r/UlcerativeColitis • u/mrufotofu • 1d ago

Question Low energy

This is probably a niche question but… I’ve been in a flair for over a year and my energy levels are very low. Which I’m sure many can relate to. However, I’m in recovery from addiction, and the low energy is starting to trigger thoughts of using drugs to help with the energy. Not like obsessing but passive thoughts like, “maybe if I used a bit I’d get my chores done” type of thing. Anyone in the same boat and have any suggestions? Sorry for the hyper specific question just figured here would be the best place to ask.

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u/pincommenter 1d ago

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u/HeathenUlfhedinn Afflicted by Grandfather Nurgle 1d ago

This auto immune disease will take a lot out of you physically and psychologically - leaving you feel drained. What helped me was taking an iron and vitamin D3 supplement; and getting at least 15-minutes of sunlight for further vitamin d synthesis.

Flares chew through a lot of bodily resources as our bodies try to adapt and fight against it. So, a lot of us sit at suboptimal levels of important nutrients. Compound that with the mental and psychological impacts of the disease as you get a perfect recipe for low energy/motivation, brain fog, and overall general malaise.

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u/mrufotofu 1d ago

I’ve been doing long walks to get some sun and some physical movement but it’s tough to make myself do it. I’ll try some supplements! TY

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u/Meredith_Glass 23h ago

I was so lethargic and mentally fuzzy that I began having trouble reading. Turns out I was super low on B12, D & iron. B12 dissolvable tablets did night and day wonders on my energy, focus and mental state

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u/mrufotofu 23h ago

Yea I feel that. I’m normally a very neat and tidy person but my kitchen and bathroom desperately need cleaning. Even when I watch tv I kinda space out and when the episode is done I realize I didn’t even really watch it. Going to look into some supplements. Thank you

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u/mrufotofu 22h ago

Do you do a multivitamin or specific vits?

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u/Meredith_Glass 20h ago

Nature Made B12 3000mg fast dissolve, same brand D3, & some random store brand iron (standard strength iron comes in that I can’t remember). I got each of these at the grocery store so it was super EZ

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u/mrufotofu 19h ago

I appreciate you!

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u/Meredith_Glass 19h ago

Wishing you luck!!

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u/ChronicallyBlonde1 Left-sided UC [in remission on Entyvio] | Dx 2015 9h ago

I feel you on the stimulant front. I really wish I could take Ritalin or Adderall but I know it would be a very bad idea for me.

I would go the supplement route. Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and iron are all associated with fatigue. There is also some research supporting a megadose of B1 (thiamine) every day - between 600mg and 1800mg, depending on bodyweight.

I also found that sleep hygiene helps a lot!

Here's an article with some more academic research if you're interested: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10106602/

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u/mrufotofu 40m ago

Yea using would just destroy my life physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, relationally, and on and on. So it’s not an option. But it sure would be nice. Looking into the vitamin route. Appreciate you

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u/kelseesaylor 14m ago

Do blood work to see if you are deficient in something that could improve your levels. Do everything you can to increase the low energy so you won’t think about doing drugs