activity anymore. I always feel so sluggish and sleepy like I've worked a 12 hour day even after getting good sleep. Has anyone else had this problem? It be nice to know this isn't just me cause it sure is frustrating,I have 2 kids that I used to do everything with and every since I got sick I'm forced to stay in bed and not play with them,it's a lot tougher no www that it's summer. yeah
Posted 7/18/2015 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
MrMoses, fatigue is a common symptom of uc. It gets worse when uc symptoms get worse, and better when uc improves. Some good suggestions are already listed in this old thread. Talk to your gastroenterologist and he/she can run some tests on your iron levels, b12, etc. Good luck,
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