Fatigue

MLM0711 · Post by **MLM0711** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 8:58 am

Writing this on behalf of my wife who was diagnosed about 6 weeks ago. She is seeing improvement as a result of pretty restrictive diet. She had also been on Zoloft and has discontinued that. My question is about fatigue. We think she is eating enough…initially dropped about 12 pounds, but has since stabilized. She'll have french toast for breakfast with GF bread, maybe a potato for lunch, then turkey or chicken with rice or risotto for dinner. Seems to tolerate all this reasonably well. As far as veggies, she has been pretty safe with squash, so we'll do that most of the time. Haven't ventured into other veggies or fruits yet. So, with that, was wondering if the fatigue is a result of the current diet, or is it as a result of MC itself? Not currently doing any supplements except vit D. Aside from lack of energy, she seems to be cold a lot…we do live in Michigan. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks, Mike

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 9:28 am

Mike,

I used to be extremely fatigued and cold. I think it was partly due to low intake of food, and a bad level of vitamins and minerals.

As soon as I started to eat more, I was not that cold any more and I didn't need a nap during the day.

What really turned the downgoing spiral for me, was the B-vitamin regimen that Tex provided.

B-vitamins, magnesium (bath, footsoak or oil), high D3-vitamin dozes, C-vitamins and cod liver oil has helped me immensly. Also, bone broth provides us with gelatine which is good for gut healing.

Hopefully, Tex will offer even some more advice.

PS: If I knew how to, I would copy and paste the B-vitamin regimen from Tex, but I don't

Lilja

Post by **tex** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 10:10 am

Hi Mike,

Unfortunately, fatigue is one of the most persistent symptoms of MC. Apparently the immune system consumes a huge amount of energy fighting the inflammation in the intestines and trying to heal the damage.

I have no way of knowing whether or not this might apply to your wife, but our own informal poll among the members here shows that we are approximately 7 times as likely as someone in the general population to have a thyroid problem. One of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism is the inability to maintain a normal body temperature. Consequently, we tend to feel colder than "normal" people most of the time.

Carrots and sweet potatoes are examples of additional vegetables that most of us can tolerate during recovery.

Tex

T · Post by T » Mon Jan 19, 2015 10:25 am

Mike

I was diagnosed with CC in November and it took all of my energy away I lived on chicken potatoes rice and well cooked carrots my DW
only cooks my foods in Earth Balance butter Olive oil or coconut oil I take no suppliments yet .Make bone broth it really helped me (Thanks to Gabes posts) Everyone here will tell your wife to take it slow and work on healing the gut and they are 100% correct it takes time.

TERRY

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 1:38 pm

Mike
the body takes quite a bit to heal, healing takes alot of energy!
just like a broken bone takes 8-12 weeks to fully heal. Depending on how long there has been constant inflammation as to how long it will take for good healing to occur.

for now, stick to the bland diet and the let the gut heal. Once there is good healing then look to introduce supplements.
the fatigue will improve over time.

As T mentions, home made bone broth is a fantastic inclusion to the eating plan, it is full of fantastic nutrients that will encourage healing and help cell rebuilding etc. You dont have to drink it straight, use it in cooking. I use it as the base for stew, soup, cook vegetables in it etc.
I make mine plain, salt only, using lamb and/or chicken.
Use joint bones to optimise the gelatin, collengenous properties.
NB - commercially prepared stock etc does not have the super dooper ingredients needed for healing

there is no quick fix to this process... our best allies are time and patience.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 1:41 pm

Bone broth contains; Collagen, Gelatin, Proline, Glycine (a component of bile acid, and aids in detoxification), glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), Chondroitin sulfate, proteins (bones with the connective tissue are almost 50% protein), Glutamine (an amino acid that helps rebuild the intestinal wall), bone marrow is extremely nutritious, the bones are rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. The proteins in bone broth are anti-inflammatory, thus very good for leaky gut and gastritis. Gelatin and collagen help rebuild the tight-junctions in the small intestine, which when not so tight cause leaky gut.

MLM0711 · Post by **MLM0711** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 2:34 pm

Thanks everyone for the information and advice. As much as we knew there was a reason for the fatigue, it helps to hear the first hand accounts. Didn't realize that bone broth was such a powerful food. I'll be getting on that right away. Again, sincere thanks for the great information. Mike

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 2:38 pm

Mike
I am 5 years post Dx, and I have never stopped making and having bone broth...

Any time I am poorly, I make gooey rice with minced meat in the bone broth. If you can access lamb shanks, it makes the best broth and lamb settles very well.

Greengoddess · Post by **Greengoddess** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 3:00 pm

Fatigue is common to many AI conditions. As the others have said it is related to inflammation and the fact that we don't absorb nutrients properly. It is different from "tiredness" too. Not sure do others have it worse at different times of the day? For me everything is worse in the pm! It will improve gradually but must be sort of managed until then.

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 8:26 pm

Hi,Mike. I realize that she is only 6 weeks out, but as time goes on she will need more protein in her diet. From what you wrote she is only eating protein at dinner. I didn't eat much meat before my LC, but since my diagnosis I now have meat at lunch & dinner. The protein is important for healing and I feel much better when I eat it twice a day. The meat I eat is bland and not very exciting, but it's what my body needs.

I hope she is feeling better soon.

Marcia

UkuleleLady · Post by **UkuleleLady** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 9:17 pm

I was just going to second what Marcia says, meat and I think animal fats are very healing and nourishing at this time. Fiber and grains were not very absorbed by my body for a while. That inflammation is energy zapping and limits absorption of nutrients. I found meat at every meal gave me stamina and was digested more slowly. I still eat meat or seafood at every meal as my diet is pretty limited. It works best for me.

I never got the hang of bone broth but I have no doubt it's beneficial.

Take care,
Nancy

Blueberry · Post by **Blueberry** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 7:20 am

It's a little early for me to mention what I've done recently to improve the fatigue I experience, but thought to bring it up. It's an easy idea that might be helpful to your wife. Around a week ago a newer diet idea I thought to try was to strictly eat grass fed beef. I've also been eating grass fed dairy products. My thinking was possibly I'm allergic to something fed to commercially raised farm animals. For example, regular and organic fed farm animals typically are given diets rich in soy, corn and other grains. My thinking was possibly the feed fed to these animals was showing up in the meats I ate causing me problems.

To my surprise within a day or two of only eating grass fed beef and dairy my energy levels skyrocketed upward. I feel much warmer too.

Having had MC for many years I know well enough that what I'm doing might not workout. Next week I could be back to feeling terrible. Time will tell. But with that said, it's been a rare treat for me to have this high level of energy, to not feel cold and fatigued. I might experience this kind of high energy for a day, once in a blue moon. To have it happen several days in a row is a new experience.

Good luck.