Recovery - Rehabilitation (but Still Fatigued!)

[thleensd]

I went to my 2 1/2 month followup with my GI doc yesterday.

I'm still under weight and fatigued, however, I'm functional now. I can work, but I fatigue easily and often. I've gone from 5-10% to maybe 50% of my desired energy/activity level.

Doc wants me to push myself a little more...but I'm so fatigued when I get home the LAST thing I want to do is go for a walk, much less pick up a barbell (she wants me to put on some muscle mass).

Every time I do something recreational (like, went to Disney a couple weeks ago - took it easy, but still a lot of walking), it takes a full day of reclined rest/sleep and a couple days of light activity before I feel decent again. !

I told her I was concerned that I didn't want to push myself too hard and slow my recovery. She said "you won't". And, I don't want to burn the calories I desperately need. She said eat more. Easier said than done! I'm so tired of chicken and rice! (temporary other food intolerances...I hope)

Mixed signals though, because at one point she suggested I was doing too much (hobbies and responsibilities) and maybe I should spend more time focusing on me and getting better.

Any thoughts? Suggestions? Success stories? I've been an athlete most of my life, and I'm feeling very frustrated that I can't even WALK a few blocks without feeling awful...my poor lonely bike has been sitting in the garage without me for over a year.

She suggested setting small goals. I hardly know where to start.

[Jestgar]

Walk.

Take a five minute walk before work, and another during lunch. Go longer when you can and on the weekends.

If you have stairs at work, go up one flight once a day. Go down stairs whenever you can.

It really really does help.

[Mrs. Smith]

I SO know how you feel! If I go for too long a walk or work a really busy shift, Im down for like 2 days! I am only 29 and sometimes I feel sooo much older! Take it easy, you know your body, do only what you can. For me it seems to be getting better slowly. I am 4 mos gluten free with a few accidents. The first thing that I noticed was the amount of energy I had! The problem was that my tiny weak body could not keep up with that energy. Are you taking any supplements? I improved on b12 and magnesium alot. Im totally still on the road, I get a massage every 2 weeks to try and relax my muscles and improve my circulation. The 1st massage I was sore for days and now after like 5 or 6 Im no longer sore afterwards. If you have the cash, get wii fit! I swear you will love it. Not only is it light excersice but its really fun so it takes your mind off the fact that your working out! I love it. Yoga is a great, relaxing way to stretch and build muscle slowly. If I get really sore and fatigued I take some extra B vitamins or take a really long, hot epsom salt bath. Arnica is also awesome for sore muscles they have gel or you can take it oraly. I hope this helps. Im in recovery just like you and I think some DR think that as soon as you stop eating gluten, your fine . Unfortunatley, that seems to not be the case. It takes a really long time to heal and sounds to me like you are doing very well. I have definatley come far from where I was a year ago! Be Patient, rest and take care of yourself. Dont over do it! Good Luck to you.

[lizajane]

please try yoga. it would help not only with increasing your strength in a gentle way (my gym has a class called gentle yoga!) but it can also help with the mind/body connection.

[idahoengineer]

Have you been tested for B12 deficiency? I was diagnosed a year ago and still was experiencing fatigue. Thought it was my thyroid again, and my doc (not my GI) suggested a B12 test too. Sure enough, thyroid was fine but I had a B12 deficiency. I eat about a dozen eggs a week, so it sounds suspiciously malabsorption-related. I'm taking shots now and feeling better already. I'm with Mrs. Smith - I don't know why they don't test for vitamin deficiencies like this when you're diagnosed - they just seen to think you'll get better immediately. Steph

[Gfresh404]

I know exactly what you're going as I am experiencing something very similar right now and I have been gluten free for about the same time (Jan. 09). A good vitamin B - Complex is a good idea. And for even added energy, digestive enzymes are a necessity, just make sure you get a good one with a lot of lipase and/or bile for fats. Digestive enzymes have helped me a ton with being able to get the amount of calories I need while still remaining somewhat active. I think without them in order to get the same amount of calories I would have to do nothing but eat and nap. You could also try something called Royal Jelly which I have heard works really well for added energy.

[ang1e0251]

I agree that the B12, magnesium and D all helped my energy levels a lot. Get the sublingual B12 (methyl kind). Also are you eating enough dietary fat? It sounds like your diet is limited. You need the fats to support your muscles (like your heart) and nerves. If you're avoiding dairy, you can use some cheeses that work for you, nuts and olive oil. Avocados are very good for you as well as eggs and meat.