Hi, my mother-in-law has had her ileostomy for over 6 years now, and was very active until last year. She has been plagued by illness ever since. She has constant fatigue, headaches, and low mood. She has had B12 injections (ongoing) and has changed her diet. She takes St. Mark's solution drink every day, but doesn't seem to be getting any better. Does anyone have any advice at all, please? We have changed her diet too.
Any advice would be greatly received. Thank you.
How old is your mother-in-law if you don't mind me asking?
Is the illness something specific or are the symptoms you mentioned?
Do you know what blood work or any other tests that she's had done?
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Hi, she is 67 and has had Crohn's disease for years, which led to the operation.
She has had bloods done, yes, only showed up vitamin B12 and magnesium deficiency which she is having injections for.
Have they checked to see if the Crohn's spread? What type of doctors has she seen? I know UK healthcare works a bit differently than where I am. Were iron levels checked? I know some people get frustrated with this question but I'm going to ask- by asking I'm not implying it's all in her head- have they ruled out depression in what's going on with her? Fatigue and low mood can go together. Not feeling well for a year could cause depression too. I have to fill out anxiety and depression screenings before PCP/GP/specialist appointments. It's something they keep an eye on (at least where I receive care) for people with chronic conditions. Were there any life events preceding the changes in her health? (Don't have to answer that, more something for y'all to think through) Where I live, I get put on Vit D3 50,000 IU once a week through the fall into late spring- we have so much cloud cover here it's grey for months. When my Vit D is low, I get joint pain and low energy. And back to the ostomy- has her output changed at all?
Hi there,
How is her hydration? Is she staying well hydrated? Also, I would try to ensure or instant breakfast, they are loaded with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
Hi Tracey. I have Crohn's. Do you know if she has active ulcerations anywhere in her GI tract? Crohn's isn't the same as Ulcerative Colitis in that surgery doesn't prevent the disease from progressing or returning in other areas of the GI tract. Diet alone often isn't enough to prevent disease symptoms or progression, and medication sometimes needs to be adjusted or supplemented. Crohn's also isn't limited only to the GI tract, and actually can cause specific forms of arthritis which might also be contributing to both her feeling poor and the fatigue. If she's been feeling unwell for a long period of time, it's also not uncommon for people to experience depression as someone else mentioned, as it can start to feel like you're never going to feel well again. If possible, have her discuss with her dr.
Hi, no she doesn't have any active ulcers anywhere that we are aware of. She visits her doctor regularly, who gives her antibiotics as he says she has an infection, these hardly help. She is contacting her stoma nurse this week and I will tell her to mention the arthritis, thank you for your help.
Hi, thank you for your reply.
They haven't checked if the Crohn's has spread, no, that's something we haven't thought of, so will definitely get that checked.
She was a very active lady and social, until last year when she had to be in the hospital for a time with constant infections in her body, and since then, she hasn't got back on track, she is having her B12 injection every week, but is still fighting constant fatigue. We have changed her diet and hydration drinks, but she has always had a high output, so it is a constant battle with hydration.
Hi
Her hydration is good, but has a high output, so it is a constant battle to keep hydrated
Thank you for your advice
So I am taking her output is really liquidity? Mashed potatoes are good to help thicken her up, help her keep some liquids. I am sure she already knows all this though. Just wondering, was her potassium levels good?
Hi Beth,
It's very liquidy. Yes, her diet is good. We have helped her to sort it over time. I will check with her about potassium levels. Thank you.
We had an idea earlier that she sleeps a lot during the day and her output is still high, so we did think maybe the dehydration is getting worse the more she sleeps. We have put this to her today and she is going to try to avoid sleeping in the day. Thank you for your advice.
Do they know what caused the infections? I'm guessing she was on heavy-duty antibiotics? How does she do eating yogurt? As someone had mentioned the hydration and you mentioned her sleeping a lot during the day… Sometimes we think we are getting enough electrolytes but we're not. When I was in South FL this summer, I felt awful a lot of the time because I thought I was getting enough electrolytes but I was doing what I would do for being in Ohio, not the intense heat during the time we were in FL. Not sure if these are available where you are… I started taking Saltstick Chews to help supplement what I wasn't getting in liquids. A few weeks ago, my husband and I were shopping for back-to-school supplies for our kids and I started to go downhill fast where I lost all energy and started to feel nauseated- for me, the nausea means I need sodium. So we left and got McD's fries- within a few minutes I was doing a lot better (sodium and potassium). Friday night I was out watching my son play and started to feel lightheaded, so my husband got me some popcorn (I suck the salt off) and Dasani water has salt and magnesium added. Again, same thing within 10 minutes I was feeling a lot better. (Sharing some ideas to help y'all brainstorm)
Hi, no, they have never said what was causing the infections, just prescribed the antibiotics, which I don't think are good long term. I'll have a look for the sticks here in the UK; we may have something similar. She is okay with yogurt, and she has an electrolyte drink every day, and Himalayan salt first thing, but obviously still dehydrated. Thank you for the tips; we will definitely try them, anything to make her feel better. Ironically, she did feel better in the summer, then after the latest infection has not seemed to pick up, but she's trying to not sleep today and drink more, so we will see. I'll let you know. Thank you again, really appreciate.
Hi Tracy, I've had an ileo for a long time and when I get dehydrated, I drink a variety of fluids, especially one called V-8 that is a mixed veggie juice, and that always seems to help. Also, has your MIL had her thyroid levels checked? My wife's were all out of whack and had some of the symptoms you described.
