no energy !

[NicharrisonMarch2022]

does anyone have any ideas how I can stop myself being so tired, lack of energy ?

I’m coming up to my third year anniversary of my transplant, it hasn’t been plain sailing but lately I am knackered day in day out.

I take my meds prescribed by the drs, also an iron supplement as I’m always anaemic - found out last week the blood loss I suffer daily is probably mainly the fact I have stage 4 haemorrhoids which I’m now waiting to have operated on.

I eat as healthy as I can, even though my appetite etc isn’t the best.

Work is now beginning to be a struggle. I’m a decorator.

I know people on here are probably a lot worse off than me, but I’d love some ideas of foods or anything that may give me an energy boost.

I think the last week and today, I’m up at 6 - go to bed around 9, but within 20-30 mins of waking I I’m tired and yawning and that’s it for the rest of the day - knackered !!

There’s a few other issues I’m worried about since my transplant, but won’t go into them here.

Thanks everyone, and stay well.

[DMdm123]

Hi I'm comming up to 3 years in July...the fatigue has never gone away for me ...my bloods are good ..but I have AIH and fibromyalgia...I've found getting my self some magnesium...has made alot of difference in my fatigue...and weetabix ...funny enough wheat keeps me going ...

[QuietButBold in reply to DMdm123]

More Weetabix inspiration for your delight:

weetabix.co.uk/our-deliciou...

I have even heard of people eating Baked Beans on their Weetabix (...not my idea of "yummy" - as Baked Beans have always given me a near-instant headache - for reasons unknown).

[NicharrisonMarch2022 in reply to DMdm123]

Thanks for replying, mate.

I will try wheetabix, I used to take magnesium supplements, but after a year I wasn’t really seeing any benefits.

What magnesium do you take ?

When I see my consultant next, I will tell them again and suggest the magnesium, but each time before I haven’t ever had an answer yes or no.

[DMdm123 in reply to NicharrisonMarch2022]

Boots magnesium

[ColinH324]

I was told that the liver acts as the bodies energy store, so you need to keep it fed if it isn't doing the job as well as it should. You may need to speak to a specialist/dietitian for more info, but I was told that picking things from a Mediterranean type diet and eating every couple of hours should help (obviously not a 3 course meal every 2 hours). I have sandwiches, or other snacks during the day and something that is slow release for main meals.

[NicharrisonMarch2022 in reply to ColinH324]

Thank you for replying.

I have bad appetite, and diverticulitis, I also have diarrhoea multiple times a day, unknown causes as of yet though. Usually when I eat I’m either on the toilet, or I feel sick.

It’s a bad circle as I know in need to eat for energy, but when I eat I have the above problems.

[Yellowsydney]

Hi, have you contacted your transplant coordinators and explained how you feel, there could be many reasons possibly not connected to your transplant. When I stopped steroids I felt like this and they were worried I wasn't producing them naturally.If you use Facebook please feel free to join our friendly and knowledgeable Facebook page called liver transplant support uk, thousands of people in your situation.

Good luck

Hilary xx

[NicharrisonMarch2022 in reply to Yellowsydney]

without sounding like a moaner and ungrateful for any care I’ve received, I have explained it everytime I’ve seen a consultant, or my transplant coordinator. Roughly July last year I was in hospital because my blood levels dropped significantly and I needed blood and iron transfusions.

The eating can be hard because I have diverticulitis and just general lack of appetite, I constantly have diarrhoea which no one has managed to pinpoint why. Could be my medication, or could be another reason.

I emailed my coordinator a few weeks back and the reply I had was to go to A&E, or my local GP.

Previous visits to A&E have them send me away after blood tests saying I need to speak to my coordinator/consultant as they’re accident and emergency, where mines not classed as an emergency ie life or death. Also the GPs at my practice day as I’m under the hospitals care they don’t want to get involved.

Sometimes it feels like I’m banging my head against a wall.

Thank you for replying though.

[McEwan1962]

just wondering if you monitored your time asleep with a fit bit or similar? Could the fatigue perhaps be due to poor sleep or apnoea? I’m 5 years post tx and I’m pretty sure some of my fatigue is the poor sleep🤔

[NicharrisonMarch2022 in reply to McEwan1962]

I do sleep okay all night once I go. Maybe up once or twice for the toilet, but even though I ‘sleep’ I understand it could still be not a proper sleep