I take it most of you have had severe UC and as a result have had the pouch surgery.

I have had chronic Fatigue since i was diagnosed with UC some 5.5 yrs, and have had J-Pouch done with reversal all done about 1.5yrs ago.

Pouchitis pretty much straght away after reversal.

I have had chronic fatigue since the onset of UC. Alls bloods are fine.

My fatigue is absolutely dibilitating and also pouchitis is ongoing.

Does anyone else have this problem? How do i get rid of this fatigue?

I think about having the pouch removed and be done with this disease, however if i do i wonder if the fatigue will also go..

Any thoughts please???

Hey,
I too am constantly exhausted and have pouchitis. I am going to my doc today, but i am pretty sure i have an iron def. If you think about most of our vitamins and nutrients are absorbed in your large intestine. We don't have that anymore! maybe talk to your doctor about taking liquid iron supplement. I think thats probably where i am headed. Also my surgeon suggested drinking propel for electrolytes. If you are like me you have watery stools and need to replenish your body. Hope this helps!

When you say "chronic fatigue", I assume you only mean you are always tired, not that you actually have a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

My son has struggled with frequent, sometimes debilitating fatigue caused by typical pouch issues (nighttime bathroom trips, mild dehydration, occasional pouchitis, etc.), chronic sinusitis, and to some extent, just being a teenager, for the entire eight years since his first surgery. I keep hoping he will outgrow it, but it hasn't happened yet. I think any chronic inflammation or illness can cause fatigue and that the only solution may be to get better control of the pouchitis.

Hi Jezz79: I am always tired as well. I do have iron and vitamin B12 def., but even when they levels are ok I get tired. I think that it's just the amount of times we go to the bathroom. Nutrition just doesn't stay in us.

I drink vitamin water, propel and esure. Sometimes you do just have to give in a take a nap.

I hope you feel better.

Connie,

Yes its chronic. Ie it is there all the time. Walking up stairs is an effort, closing a window is hard work for me. Im just exhausted to a severe exdtent!

Hope your sone feels better..

Hi

Yes I feel severely fatigued at the moment. I've felt like this before when I've had pouchitis and antibiotics usually sort it out and I bounce back. However I've realised that I've haven't been bouncing back as well over the last six months and am now awaiting pouch removal on Nov 3rd. I am worried that it might not solve the fatigue, and that it might even delay my recovery - bad news as I've been off work for a month already. I will be discussing this with my doctors next week so I'll keep you posted.

What are your docs saying?

Try some fiber, like Metamucil, after eating a meal, to reduce the water in, and frequency of, your BMs. Take about 2 teaspoons in 2-3 ounces of VERY cold water right after you eat. Follow it with as much water as you need to get it down. Also, if you have mercury fillings, have them removed and replaced with a composite material. You may also want to see a Naturopath for some metal detoxification. Without the colon we're so much more susceptible to new environmental toxins, as well as the ones we already have in our bodies. Any, or all, of these things can contribute to CFS. Try eliminating them one at time and see if there is any improvement. I hope things go well for you!
Ubu

Alison A,

Thanks for your msg. At the moment my liver functions are high elevated by flagyl antbiotics.

I just cant seem to win. i fnd something that controls the pouch, and then the liver functions go up..

All my other results are good.

Have you checked your iron levels??

I dont know what to do with myself and have thoought about taking the pouch out.

Have you had fatigue whilst you had UC?

Regards
Jerry

Hi again Jerry

My fatigue is a new thing. I had severe UC for less than two years before resorting to the pouch but despite that was able to keep working apart from time off for operations.

I was slow to recover from my step 2 (of 3)operation, and also following surgery for an obstruction in 2005 but I did pick up after a few months.

My iron levels are low and conventional treatment not ideal as my fistula leaks constantly. I'm awaiting blood test results after iron supplements for a month so it will be interesting to see how they are now.

My teenage daughter has had severe chronic fatigue but is now pretty well and I hope it was a post viral thing rather than autoimmune - but time will tell.

I'll update you again when I've seen the docs this week. Howewver my hunch is that they'll just say go ahead with pouch removal and see how things are after that.

take care

Alison,

I wish you well. I know what its like, and i like you are considering pouch removal.

If you have any questions or would like to know anything, please let me know.

As far as my fatigue goes, i have had it for about 3 years at the least. its constant and dibilitating. Im very interested to see how you go.

Please feel free to ask me any questions.

Jerry