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What Causes Weakness, Fatigue And Excessive Sleepiness While Suffering From Hemorrhoids And Arthritis?

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Posted on Thu, 18 May 2017
Twitter Thu, 18 May 2017 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 7 Jul 2017 Last reviewed on
Question : I am 73 yrs old female, with history of arthritis (attacks happened at the age 9 and 29), bleeding hemorrhoids, insomnia... Last several years on XXXXXXX (and on falls) I am having weaknesses, fatigues, sleepiness.. I know my insomnia contributes a lot to this, but the fatigues and weaknesses intensify on XXXXXXX These periods last from several weeks to couple months - I feel like I am sick, yet on some days I feel okay. Sometimes I have shortness of breathing - which I started having long time ago, when I was in my early forties.. I also have irritable bowl syndrome C(constipation)
My blood pressure is normal, sugar is normal, hemoglobin 11 or 12, ferritin - below normal. I take iron for bleeding hemorrhoids, sometimes Tylenol for muscle pains, back pains, etc.. I am not taking any other medicines.
My question is: what kind of chronic condition can possibly lead to this seasonally intensifying symptoms? Can this be because of aging? Though for the age of 73 isn't it a little early to feel this way?
Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Colonoscopy should be done.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.

Thank you for the query.

Stomach inflammation or peptic ulcers usually get more visible in spring. And you take iron supplements which can cause this condition. Once the inflammation becomes more intense, may cause chronic bleeding and weakness.

In my opinion, you should find out the source of bleeding. Hemorrhoids can be such source, but without a colonoscopy, we can not say if it's the only source.

And even if there is nothing in colonoscopy, hemorrhoids should be removed to stop the bleeding.
Gastroscopy is also strongly advisable.
In addition to that, it's also important to have creatinine and thyroid hormones checked.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further.
Regards.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (6 hours later)
The bleeding happens o n l y when moving bowl with struggle - once in a month or 2, or 3...and this is going on for the last 25 years. It is always bright color. So, it's quite safe to assume - the hemorrhoids is the source of bleeding. Removed hemorrhoids can return in a few years, or sooner, especially if the cause of it continues - IBS(C) in my case. I do not think I have stomach ulcer, otherwise I would notice this, so would my doctor. As for inflammation my arthritis is still here, I do have occasional joint pains, but it happens throughout the year and not seasonally. When getting flu, which happens every year mostly in early spring, it takes me several weeks to get over it, and it goes on almost without fever (usually my normal temperature is lower then normal). So, I guess, the reason for seasonal fatigue and weakness is still in question. I will check creatinine and thyroid hormones, though, are their level fluctuates seasonally?
thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You do not bleed from hemorrhoids.

Detailed Answer:
Well, your thoughts are not completely right. Bleeding can be present all the time. You just don't see it. That is why we have a test called FOBT (fecal occult blood test) which detects OCCULT blood. My suggestion was that you may bleed from something else, not from hemorrhoids. Colon cancer can easily cause low iron level. Same as stomach inflammation (not an ulcer) or stomach cancer. Both do not give symptoms or symptoms can be missed.
Have you ever had colonoscopy done? If not, that IBS diagnosis is completely wrong. You can not diagnose IBS without colonoscopy.
Joint pains, weakness, flu like symptoms can appear due to a cancer or inflammatory bowels disease or any other autoimmune disease. The symptoms may fluctuate depending of the air humidity and temperature.

So once again, colonoscopy and gastroscopy should be done.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (5 hours later)
When rupture of one of colon vessels occurs (which is the case here) I have intense bleeding with every bowl movement (I usually have 3 or so a day). It is very cumbersome with constipation.. If I am lucky and careful with foods, the rupture heals in 5 to 10 days. So I am losing a lot of blood when it happens. Of course, there is no guarantee for anything, but again, since that goes on for years and years (25), it's rather likely that my hemoglobin level is caused by hemorrhoids - even my doctors agreed with it (I don't take much iron: 1 per day when episode happens, 3 per week when quiet). Joint pains are due to my arthritis history (2 major attacks at age 9, and 29 after child birth). I do not pay much attention to it, I was in my early 50-s when they started happening more frequently. There were years I got sick with cold or flu 4, 5, 6 times a year, not that often now, but still couple times a year I do get sick. My bowel movement patterns correspond to IBSC symptoms for about 10 years now..
Regarding those invasive testing procedures - they do not cure, do they? Sometimes they even do harm... And if I decided to do it, I would probably not have the need to look for web site doctors advise. Very experienced doctors might not need all possible tests done to rightly raise the diagnosis.
Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (18 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please see the answer below.

