Need to boost my energy levels

[Toastandstrawberryjam]

I have started back on iron and vitamin d tabs as I suspect I'm deficient in them. Am having same symptoms as I had two years ago when I was diagnosed as anaemic and vit d deficient (tiredness, muscle cramps). The next appt I can get for drs to request a blood test is in three weeks time.

Meanwhile life has got very difficult emotionally (stressful divorce, DC with behavioural probs) and my work has increased significantly. I do a very physical job and one where I need to be able to give 110%. I am exhausted nearly all the time and need to know what else I can do/eat before I collapse (apologies for sounding dramatic!).

My diet is haphazard. I have little appetite a lot of the time and seem to find myself craving sweets. Dinner is often toast when the DC are finally asleep. I had a stomach bug a few weeks ago when I lost 5lb and think I have lost more since then.

Any ideas for supplements or easy boosting energy ideas?

[HarriH92]

Have you had your b12 tested? I was the same and had a bad bout of depression last year when a support worker suggested asking for b12 to be checked as that can cause low mood and extreme tiredness and indeed I was b12 deficient! It's worth a try. Hope your better soon

[pinkfrocks]

The best thing to do if you can is eat well. Even if you are knackered, can you make something quick like scrambled eggs or an omelette so you are getting some protein? It sounds as if you are exhausted, emotionally and physically, and overhauling what you eat is the long-term answer.
What do you like eating? Can you get a supply of things that are healthy and also quick- eg nuts, avocados, eggs, dark chocolate, sweet potato wedgies (frozen) , good quality fresh soup etc?

[Toastandstrawberryjam]

I struggle with eating, psychologically, as I had an ulcer about 6 months ago which left me crippled with pain with any food. It's better, although I still take tablets for it but it's left me with some serious food issues which I'm trying to work on (without my DC knowing about it!)

[Katymac]

I totally understand the food issues - I've been on an exclusion diet & if I stray I get terrible pain....but the pain may be fixed but my instincts and impressions aren't

I take B12 & Vit D as a spray (as I may have absorption issues) and Zinc gluconate and the Zinc Sulphate upsets my tummy & liquid folic acid

All were prescribed by the GP due to deficiencies - but I now take my own version on B12 D & zinc and only take the prescription folic acid

I also think I need some iron but I can't find a dairy free version that is gentle on tummys

If you are taking Vit D already why not try the spray as it's easier to absorb & ywith your ulcer it might be an issue?

[pinkfrocks]

TBH unless you are anaemic, most supplements and vitamins are not going to make you feel any better. You have to be severely undernourished to have a real deficit - apart from maybe Vit D but we've had so much hot weather lately that 10 mins in the sun daily will build up your levels better than tablets.

If you feel your ulcer is making you eat less and unhealthily, then go back to your GP and ask to see an NHS dietitian. They will work with you around what you can eat, arrange for blood tests for deficiencies and do the whole thing properly.

Your ulcer was treated with antibiotics I hope and not just meds to heal it? The cause of most ulcer is a bacterium and it needs ABs.

[Toastandstrawberryjam]

Yes ABs and now am on meds for the resulting gastritis.

I am assuming I am anaemic as my symptoms are as they were when I last was and it took months of iron to build it up to normal levels. Same with vit d, before I had to go on high doses (twice a week) for a few months before it hit normal again. And that was when I was eating well and healthily.

[Toastandstrawberryjam]

As soon as I can get to see a Dr I can get some blood tests until then I need to throw everything I can at it, rest days are not an option!

[Katymac]

Toast& there are some current threads about Vit D deficiency
here
here
&here I started this one

My deficiencies are all NHS diagnosed & documented; I'm not 'massively undernourished' but it's quite obvious to the several consultants I have seen "something" is going on

Vit D & B12 testing/diagnosis/research is changing massively at the moment as you will see from those threads. & the doses that people need vary greatly across the world both from sun exposure, diet and the bit of research that country is using.

[pinkfrocks]

I did say Katy apart from Vit D!

There is a lot of debate about optimum levels for Vit D.

[Katymac]

Sorry - I've just been so ill for so long & I'm starting to feel better; maybe I get defensive

& from what I've read about B12 levels too

I get confused by the idea that supplementing is the way to fix people - why not find out why there is a problem?

