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Tired/Fatigued/Lethargic/Weak


Mon, October 04, 2010 4:09 PM

and i'm sick of it! I haven't felt normal in forever.  I have anemia which is being treated with iron infusions.  I just finished my 5th or 6th infusion and I'm still feeling weak & fatigued.  I don't get as winded which is an indication that my body is lacking iron.  I'm just very tired all the time. It could be due to the Remicade that I get for my Crohn's.  What I'm thinking is that it's either from the Remicade orrrr my body is nutrients deficient.  My body doesn't absorb nutrients from foods that I eat; my inflammation was very very bad not too long ago.  I am SLOWLY getting better.


OH NOTE:  I have decreased the Prednisone to 10 mg.  This is the lowest amount that i have been taking and have been able to take in like 2 years.  My goal is to be completely free from the awful medication.  

Does anyone have any deficiencies from having IBS, Crohn's Colitis?  If you have what are they and has anyone had their hair fall out.. I have.  This sucks!

FPO alivein315
Joined May 30, 2009

Wed, January 12, 2011 6:36 AM

 Reply posted for DCGuy.

it's not even about medications.. if you're deficient and if you have Crohn's or colitis, you have a higher risk of being deficient in something.  You need to find out what you're lacking.  For me it was Iron... just going up the stairs felt like I ran a marathon.  Or you may be lacking B vitamins.  Just get a complete blood workup.  

helpful herbs - ginseng helps & b12..... caffeine too (if your gut can tolerate)

FPO alivein315
Joined May 30, 2009

Wed, January 12, 2011 6:27 AM

 Reply posted for RDuval04.

Due to Prednisone, I have osteoporosis .  I also was anemic and vitamin d deficient.  

Now, after several months of addressing these issues and only being on 5 yes only 5mg of Prednisone, I am no longer anemic and think my bones are getting stronger with the super doses of calcium.  I just recently found out about the vitamin d problem  and am taking way more d3 than what the dr recommended.  I know people that take 5000-10,000iu/daily and the dr only told me to take 1000iu.  i'm taking 5000iu tab/day.  How much do you take of vitamin D?

I really think that I would benefit from B12 shots but my dr who treated my anemia, didn't do anything when I mentioned it to him.  

I think a lot of the fatigue and tiredness is from the lack of prednisone and my adrenal gland having to work after so much time passing and not having to.  It's sluggish.. blah.

Thank you for your suggestions and for writing :)  Feel well & be blessed

FPO alivein315
Joined May 30, 2009

Sun, January 02, 2011 4:49 PM

 Reply posted for alivein315.

I have similar symptoms. Since September, I have lost 25lbs, and I think I lost mostly muscle mass because even bringing my groceries from the trunk up a flight of stairs to my apartment winds me. When I stand from just sitting on the couch, I get very light headed. I'm not anemic, but I do have low blood pressure. I'm not sure if that's the cause, I'm due for another blood test this week to see what's what. My doctor attributes it to the flare up, loss of weight, medicine, etc. I started a multi-vitamin in hopes that will help. Even low potassium can cause problems. I'd recommend full bloodwork.

Hope that helps, and you feel better soon!

FPO irishbrigid
Joined Dec 18, 2010

Thu, December 30, 2010 11:22 PM

 Reply posted for alivein315.

Have you had your GI check your B12 levels and your Vitamin D?
While I was on prednisone I felt horrible all the time. very tired and fatigued!
They checked both and I was super low. Once I started the B12 shots and got on a super dose of vitamin D I felt almost normal again! Plus depending on how long you have been on the Prednisone it wouldn't hurt for your Dr. to do a bone scan especially if your vitamin D is low.
Prednisone is a very strong drug. it sucked all the vitamin d out of my bones and at 24 I was diagnosed with osteopenia a result of being on the steroid too long! get them checked if you haven't already!

FPO rduval04
Joined Dec 30, 2010

Mon, December 27, 2010 3:55 PM

 Reply posted for taw.

I've taken most of the medications you're currently taking at one point in my life... (not the atenolol) and none of them made me feel fatigued or weak.  Well, at least not that bad.  

