It took me a full year to feel levels of energy I knew were "normal" for me. Even now, over ten years after takedown, I go through periods of time where I am depleted of energy. Sometimes all I need more hydration and so I try that first. Best wishes!

Three months after takedown, I started nursing school full time and a 24 hour a week job, but I think it depends on how sick you were prior to it all, etc. My 4 months with my loop ileostomy helped me tremendously in regaining weight and strength (also, I was a stubborn young 19 year old). Recovery can be related to many factors. If you feel bad, I'd talk with your physician, to see if they can sort it out... But it may just be that you need more time.

I too am three months since take down. I started lomitol and bentyl 6 weeks ago for the same symptoms. Rx is working GREAT! I went from average 10 times a day to now average 5 times a day. Spasms are sooooooo much better! I just need to stay away from dairy, but alas..... I cannot because I love dairy foods.

See my doctor on July 3rd and hope that he will keep the Rx permanent and/or allow me to take it after every meal instead of every 8 hours.

BTW... my doctor has a bit of an ego and believes that all of his patients should be good as new within one month after TD. Immodium did nothing to help me. So, I was able to take a cell phone video of my violent spasms complete with sound and showed it to him at the office. He immediately prescribed me the meds.

I would go to see a hematologist. They test for everything. They took 10 viles of blood from me. I'm sure you have some deficiencies. I would also ask for a B12 shot when you're there. I was anemic for a long time which cause me to be extremely tired and lethargic. I've been taking iron pills. Are you having diarrhea? Have you changed anything in your diet? Do you have a fever? Lomotil is the best for antidiarrheal. Ask you Dr for a prescription?

It could be anything from what everyone has mentioned previously: dehydration, too close to post op, too many times in the bathroom to lack of sleep, anemia, PTSD ( face it, this whole journey is traumatic enough without having to poop 23xs day, accidents, exhaustion ...)and PTSD can throw your system off dramatically leading to anger, exhaustion, sleeplessness, lack of appetite etc...and then there is thyroid which can cause the exact same symptoms so no matter what is may be, you should start with a phone call or visit to your doctor and some bloodwork...in the meantime, try not to put too much stress on strain on yourself or your system, see if you can get some good quality sleep and some basic suppliments if you are not eating enough...
And know that things usually slow down as time goes by.
Sharon

And PLEASE, remember that no two patients are alike. I would have jumped off a bridge by now (takedown 10 years ago) if I expected to be as good as some of the better stories here. I am in the 5-15% that did not escape without some complications. A good day is any time I have 12 trips to the bathroom, none of them particularly urgent. Scar tissue and stricture at the anastamosis have me doing self-dilation several times a day. I have incisional hernias that will need repair when they become too severe. I developed transverse myelitis following my u/c and colectomy, and feeling exhausted is part of that game. Don't assume every symptom is related to your j-pouch/digestive disorder. And what works from some may not work for others.