Dealing with Post-Op Fatigue 6 Weeks After Ostomy Surgery

I had back surgery on Feb 16th, then 3 weeks later, reherniation occurred on the same disc, so I had a 2nd surgery on March 28th to remove the disc fragment sitting on the nerve. On April 25th, I was rushed into surgery for a perforated colon, small intestine blockage, and sepsis. I spent 2 weeks in the hospital due to the infection. I came home with a PICC line and had home IV antibiotics for 3 more weeks. I am finally getting used to my colostomy 6 weeks post-op, but I am fighting serious fatigue. Did anyone else feel like they had any energy still at 6 weeks? I am thinking about returning to work on Monday, but I'm just so tired all day. Any post-op feedback would be appreciated.

It always takes me 8 weeks to feel much better, have them check your B12 and ferritin level.

Nothing bothered me more than fatigue after my surgery. My surgery was shocking enough because I did not expect it. But what really distressed me was the lack of energy. I had always been a very energetic person, kind of a gym rat. Loved pumping weights. Energy, drive, these two elements of human life were the centerpiece of my being. At 54, I was a serious arm wrestler at the pub, used to put down much bigger and younger opponents. All that changed with my surgery, right after it. I noticed it immediately.

They prescribed me Vicodin, and for some reason, the lowest dosage of Vicodin would give me energy, who knows why. I took the lowest dosage. Now, they took this drug away a few months ago, the Vicodin. Since then, it has been a struggle to find anything that can give me back the energy I used to have. What I have found to work so far is Fish Oil, Schiff Move Free Ultra Triple Action, 75 Tablets, Vitamin D3. I also take Omega 3, all from Costco.

I have a serious vitamin D deficiency, not uncommon in Seattle. Every time I take the weekly dose of Vitamin D2 prescribed by my PCP, I feel immediate energy, also. It is a pretty strong dosage of D2.

It's a work in progress. Message me if you like, we could talk about it a little deeper, perhaps. At any rate, it is a serious side effect for a lot of people who go through these surgeries, and I don't think it is talked about enough or discussed. Doctors are clueless, and many don't even believe in fatigue. Some are so ignorant of it and indifferent, it is shocking. I hope things get better for you, hang in there, try to find a solution because it is a real issue, and at least I can let you know that you are definitely not alone in this regard. Good luck with everything.

Thank you so much for your posts.....all of them. I also have extreme fatigue but thought it was simply because I have become so run down dealing with the various illnesses that I have. Since the surgery, I have ZERO energy. I have tried various vitamins with no luck. Glad to hear that I have not just become a lazy bum!

Before I became ill, I worked 70-hour workweeks, walked a few miles a day, plus did light weight-lifting. No longer. If you find any solutions, let me know. I have noticed that doctors' eyes glaze over when fatigue is mentioned - no help there!

Great post! I once tried explaining to my doctor about the different types of tiredness and absolute fatigue I was suffering from but he hadn't got a clue. However, he did send me to a sleep clinic where they diagnosed me with sleep apnoea. Once I started using a CPAP machine, this type of tiredness was resolved immediately. The fatigue, I eventually put down to low blood pressure, which would cause me to have to stop whatever I was doing and sit down until the worst of the symptoms past. I too take different mineral supplements but I'm never quite sure if they have any effect or not.

Best wishes

Bill 

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

I'm still getting the tireds 2 1/2 months post surgery. Crohn's was flaring for awhile before that so I was already run down. Any chance you can go back part time?