Get checked for anemia.  Your iron could be low.  I was anemic for a while before I actually found out about it and when I did, the doctors wanted me to get a blood transfusion.  I had like no oxygen in my blood and I'd tire just from walking or from doing simple tasks.  
It could also be a deficiency especially if you stick to a restricted diet.  Have a CBC done to determine if you lacking necessary nutrients.

while you wait, take a b complex vitamin, maybe some ginseng as well.  Hope this helped you a little

FPO alivein315
Joined May 30, 2009

Sun, December 12, 2010 6:39 PM

 Reply posted for alivein315.

This may sound totally off the wall, but have you had your blood pressure checked lately? I was having some of these same problems. I would walk up a flight of stairs and feel like I was going to collapse. I would stand up after sitting for a long time and get dizzy like I was going to pass out. My doctor told my I had low blood pressure, around 90/60. It runs in my family; my dad and grandfather both had the same problem. My doc actually told me to eat MORE salt. I wasn't eating hardly any salt, so I guess I wasn't eating enough. Now that I added salt back to my diet, my blood pressure is around 100/70, and I feel better.

Just an idea for you.

Laura

FPO laura
Joined Apr 25, 2008

Sat, November 13, 2010 5:42 PM

 Reply posted for DCGuy.

I am not on remicade but am very tired/lethargic/weak ....I have colitis (not bad flaring at the moment, but that could change with the drop of a hat) .  Even when not bad flaring I am exhausted...is it from the meds..I take Lialda, Bentyl, Prevacid, Ranitidine, Vitamin, aspirin, atenolol  (beta blocker) and paxil....I also am a caregiver to my sick husband and work full time....under a lot of stress......it's a wonder I don't stay flared 24/7 so I am thankful for that..

I just need some energy......I cannot keep up.....cannot hold up to clean my filthy house ...feel like I"m struggling to keep my nose above water and paddling hard to do so...

FPO taw
Joined Oct 24, 2009

Fri, November 05, 2010 2:54 PM

 Reply posted for alanschachter.

Someone reccommended I try topical multivitamins. a company called SeaBlue make them. You rub it on your wrist and it absorbs through the skin bypassing your GI system all together in theory allowing you to get better absorption of nutrients. I haven't tried it yet cuz it's a little pricey but it's on my list to get as soon as I can. I figure it can't hurt to try it. also if you are having really bad flare ups try switching to a liquid diet of Ensure Plus or something similar for a few days. It can help calm down your stomach and you get more nutrients at times when you don't want to eat anything. Afew days of meal supplementation can sometimes reduce the inflammation and give you a chance to feel better.

FPO lboogie0617
Joined Jun 8, 2010

Tue, October 26, 2010 11:55 AM

 Reply posted for alanschachter.

Unfortunately I am on a pain patch everyday and would like to get off. I have hear of naltexolone, but why are you saying I cannot take it if I am on narcotics??

FPO dot
Joined Oct 7, 2009

Thu, October 21, 2010 11:24 AM

 Reply posted for alanschachter.

I have heard of LDN before.  Who generally prescribes this medicine?  Is it your gastro doctor or primary care physician?

Cheers,

SC

FPO semicolon
Joined Jul 19, 2009

Tue, October 12, 2010 12:11 PM

 Reply posted for alivein315.

Are there any medications that help alleviate fatigue associated with UC?

FPO dcguy
Joined Oct 12, 2010

Tue, October 05, 2010 11:25 AM

 Reply posted for alivein315.

I purchase most of my supplements online.  I get a much better deal versus the local health food stores.

Breezy

FPO breezy
Joined Jan 5, 2009

Tue, October 05, 2010 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for alanschachter.

I do want to discuss.  I have tried the SCD diet, so i'm familiar with it.  The low dose naltrexone - I have read a lot about it and plan to ask my dr about this at my next appointment.  I have asked my Remicade nurse about it and she had never heard of it for the treatment of Crohn's.  All the information that I have read, is not from actual people that have had an experience with this drug which makes me hesitant to try this.  Are you on this?  

Supplements - I take a multivitamin for hair/skin/nails because i like hair  & want to have some left.  A lot of mine has fallen out.  Not sure where you purchase your supplements, but here in upstate NY, they are costly.  I'd purchase more if I could afford it.

I'd love to hear from you.  Talk soon

FPO alivein315
Joined May 30, 2009

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