I have come to realize I may never wake feeling truly refreshed and good like I used to. Even on the weekends when I cam sleep longer, often 10-11 hours in bed I still have kind of a fatigued sickly feeling in the morning. I feel especially bad during work week when I may get 6-7hrs. I wake up feeling worn out, lately it reminds me of how I feel just before I become ill with a cold. I take cipro and amoxicillin every 4-6 weeks and Im in my early 30s with a j pouch that I have had for about 10 years already and just started monthly antibiotics about 4 months ago due to very mild but chronic pouchitis. Does anyone actually wake up feeling good anymore, or is this what I can expect and worse as I age?
You're waking up either dehydrated or maybe hydrated but lacking essential electrolytes.
I've endured this for many years with my ileostomy but never realised I was dehydrated or lacking the essential electrolytes; Doctors gave all kind of reasons as why I was constantly fatigued but none ever suggested dehydration.
Whilst awaiting takedown, I suffered many episodes of dehydration which all resulted in Hospital admissions.
Since takedown, I've experienced similar feelings of fatigue and also not feeling refreshed after a night of undisturbed sleep.
I've recently realised, I can actually be hydrated but still lacking the essential electrolytes.
With the removal of our bowel we no longer absorb fluid like we once did, nor the essential electrolytes.
So the longer us J pouchers sleep, the more dehydrated we can become.
After all, we're sleeping 8-9 hours without fluid intake, nor do we have a digested mass within our bowel we can extract fluid from.
During one of my Hospital admissions for dehydration, I was advised to ensure I urinate no less than 3 times per day and my urine be of a pale straw colour; which I ensure to adhere to, however, I can achieve this and still feel lethargic.
I must consume fluids as often as I can, plus at least a litre of the St Marks emix rehydration solution every couple of days, more during hot weather or if more activite.