I'm sure this has been covered before by some of you, but I'm relatively new, so I'm going to ask again lol.
How does everyone cope day to day at work (obviously, different jobs equal different challenges)? Lately, the brain fog and the constant tiredness are making work absolute hell, and all I want to do is sit down and do nothing. Any tips would be appreciated.
G-Day Dean,
Did you get your blood tests back yet? If yes, what did they find, and how are you going about fixing it? Was your iron low?
Regards, IGGIE
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Hi gang,
I was thinking what a great resource this site has been for me since I found it. It would have been really helpful, but maybe a bit scary, to have found it before my ostomy, but that's water under the bridge. But I got thinking about it, and now I'm questioning why doctors and hospitals don't provide this site's contact info to any patient even considering an ostomy today. And how can we change that so potential ostomates can learn about the road ahead for them by getting on here and asking questions before the docs go chop-chop. How exactly do you get all hospitals to provide their patients specific information, like this website?
I just happened to find this site something like 4 years after my ostomy when I Googled "ostomy forum" or something like that. But I never found it during previous searches.....so I found this site pretty much by pure luck. We need to find a way to make this site available to new or soon-to-be ostomates......as that's when we really need to commiserate with fellow ostomates. Anybody have any thoughts on how we do this?
Thanks,
Bob
I get ready, go to work (usually 10-12 hrs), and then come home. 🤷♂️ Unless your blood work comes back showing something, at some point you just have to tell yourself it's time to be over your past and move on to the future. Maybe you'll need to adjust your lifestyle (sleep, play, etc.) to fit your new energy level.
Agree, there's likely something else going on. Blood work is a good place to start. Perhaps an occult blood test for stool. With a history of UC, cancer in the bowel is a risk. It's less common but can occur in the small intestine too. The fatigue you describe reminds me strongly of the fatigue I had before they found my cancer.
If blood work is negative, push for more testing. This kind of fatigue is simply not normal.
Not yet Iggie (the NHS is on its knees) got my appointment on the 27th, so hoping it gives me some answers.
NHS is probably on its knees because of all the immigrants they have let in, same as in Australia.
The world has gone mad.
Regards, IGGIE
Hey Dean!
I was in the same situation as you, but it took years to develop. I agree with everyone else; a blood test is in order. My issue was I wasn't absorbing B12. Then, a few years back, I developed fatigue, especially with heat. I could go for a walk in the January cold, and by the time I was coming back, I was only wearing a t-shirt. That's how hot I was getting. Fortunately, I was seeing an old-school independent neurologist who said I was copper deficient. Funny how all the doctors at the big hospital didn't catch that. I now take a chelated copper supplement daily and fare much better. I still get some fatigue as I'm also battling RA, but it's much more manageable.
I probably typed too much to just point out that it can be anything, and a blood test and a good doctor can get you straightened out.
Paul
Hello, nice to meet you. I am very new to this site too and have to admit I have found it so helpful already, and everyone has been so lovely and welcoming. It's been really nice, especially in very early recovery. ❤️🩹 I am sorry to hear you are going through this. I have to admit, from my own experience, I felt so exhausted all of the time too, and I agree it depends on the type of work you do as to how they can adapt that for you and support you, as in how physical it is, and perhaps looking at adjustments in working schedules or duties. However, I do appreciate how hard it must be while you are going through it and finding a manageable solution until you begin to resolve it a bit more. I agree a blood test is always good just to see, but I find too, if you are able to, it is what you eat. I mean, I have no choice but to be on a low-fiber diet, which I am finding a challenge as you're not getting all of the best nutrients to make you feel good. But I have to admit I have tried to really gradually introduce better foods like suitable fruit and vegetables, but I am still quite post-op. It did make me feel a bit better, and I think if possible, try to get a good 8 hours of sleep each night too. xx But it is hard as I feel so tired all of the time at the moment, and I did when I had my stoma. So, as much as everyone is different, I think this can be quite normal for some when we are going through things like this. xx Best wishes. x Hope it improves. x
I had low iron for a while and required a few infusions. Low iron makes you extremely tired. Also, be sure they check your electrolytes. Do you drink electrolytes? If you have some dehydration, that will also make you tired. I buy electrolyte water and drink it regularly.
Dean, I have had the same issue for 2-3 weeks. MD said everything looks good. He and my PT specialist called it seasonal change. Until things change for the better, try breaking your day up and adding rest stops. Are you immunocompromised or depressed? I found meditation helps, even when sick.
I can relate to the tiredness. I was a mechanic for 53 years, so it was a hard job. I noticed a comment on bloods. I too have had an iron infusion and also have had two blood transfusions because my red cells were low. This will make you laugh. The hematologist (can't remember how you spell it. 🤣) said to me, "Plenty of vitamin C is good. Go out and drink plenty of Tropicana orange juice." I won't have any teeth left, but I will have loads of vitamin C in me. 🤣 Seriously, if I sit around, I can nod off in the afternoon. I have taken up carpentry, and that keeps me active. Good luck.
I suggest you keep to the topic of the forum and post your xenophobic political views elsewhere.
As an Australian, I am saddened by comments like Iggie's. Thank you for calling it out. Immigrants in Australia go through a strict medical screening process, so his comment was completely inaccurate and unhelpful.
Iggie, that is a very unfair comment. Immigrants make Australia great. Without them, I wouldn't be alive. Most of my medical care was provided by immigrants, and I will be eternally grateful for their care and expertise. Our health system would be even more on its knees if it weren't for them. I'm pretty sure that at some stage, your ancestors were immigrants to our country.