BOWEL PROBLEM - SEVERE FATIGUE

[meehan2003]

Last week in April :

The day before slight discomfort pain began, was out in night club, drinking from cans (cider), one thing did notice was a funny smell from top of cans.

Woke up following day with slight discomfort in my lower left, I severely tired that day.  Fatigue continued for three days, until awoke, with sudden feeling I was going to pass out, and very bad rigors (shaking).

The discomfort continued, I would have 2-3 days when I would feel 100% healthy, and then get severe fatigue, followed by episode of rigors for about 2-3 days.

The discomfort only turned to a pain after about week 6.
Also pain under rib cages, week 5-6 on

[lifo000]

A related discussion, severe bowel infection symtoms and diagnoses question was started.

[wmary]

Have you been taking Vitamin B supplements?  My husband is being treated for IBD (ulcerative colitis) and they put him on B-6, B-1, Folic Acid and Vit. E because the treatment and disease can interfer with absorbtion of nutrients.  This could be a factor in your fatigue.  Please discuss this with your Doctor as a possibility.  I do hope you get to feeling better soon.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Hello - thanks for asking your question.

You are being treated for inflammatory bowel disease from your description.

To answer your questions:

1) Inflammatory bowel disease can certainly cause severe fatigue, depending on whether it is appropriately controlled or not.  Electrolyte abnormalities, blood loss and infection are possible contributing factors.  I would obtain an electrolyte panel and blood count for further evaluation.  Another consideration would be medications.  I would discuss all the medications you are taking with your personal physician to see whether they are contributing to your fatigue.

2) It is possible that an infection is present.  However, you stated that stools were normal.  If not already sent, I would test the stools for ova/parasites, culture, and giardia.  If you continue to have loose stools, then a repeat endoscopy could be performed to definitively comment on whether there is an infection contributing to your symptoms.  

3) As to the waves of fluid.  One possibility may be ascities (i.e. free fluid within the abdominal cavity).  An abdominal ultrasound should be considered to evaluate for this.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[meehan2003]

Would Inflamatory bowel disease cause such severe fatigue, the waves of it coming and going every second or third day ?

The Biopsy report said there was only slight inflammation and cuts

Could it be an infection I have ?

What about the sudden rush of fluid feeling ?

Also my bloods/stools are completly normal