Fatigue/Weakness

I had an ileostomy for many years and I've suffered with Fatigue, which at times, is debilitating.

I've had every possible blood test there is to find a cause.

I've visited so many Doctors/Specialist, yet to no avail.

However, only recently due to a suspected bout of the Norovirus, I drank far more fluids than I have done ever before, just fruit juices mixed with water and it appeared to make a difference.

I've still not conquered it though.

My blood was extensively checked.

My Doctor and various specialist first diagnosis was a lack of exercise.

Then I was diagnosed with depression.
and months of counselling followed, Cognitive Therapy, all of which made no difference ?

I'm fatigued, lethargic, not tired to an extent I feel the need to sleep; although, sometimes after a long day, I may fall asleep during a train journey or in front of the Tv in the evening.

After my ileostomy op, I was prescribed Iron and Folic Acid tablets.
My Iron level has remained stable, so no longer take Iron. I still take Folic Acid.

One of my consultants prescribed B12 Tablets, which made no difference.

Recently, a different consultant said B12 cant be administered by tablet.

He also stated that the body has a huge reserve of B12 and it can take upto 12 years, yeah 12 years, that's what I thought, before the body requires a B12 supplement ?

Yeah, that is exactly what the specialist did, made his diagnosis and dropped it.

Now its up to me to pursue it and the process more or less starts from the beginning again.

Its never been suggested to attend a sleep clinic, although I do go through phases of being unable to sleep and lay awake all night; when I do finally fall asleep, I can and will sleep for hours.

I was aware of the importance of fluid intake but at the time, I never actually realised.

My only issue, is sustaining the level of fluid intake while asleep, as it takes a few hours for the fluid intake to take affect.

Also, gulping down vast quantities of fluid in attempt to make up or speed up the rehydration process, makes no difference.

TE Marie, thanks for your input and opinion. I'm sorry to hear of what you have endured in regard to your condition/illness.

As for drinking prior to bed, tried n tested and fails to work, the obvious occurs during the early hours; what goes in, needs to come out which kind of defeats the object.

Also, the amount which I can reasonably drink prior to bed, is just not enough to sustain a level where I'm bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning..

I've used rehydration drinks; after my stoma op,  I was advised to buy a solution which I mix with water to replenish lost salts.

I found a rehydration drink recipe which can be made at home, consist of Glucose, salt and bicarbonate soda mixed with water and fruit juice.
I tend to drink at least one litre of this, maybe 3, especially when weathers hot or I've been more active.

My additional intake of fluids appears to be making a difference, I just struggle to remain on top of it.

I will mention the sleep clinic to my Doctor and see what's recommended but I don't think my breathing is effected when I sleep, but who knows, after all, I'm asleep.