feeling tired and run down
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feeling tired and run down
Hope everyone is doing okay. I have been able to reduce my meds to 6mg per day and have not had any D for quite awhile. I've even been able to add squash and a few peas to my food group. However, I have been in the hospital twice in July for low potassium. Again the other day my potassium had dropped to 3.2 without any known reason. One Friday I was able to get it back up to 4.4. Unfortunately, I still feel really tired and run down. If I didn't know that the potassium levels were where they belonged, I would swear they were low again. I just have no energy, a headache, blood pressure is up and overall I just feel yucky. The weather is actually down in the 60's instead of the 90's and usually that would make me feel good. Could this just be another side effect of MC? I almost feel that since my potassium levels have been all over the board for so many months, that my body doesn't respond very well when they get back up to the normal range. Thanks for letting me rant. I have been taking Magniseum (sp) and those levels have remained consistant for the most part. Have a great day. Vivian
Hi Vivian,
I see that no one has responded to your post. I was in the ER yesterday, so I wasn't available to respond either, but I'm trying to catch up with things today, so here's my opinion.
Low potassium is a somewhat common problem with active MC, due to the inflammation limiting the absorption of nutrients/electrolytes. I recall having the same problem back when I was reacting. But usually, it's a problem associated with diarrhea (which wastes electrolytes). Are you sensitive to soy? If so, the peas may be perpetuating the inflammation (even though they don't trigger a reaction as long as you are taking budesonide).
Have you been checked for things such as pernicious anemia, or iron deficiency due to some either reason? Iron deficiency is somewhat common for MC patients. I was anemic when I was reacting. It's a common cause of fatigue, and it's usually very difficult and time-consuming to correct, because most iron supplements are not well-tolerated (they're hard on the stomach), especially when MC is active.
Are your kidneys working normally (eGFR above 60)?
Tex
I see that no one has responded to your post. I was in the ER yesterday, so I wasn't available to respond either, but I'm trying to catch up with things today, so here's my opinion.
Low potassium is a somewhat common problem with active MC, due to the inflammation limiting the absorption of nutrients/electrolytes. I recall having the same problem back when I was reacting. But usually, it's a problem associated with diarrhea (which wastes electrolytes). Are you sensitive to soy? If so, the peas may be perpetuating the inflammation (even though they don't trigger a reaction as long as you are taking budesonide).
Have you been checked for things such as pernicious anemia, or iron deficiency due to some either reason? Iron deficiency is somewhat common for MC patients. I was anemic when I was reacting. It's a common cause of fatigue, and it's usually very difficult and time-consuming to correct, because most iron supplements are not well-tolerated (they're hard on the stomach), especially when MC is active.
Are your kidneys working normally (eGFR above 60)?
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thanks for the message
I sure hope that you are okay. The E-R is not a fun place to be. Thanks for the suggestions. I am iron deficient and yes I have trouble taking supplements. I have been under a doctor's care for my kidneys for the past two years and at the last reading they were still doing okay with a GFR of above 60. However, I have asked for another test on them since my blood pressure has increased some. It was interesting to hear that I could still be reacting to some food but not know it because of the budesonide. Since I haven't been have D and have been able to drop to 6 mg. a day, I thought I was getting better. Oh well,I will keep trying. Frustrating thing is that I am now at the point when I don't always realize my potassium is low until it is too late. Thanks again, and I sure hope you are doing okay. You are a god-send on this site. Vivian
I agree that taking care of kidneys is a priority. I went to the ER to get a lab check because I had a heart rate that was persistently over 100. Sure enough, even though the doctor there told me that all the labs looked fine, when I checked them online the next day, my eGFR was flagged, at 40, exactly the way it has been on the two previous occasions when I had a heart arrhythmia. So obviously there's an association between compromised kidney function and heart arrhythmias. Two days later my eGFR was back up to 59 The problem of course is to find the cause so that I can prevent it. But as usual, that seems to be easier said than done.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Connie,
Thanks, I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I seem to be back to normal again, and I feel fine. They have me wearing a monitor for a couple of weeks, but I doubt that it will show anything worthwhile.
Love,
Tex
Thanks, I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I seem to be back to normal again, and I feel fine. They have me wearing a monitor for a couple of weeks, but I doubt that it will show anything worthwhile.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Dear me Tex, it sounds as though you have a balancing act to perform with your body right now 
I will keep you in my thoughts that you maintain and level out appropriately. Hugs....stay the course and I wish you well.
Vivian,
I have resorted to taking 300mg potassium, 400mf magnesium, 5mg Folate, 5000iu VitD, and 500mg VitC daily....my potassium levels have been in that 3.2 level and I apparently have to take a little extra every day no matter what because I obviously do not get to eat everything anymore so I suspect I don't get enough in my daily foods now. I'm only 51 years old but MC rules me at times when it comes to proper supplementation from food. I sure hope you find your balance soon, and it is progress when it comes to MC, and may take more time than you realize.
Hugs
Erica
I will keep you in my thoughts that you maintain and level out appropriately. Hugs....stay the course and I wish you well.Vivian,
I have resorted to taking 300mg potassium, 400mf magnesium, 5mg Folate, 5000iu VitD, and 500mg VitC daily....my potassium levels have been in that 3.2 level and I apparently have to take a little extra every day no matter what because I obviously do not get to eat everything anymore so I suspect I don't get enough in my daily foods now. I'm only 51 years old but MC rules me at times when it comes to proper supplementation from food. I sure hope you find your balance soon, and it is progress when it comes to MC, and may take more time than you realize.
Hugs
Erica
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Thanks Erica, I also have to take between 10 and 20 mls of potassium a day, but sometimes that apparently isn't enough. I agree that not being able to eat a balanced diet is probably an issue. Good luck.
Also good luck Tex. I also battle a low GFR. When all of my blood tests finally got into the normal range my GFR went above 60, but I think it is low again. I am having another test tomorrow. In my case the kidneys hold onto to much water due to crimped uterias(sp) and that affects the way they work. I hope you have had one of the ultra sound tests where they count how much is coming out of each uteria. If nothing else it is a pretty test with lots of reds and blues. Take care. Vivian
Also good luck Tex. I also battle a low GFR. When all of my blood tests finally got into the normal range my GFR went above 60, but I think it is low again. I am having another test tomorrow. In my case the kidneys hold onto to much water due to crimped uterias(sp) and that affects the way they work. I hope you have had one of the ultra sound tests where they count how much is coming out of each uteria. If nothing else it is a pretty test with lots of reds and blues. Take care. Vivian
I have an ultrasound test scheduled for next Wednesday. I'm not sure if it includes the flow rate test or not, but maybe that's why they told me not to eat or drink anything before the test.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.