Fatigue, Loss of Strength, Stamina...

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:02 pm

I know many (if not all) have experience with the fatigue, loss of strength and stamina. I am wondering what that is from. I experience D and have been diagnosed with LC (6/2010). I have noticed these feelings for quite some time, but just assumed it was because I was having chronic D. I have been on GF/DF/SF diet since Dec. 5 and although I still have D every day, the number of times has gone down a lot (still going approx. 5 times per day).

Anyway - I am wondering what causes the fatigue, loss of strength and stamina?

Paula

GF-aka Oma · Post by **GF-aka Oma** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:51 pm

Tex may be able to answer that, but I do experience that when I have a flare. Hope it gets better

Post by **tex** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:08 pm

Hi Paula,

I believe the cause is all the inflammation in the digestive tract. The inflammation requires a lot of energy for healing, and it ties up a lot of the body's resources. Also, the malabsorption problem that is due to the inflammation, means that we don't get full value out of the nutrients in our food. And on top of all that, the diarrhea adds to the fatigue, by depleting our electrolytes.

This may not apply to everyone, but part of my fatigue was due to the fact that I was rarely able to get a really good night's rest, due to the aches and pains, and the bloating, headaches, etc. The brain fog probably interferes with the sleep process, also, and prevents us from reaching the deep sleep levels needed to accomplish really beneficial rest. I was constantly waking up, either from pain, or from nightmares.

Tex

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:11 pm

Isn't it also because of leaky gut syndrome?

I am feeling so bad tonight I totally understand what you are feeling.

Post by **tex** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:13 pm

Lesley wrote:Isn't it also because of leaky gut syndrome?

Sure - that's the cause of all the aches and pains.

Tex

desertrat · Post by **desertrat** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:22 pm

Paula, funny you mentioned this. For the past few days, I have been experiencing fatigue, yawning, and aches and pains. Since I am not having D, I can't claim it is all from inflammation, since I believe I am not experiencing it much. I've begun to find that my vitamin and hormonal levels are playing a HUGE part of how I feel. Today I felt yucky, but tonight I feel fine. Not sure why, but I did up my vitamins, drank more water, and exercised more today. Just google fatigue + hormones, fatigue + vitamin deficiency, fatigue +.....well you get the picture. Our whole bodies are in an uproar, and inflammation is a major part, but then so are the lack of adequate vitamins and hormones and adrenals. I have begun to think that with some people, MC cannot be blamed for all the problems we experience. A good part yes. But not all.

Mandy

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:39 am

Paula,

And fatigue is the last symptom to resolve. I found that the joint/muscle aches and pains and brain fog improved fairly quickly. But the fatigue took at least 2-3 years into remission to resolve totally. I have often said that I feel better now than I did 20-30 years ago. Seriously.

Hugs,

Polly

maestraz · Post by **maestraz** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:30 am

Polly,
That's encouraging! While most of my symptoms have calmed down considerably since last spring, fatigue/fogginess continue to bother me intermittently. I'll think I can do a lot in a day, but I just run out of steam.

I don't sleep well either. Over the last twenty years, I have become so used to interrupted sleep that it's now the norm for me. Which, of course, is a reason for my limited stamina, as stated above. What's different in the last couple years is awful sweats at about 3-4 AM, and I am past menopause...

Post by **tex** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:34 am

Mandy,

It takes years for the damage to heal, after we are in remission, so as Polly pointed out, the disease still affects us for years after we are in remission. I agree with you, though, that not everything should be blamed on MC. After all, having MC does not exempt us from all the other maladies that affect the general population.

Tex

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:39 am

I know electrolyte imbalances, dehydration from D and the resulting low BP are often the source of fatigue for me. Gluten cross-contamination also gives me severe fatigue for 24 hours.

coryhub · Post by **coryhub** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:24 am

Hi Paula,
Sounds like you have made some progress with less D's every day, and you should keep improving. I still have fatigue days where I really have to push myself to get up and get ready for work but the majority of my days are pretty good now. My tired, foggy days are definitely related to days when I have pushed the envelope and eaten something I was not quite sure of.
Don't quit before the miracle. This process is long and winding but worth the journey.
:treadmill:

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:24 am

That encourages me, too, Polly. I use a CPAP now, so I get a good night's sleep. But the last several weeks I have had to take a nap, and during the flare last week which made me understand that I cannot eat oats (thought I could tolerate a little, just like corn and rice but just avoiding them while eating Paleo) I was taking two- and three-hour naps. I have upped my exercise, thinking that the muscle I have lost in the last couple of years was the problem. And that is undoubtedly part of it, but I know that I am nowhere near healed yet. I will have patience with myself, and keep on keeping on.

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 2:22 pm

Since I am still having D quite often each day, I am wondering if I need to find something to replace what I have been using to reduce inflamation. I am currently using UltraInflamX 360. I would really appreciate hearing what others have used to reduce inflamation naturally. Thank you.

Paula

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:13 pm

My husband happened to be with me on the first Dr. visit regarding my "Big D". I wouldn't have thought of metioning it, but he told her that I slept an awful lot. I do recall lying on the couch a lot during the day. She told him that was normal with intestinal problems. (she might have used those exact words - it was a long time ago). I was quite glad he asked because I think he thought I was being lazy. HaHa

Love, Shirley

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:30 pm

I'll think I can do a lot in a day, but I just run out of steam

That's me you're describing.

Paula, I'm using Bromelaine. You can get it at any good natural products store, or online.