Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of Crohn's and Colitis and often deeply impacts one's quality of life.
I have often talked to people about my fatigue, and sadly I get so many people that are trying to understand how I'm "tired" but the thing about IBD is it's not relatable unless you have it. Fatigue is not cured by taking a nap, and oh golly I wish a good night's sleep could help.
The hardest part is fatigue is almost impossible to quantify and it's even harder to treat. What is the most common symptom of Crohn's and Colitis seems to be the most neglected.
What is IBD Related Fatigue?
Fatigue differs from being tired in that it is long-lasting and can’t be resolved with getting physical and mental rest alone. Patients who experience fatigue sometimes describe it as a feeling of complete and utter exhaustion. This doesn't get better with taking a nap, or going to bed early.
With Crohn's and Colitis, your body is working overtime, and it can cause debilitating fatigue.
Over time fatigue can affect your mental health, your work, how quickly your body recovers, self-care, relationships, and overall your sanity. Some feel as though leaving the toilet or bed is too much work. I've had times where sitting up to drink water EXHAUSTED ME.
2 out of 5 IBD patients experience fatigue even when in remission. The hardest part about this, is there really isn't an overall way to treat this. Fatigue is usually caused by other treatments that are going on. Over time this level of fatigue continues to be draining on the patient.
What Causes Fatigue
Steroids: If you’ve been on them you probably don’t need an explanation. Steroids can be responsible for feeling very awake, almost manic-like, and causing lack of sleep which can lead to fatigue.
Anemia: With chronic inflammation and bleeding anemia is a hard one to escape without. The development of anemia is complex with many factors that contribute to it. It is important for doctors to distinguish between iron deficiency anemia, anemia caused by chronic disease, or mixed anemia in order to know how best to treat it.
Weight Changes: With the rapid gain and loss of weight that comes with IBD your body gets exhausted. It's hard on your joints, mental health, and overall physical well being.
Depression and/or anxiety: People who have Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are at an increased risk for depression, stress, and anxiety which may cause fatigue. IBD patients are 3x more likely to have depression compared with the general population.
There are SO many more complex areas of fatigue and how IBD causes it, and honestly, if you have IBD I really don't have to explain most of this to you because you are living it. Right now it's taken me almost a month to write this, gather my thoughts and lift my fingers to type.
What Can WE Do?
Even though the last thing we as IBD patients want to do is take another medication we also want the fatigue to end. I've found over the course of the last year different supplements that have sent aid in times of need. Do your research, monitor what you are putting in your body, and how YOUR body reacts to supplements. That being said, chronically we tend to have very similar things our body is lacking.
My go-to supplement to help with my fatigue. I'm going to bold this... so repeat after me..
THIS IS BASED ON MY BODY AND THINGS I'VE EXPERIENCED.
Nucerity came out with a supplement (Elite) that is supposed to help your brain, work on your skin, and allow your immune system to work better with less cortisol.
Fun side effects of this are
Healthy looking skin
More energy
Less body stress
This has been GAME changing for me and my ability to function when I'm dealing with fatigue. It's given me my life back. For me, if I go too long without drinking some of this, I can feel it throughout my body.
Fatigue is hard, it's frustrating, and it's complicated. The best things to help with it when fighting Crohn's is, eating how your body can handle. Including some type of activity into your daily routine (I choose yoga), and controlling your mind. But also, rest when you need to rest. You have a disease in your body that simply takes a lot out of you.
Stay safe
-Shay!