I had an appointment with my PCP this week just for my regular yearly check up. I’m glad I had one scheduled for this week because I have this stupid dry rash on my face. My doctor thinks it’s from getting off of the steroids. I really wish this wasn’t happening to my face. I now have patchy dry spots all over it 🙁
I’m finally getting another iron panel ran. At first my doctor miss understood what I wanted but once I better explained that I needed my iron levels checked she ordered the lab for me. Along with the B12. My vitamin D levels will also be checked along with several other things. I know that it’s pretty common for people with IBD to have lower iron, B12 and vitamin D levels so I’m glad that my PCP is willing to order the tests. I’m thankful I have a doctor that will listen to me. It can be hard to find one that does.
Got one of the pneumonia vaccines too. I have to get another one in two months. From what the nurse said I won’t have to have them again until I’m 65. I want to take all of the precautions that I can when it comes to not getting sick. Especially since I have a lowered immune system because of the Humira. I still need to get my flu shot though. I’ll hopefully get that this weekend at the pharmacy.
I haven’t heard when the beta begins for the Flaredown app but I’m pretty excited to start using it. The estimated delivery for the early access is in December. I hope that it doesn’t get pushed back. I’m ready to start using it.
I hope it helps me to get better at taking care of myself. I was so motivated earlier this year to do just that and now I don’t really have any motivation. I’m just chronically tired/fatigued and just don’t care at the moment. Which is a poor attitude to have when you have an incurable disease. But I can’t really help it. I just feel pretty blah.
Although losing some of this weight I gained would probably help. My BP is up from what it normally is which is probably from the weight gain. And the weight gain makes me feel icky about myself and I struggle with my self image now. And the gym would probably help with my fatigue.
I need to find my motivation again. Or find something to motivate me.
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I just heard back from my doctors office about my vitamin D levels. It’s still pretty low. I’m now supposed to take 4,000IU twice a day. My iron levels are good. I forgot to ask about the B12 but since they didn’t say anything I’m assuming that they’re good. Apparently the fact that I’m feeling pretty blah, depressed at times, not sleeping well and severely fatigued can all be related to a vitamin D deficiency:
Vitamin D Deficiency and Fatigue
According to the Vitamin D Council, a vitamin D deficiency may cause a lack of energy, including depression and chronic fatigue. A vitamin D deficiency is characterized as levels that fall below 50 nanograms per milliliter of vitamin D.
Vitamin D and Melatonin
A lack of vitamin D may contribute to fatigue by its interaction with melatonin. Melatonin is a mood regulator, decreasing your energy at the sign of darkness to help you sleep. Your melatonin levels are inversely related to your levels of vitamin D. In other words, increased vitamin D means lower levels of melatonin. The reverse is also true, less vitamin D means increased melatonin and increased fatigue.
I’m now debating on whether I want to keep taking my iron supplements. But even if my iron levels are back up it may be a good idea to keep taking them just to be on the safe side. I don’t want to have iron deficiency anemia ever again. That shit sucked. But I also don’t like how many pills I’m taking. Maybe my multivitamin will be enough for now. When I go into a flare I could start back up with the iron pills. But it could already be too late by then.
I think I know what I’m going to do. I’m going to just take the vitamin D and my multivitamin and see how that goes. Give it a good 6 weeks to see how I do. And then I’ll introduce like the B12 back in and the iron or something. I really want to figure out what is working for me and what isn’t. I’d rather not take anything I don’t need too. Once the Flaredown app comes out it will also help me to figure out what is working for me and what isn’t.