No energy 6 weeks post-ileostomy reversal

I've recovered well so far from my ileostomy reversal; however, for the last week, I have had zero energy and feel like death. I'm drinking water abundantly, doing small meals, and taking vitamins. Any suggestions?

Might be fatigue. After my hospital adventure and surgery, I was beat! Getting off the couch was a major endeavor. I just didn't have any energy to do anything... even eat.

My doctor said it was fatigue. And wow! It really knocks a person down.

After another month, it slowly went away.

Take it easy; it takes time to heal.

Time and patience, that's what you need. Listen to your body; it's telling you that you've been through a lot and need to take it easy so you can recover and get back to feeling like yourself again.

Thanks so much🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾💜

Thank you! I'm really struggling because I was feeling progressively better. Now I can't get out the door. I'm taking your advice. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾💜

My Ostomy Journey: Ryan | Hollister

Not quite sure what “an abundance of water means,” but too much is not a good thing as it flushes sodium, etc. from your body…read about hydration with an ileostomy and the need for nutrients…electrolytes…it's a balancing trick indeed…or as Jimmy Buffet would sing…🎼🎵it's a fine line between Saturday night and Sunday morning🎶🎶🎶….jb

I agree with JB, plenty of water is not the answer.
An ostomy can have a profound impact on your body's ability to absorb water and stay adequately hydrated. This effect is even more pronounced if you have a high-output ostomy—an ostomy that produces more than 2L of effluent per day. A high-output ostomy can have a dramatic impact on your quality of life and mental health. It can also lead to problems with weight loss, low energy, low muscle mass, difficulty absorbing nutrients, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and kidney stones.

ORS should make up most of your fluid intake. Keeping track of your fluid intake is important. I recommend drinking at least 30mL/kg of total fluids per day, more if your output is higher. Two-thirds or more (66%) of your fluid intake should come from ORS. So, for example, if you weigh 70kg (154lbs), then you should aim to drink at least 2100mL of fluids per day, with 1400mL of fluid being ORS. Generally, for those with high ostomy output, it's recommended to limit water intake to a maximum of 1L per day. On top of this 1L, you can drink about 500mL of juice, tea, and fluids that aren't oral rehydrating solutions (ORS). Any further fluids should come from ORS, keeping in mind the two-thirds rule.

Some of the preferred commercial ORS products on the market include:
• CeraLyte 70 or CeraLyte 90.
• Drip Drop.
• EquaLyte.
• Hydralyte Electrolyte Oral Solution.
• Liquid IV Hydration.
• Parent's Choice Pediatric Electrolyte.
• Pedialyte.
• Rehydralyte.
• Trioral (Reduced Osmolarity ORS).
• WHO packets — Jianas Brother.

Are you drinking like you drank while you had the ileostomy? If so, and this has come on suddenly after you were getting better, see your doctor. It might just be fatigue from the surgery, but it might be something else, like a building infection.

I don't think you should get better and then worse, which is what it sounds like you are saying. Well, not unless you pushed too hard, but you aren't saying that. It's worth getting checked out.

G-Day klkenyon777,

I agree with the water. You have to add electrolytes to it or it will flush you right out, and you will feel just as you do now.

Also, to help the healing, you need to eat lots of protein. It's what's healing on the inside that you can't see that has to be looked after.

Go cook a nice big steak and then go rest.

Regards, IGGIE

Marecat17…You are correct! Oh, that Evelyn Woods speed reading class rears its ugly head again… I missed the “reversal” comment in the post, as you have pointed out, and thanks for the clarification.
Very recently, I was hospitalized as I was so weak I could barely leave my lounge chair… not only was I dehydrated, but the doctor said I had Covid… my only symptom was the extreme weakness…. I dodged Covid since 2020 (my stoma surgery) and was shocked by this diagnosis. Now I am wondering if klkenyon777 should be checked for Covid….jb

Dear Justbreathe,

JB, I hope all is well with you and that you are safe from whatever is making you feel unwell. Please get all the tests that are needed to confirm that you are okay.

Please accept my good vibes for your safety.

Regards with wishes, IGGIE

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It is common for people to miss information in posts. We, as a society, are in the habit of skimming. When you skim, you miss stuff. I'm as guilty of it as anyone else. It just didn't trip me up this time.

JB, I hope you are getting better. I'm sorry to hear you've been so sick. Get plenty of rest; COVID is no joke.

Awwww thanks, I am fine except I still can't taste my morning coffee…the only thing worse, I live with a stoma which reminds me about 1/2 hour later with “well that was useless”……in an attempt to rectify this situation I bought some instant espresso coffee thinking it would be full of coffee flavor but nope…. Tried it for an afternoon “pickup” the only thing it was full of was caffeine. I did not fall asleep until sometime after midnight! Since morning coffee seems to be the only thing encouraging me to get out of bed in the morning I sure hope my taste buds return soon! 🫩 jb

That's miserable. I largely lost my sense of taste when on chemo. It's amazing how much we overlook the pleasure of food. I stopped drinking coffee altogether while on chemo. I've started back but drink decaf. It really is a big reason for getting out of bed in the morning. I hope you feel better soon!

Thanks…love all your comments…jb

I don't have a colon either. I have to drink 3L, or I'm literally dying. Thank you so much, and you're right, especially about NaCl💜🙏🏾

Thank you!! But I no longer have an ileostomy; it was reversed. I also don't have a colon, and if I don't drink 3L per day, I literally die.

I think I need more electrolytes, and I have pushed it too hard when I've felt good. Thank you!

Will do! Sounds great🤗

Bless you!!! You are so right!! My lack of a colon demands I drink 2-3 liters of water per day, but I realize I need to > protein and electrolytes now. It's tough to eat/ingest much of anything with this new SBS. Thanks so much for understanding!!🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Without a colon, pretty much everything I said about drinking ORSes still applies. With an ileostomy, you bypass your colon; with a reconnection, you still have no colon, so your output is still very liquid. Drinking lots of water is making things worse. You are presenting a good case for dehydration.