I got a diagnosis of 'fast transit time' which to me sounds like a symptom not a cause......

[pinkfrocks]

assume you've been tested for coeliac and even a condition that's kind of 'sub-coeliac'- doesn't show up in tests but is coeliac to all intents and purposes.

[Katymac]

2 colonoscopies & lots of biospies from the second - 2 (or 3) blood tests negative - I'm on a fodmap exclusion atm but every time I introduce anything I go back to my 'normal' state

If I gave up gluten - I'd probably starve or die of boredom - meat & potatoes & root veg is all I can eat

It is my next thing to try....when I can find something else to eat

[pinkfrocks]

Yes I know the fodmap diet well.
I think you ought to try gluten-free.
Genius bread is fine, for example. I've been gluten free for 20 years and almost dairy free too for that time.

[pinkfrocks]

presumably you can eat fish, chicken, eggs....
gluten-free pasta?

[Katymac]

No eggs - possible allergy & some fish make my lips and tongue tingle so the GP suggested not trying too many new ones

Slightly sad pathetic but I have never ever liked pasta or rice

My big triggers are:
Eggs, dairy, coconut, almond (never really ate any other nuts before & I'm too scared to try now), oats, pulses, green veg

Some of the gluten egg free stuff have an egg substitute in which the GP asked me to avoid because it increases diarrhoea

TBH I'd just shoot me - I am officially a nightmare

I can eat sugar.....loads & loads of sugar, Bacon, chicken, steak, mince, carrots

[Katymac]

I also have various contact allergies including coconut & almond; I think my food issues are internal contact allergies - the GP just laughed

[pinkfrocks]

Are you doing the fodmap under medical supervision from a dietitian? (You ought to be!)
Have you seen someone who is really good in this field? There is a dept at Kings College (London) where a Dr Irving heads up the research into fodmap (I've spoken to him professionally) and he's a consultant gastroenterologist. There are also some very good dietitians around who are trained in allergy/IBS connected with the dept. I can give you names if you want and some do Skype consultations.

On the fodmap you can eat a lot more than you are- eg peppers, spinach, lettuce, cucumber, certain fruits like raspberries, strawberries, grapes. You need to see an allergist / immunologist who works with food allergies and intolerance. Sorry if you have already!

[Katymac]

I was - we had 6 appointment & then said well if excluding everything makes you better then that's fine & referred me back to the GP

The GP (& I've seen 3) have said variations on:

Well if you got to 40/43/45 it's not much point testing now
Allergies don't work that way
It isn't anaphylactic so don't worry
Contact allergies aren't really allergies
Can't you just accept you have CFS/IBS and aren't really ever going to feel better

The first consultant did the 2nd colonoscopy and did loads of biopsies from all over the place & said I didn't have either type of coeliac
Consultant no2. said I have a 'very fast transit time' & reducing my diet was all they could suggest

TBH a good anti-histamine and Vit D, B12 & Zinc have started to make me feel better unless I eat something silly (grapes/strawberries are my latest disasters - 3 are too many Grapes but I can manage about 4 strawberries) or try something daft (probiotics- really, really bad idea!!)

[pinkfrocks]

I think that's pretty bad form from your GP.

Yes, you don't have an allergy but you clearly have an intolerance. So it's not helpful to say you aren't going to die from it, but it's making your life difficult long term.

I'm not sure of the stats offhand - you could easily find out- but the stats for people aged 40+ diagnosed with coeliac are very high. Have a look at the UK's coeliac support website and it shows you there.

As I said, there is a type of intolerance that is not classic coeliac, but there has been quite a bit about it lately with the main idea being that lots of people are intolerant to gluten without having full blown coeliac disease.

This is a good website
[www.wisediet.co.uk]]

[pinkfrocks]

This is one page from the website

www.wisediet.co.uk/www.wisediet.co.uk/Wheat_Gluten.html

[firefly78]

just following as im having blood tests this week for extreme triedness just feel foggy headed almost all the time and its getting worse

[Katymac]

Thanks Pinkfrocks I know I need to do 'something' but when multiple doctors/consultants say live with it - you stall a bit