Does anyone else just feel absolutely exhaused most of the time during a flare-up or is it just me? I'm not sure if it's the medication, my body fighting to heal, or what. Maybe it's both.
11/29/08 6:19pm
SW, thanks for posting.
No; you're definitely not alone. Fatigue--along with joint pain, general malaise, and sometimes, fever--are common complaints during flares, and even just before a flare. (Many folks with IBD know that they're about to flare specifically because they feel those "flu-ish" feelings coming on.)
And, yes; you are right. One reason for feeling the way you do, is your body's reaction to inflammation. It is thought that IBD is an autoimmune disease; so, in effect, your body is somehow, fighting itself.
If you are chronically anemic due to your disease, and/or you actively bleed during your flares, this may be another reason for your fatigue. Also, nutritional problems related to your IBD could be at play, as well.
Be well,
Hope
11/30/08 3:27pm
Hi SW,
Fatigue is totally normal with IBD. I find that I am most fatigued during a flare. I have to really take care of myself, not over do things, and allow myself the rest my body needs during a flare. BUT, that said, I also find that I just don't have as much energy as I used to B.C. (before colitis) even when I'm not flaring. I used to have an endless supply of energy B.C., now with IBD I find I have about 7-8 truly productive and active hours each day - that's actually doing physical stuff like working, cooking, running errands, etc. That's not to say I can't do more than 7 hours of activities in a day, but I tend to be exhausted by day's end - the other night after running around working and doing for about 10 hours I ate dinner and 15 minutes later was out like a light on the living room couch.
So, sometimes you have to listen to your body and do what it needs to help it heal and be well. Even though I may only have 7-8 really productive hours of energy in me my gut is well and happy and I'm living and doing very much like a person without IBD.
Good luck to you.
Elizabeth
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