Even now, after all these years, it never ceases to amaze me how much simple tasks wipe me out since having surgery.
I'm currently 30% through building an 8-drawer sideboard and feel like I've run a triathlon, currently splayed out on the living room floor feeling sorry for myself because I'm unable to manage to complete a simple task in one go 😮💨
I'm the same now; been like this for the last few years, but I had my ileo almost 40 years ago. No doctor can get to the bottom of it. I was told to take vitamin D; that would solve it. Two years later, still no difference. Next, they blamed it on depression. Yes, I've had depression most of my life, but that's not the reason. Next, I was told to join a gym; that would help if I was fitter. I've been going to the gym for over 40 years, lol, so that's not it. Recent blood tests say my B12 is low, but my GP says it's adequate, so on it goes—still no answer.
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My understanding is that ileostomates often do not absorb medications and vitamins as well as the rest of the population. Maybe try liquid B12 and others that are available in a liquid form. They tend to absorb orally very well and even into the tissues under the tongue, i.e., sublingual.
Worth a try!
You might get some blood work done. Tiredness can be a sign of a low vitamin or mineral. Something that is common among ostomy patients. You might have low potassium, magnesium, or even iron. You could get it checked out just to be sure.
I second this for sure. I read somewhere to make sure to get enough vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and probiotics, so I've been focusing on those for now. But it's all about balance—mixing up the food you eat, the places you go, etc. Doing all of these seems to be helping me cope and heal since coming home from the surgery.
I agree. Get some blood work done. I can tell you, firsthand, that magnesium and sodium depletion is a real thing for ileostomates and can cause fatigue and insomnia. I get weekly infusions of magnesium and add salt to my drinking water. I also sip a solution that has powdered electrolytes in it.
Terry
I was somewhat like this until I started taking meal replacement drinks twice per day; now I am much improved.
Same here, bloods always come back as normal. I have a slightly fatty liver, but nothing major. I started taking magnesium for a while, but even that has stopped having any effect. I just hate feeling drained all the time.
I'm currently looking at mixing my own St. Marks solution at home to drink at work throughout the day. GP has said it should help in the short term.
If you can, try to focus on what you can do. I gave my bicycle away as I went out for a ride this summer, and the wind nearly knocked me off. At 73 years old, I can't afford to fall off my bike, so it's walking from now on. Any jobs I do, I break up into short segments and rest in between. Things get done eventually. You might also ask the doctor to check your thyroid levels.
Going through the same. I've been told to take in more calories, nutrients, and hydration (water). I've tracked my nutrition, and it's not perfect but not crazy lacking either. Also taking gummy vitamins. Revised stoma can't handle capsules or tablets, and doesn't absorb liquid vitamins.
Please fill me in if you find or hear of a possible solution to feeling better. But great is what we want, right?!
Currently awaiting an appointment with a stoma nurse and also awaiting an outpatient appointment regarding tests related to it all. But currently, I am making myself some homemade stoma hydration drinks to see me through the day. Over-the-counter magnesium has stopped working as well.