Detailed Answer:
Well, I do not want to argue here. It is not a point of this service. And everything is up to you. It is your health.
Colonoscopy can cure actually. If you have a polyp (or even cancer in the polyp) it can be removed with colonoscopy. And having a polyp in the large intestine, which wont be removed gives around 90% chance to have a cancer.
Constipation is simply a risk factor of colon cancer. So is the age. Very experienced doctors think they may diagnose everything without current standards. But remember that it is your health, not theirs. Colonoscopy is not very sophisticated test. It can be done in sedation. The risk of complication is around 0,5%. But again it is your choice.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (2 hours later)
Well, I am not here to argue either... The thing is - all pertaining to my hemorrhoids is kind of stable for years, even somewhat better, since I became careful with nutrition, same with constipation - it happens seldom (then it bleeds)... 15 - 20 yrs ago I was almost passing out from weakness, was getting bronchitis often, hemoglobin was 8 or 7 even. What did become much worse with age is my insomnia. Since my late 40-s after menopause I started having this problem, but it was quite bearable for years, gradually it got worse, and after retirement 7 years ago, I started waking up at night after 4 hours sleep, staying awake for couple hours, then sleep for another 2 - 3 hours. (I am using sleep hygiene - when being awake longer than 20 min. go to another room, do something quiet until get tired) Last couple years it got worse: now after 2 hours of sleep I stay awake sometimes for about 4 hours, then sleep another 3 hours - if I am lucky. Not always I can get to sleep during the day even though I feel sleepy and weak.. The insomnia does not seem to be seasonal, but combined with seasonal factor - whatever it is, it intensifies the weakness.. Sometimes, though,
it gets better all of a sudden, I have almost enough sleep, then I feel okay.
I understand aging is mostly at fault of insomnia, but mine is too little too much and happens almost every night... It's exhausting.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
SSRIs medicines can help.

Detailed Answer:
Insomnia, very often appears as a symptom of some mental distress rather then any organic condition. For example depression/anxiety is a common factor of insomnia. Sleeping becomes kind of superficial, so your brain do not get to deep sleep, and intermittent as well. It might be the only symptom of some deeply hidden problems (not noticeable for other and not noticeable for you).
Great improvement and sleep regulation can be observed after small dosage of SSRIs medicines used to treat depression, anxiety. So how about trying it?
Quit coffee, caffeinated drinks, add Magnessium supplements to the diet can help as well. Please consider it.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 hour later)
Yes, I am over worrying character (when the cause exists) with elements of paranoia even. But even when I am not worrying, my sleeping pattern is the same - very poor... What are SSRI medicines (the names, please)? What are possible side effects? How long have they been on the market?
Magnesium might be a good idea, but wasn't this supplement used for something else - e.g. constipation? What about selenium? It could be a coincidence but lately I ate lots of sunflower seeds and my sleep kind of improved..
Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please see the answer below.

Detailed Answer:
Magnesium citrate is used in case of constipation. But Magnesium malate for example is used to restore Magnesium deficiency. Lack of this ion lead to nervous system irritation and improper functioning.
SSRIs are for example Sertaline (known as Zoloft). It must be taken for at least 3 weeks to see the benefit. Sweating, low libido can appear at the beginning of it usage and disappear after 2-3 weeks. Its kind of safe medicine. Just needs to be discussed with a specialist first. SSRIs are present for 40 years I guess (Prozac was the most known).
Sunflower seeds contain vitamins (A,D,E,K) so it is very possible that it has caused some improvement.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5798 Questions

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What Causes Weakness, Fatigue And Excessive Sleepiness While Suffering From Hemorrhoids And Arthritis?

Brief Answer: Colonoscopy should be done. Detailed Answer: Hello. Thank you for the query. Stomach inflammation or peptic ulcers usually get more visible in spring. And you take iron supplements which can cause this condition. Once the inflammation becomes more intense, may cause chronic bleeding and weakness. In my opinion, you should find out the source of bleeding. Hemorrhoids can be such source, but without a colonoscopy, we can not say if it's the only source. And even if there is nothing in colonoscopy, hemorrhoids should be removed to stop the bleeding. Gastroscopy is also strongly advisable. In addition to that, it's also important to have creatinine and thyroid hormones checked. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further. Regards.