From Exhaustion to Answers: Understanding Fatigue After Long-Term IBS

A concerned user was worried about his mother, who had been suffering from IBS for over a year, as her condition was not so bad before. She was prescribed some antibiotics back then when she was diagnosed with an intestinal disease. Soon afterward, she developed persistent diarrhea, food intolerances, and severe exhaustion that affected nearly every aspect of her daily life.

Then a supplement called Bifina helped a lot in controlling her toilet routine and her diet, but she had to take it with Smecta. Though the medications and the probiotics eventually helped her gain some control over the movement of her bowels, her tiredness did not subside. She felt extremely weak and dizzy even after the diarrhea had healed.

She was not able to take spicy or fatty foods but was able to drink juice with minimal sugar. She was given vitamin B12 shots, Glucose 5% intravenous infusion, and lactated Ringer's solution 500 ml for injection for her fatigue. She had diarrhea for over 10 months, and it stopped about 2 months ago, and it has really worn her out. Concerned over her mother’s deteriorating health and prolonged exhaustion, they consulted various doctors for help. They conducted routine blood tests, along with the examination of the heart, liver, and kidneys, but found nothing abnormal that could cause such tiredness in her.

Then they finally reached out to our expert at iCliniq in search of an answer regarding what was happening to their mother. On analyzing her reports and medical history, the doctor clarified that it is very unlikely that she needs a blood transfusion because of the tiredness she feels. He also added that this prolonged diarrhea is likely leading to malabsorption, in which her body fails to absorb adequate amounts of the vitamins and nutrients it needs. He further clarified that antibiotics are not the treatment for IBS, and probiotics can help, but she might have developed antibiotic-induced diarrhea.

The doctor highlighted that there is no need to give excess vitamin B12 unless there is a deficiency and that her mother needs proper evaluation, not a blood transfusion. The doctor also advised her to undergo testing for checking levels of serum vitamin B12, Folate, serum Calcium, vitamin D, stool routine, and occult blood checks, along with a colonoscopy. The physician has also noted that different vitamin deficiencies can result due to prolonged diarrhea. Thus, multivitamin supplements should be considered instead of B12 injections alone.

Then the same user raised issues about intravenous feeding and fluid, the doctor advised them that since she was eating normally and did not suffer from diarrhea anymore, the oral feeding should be emphasized. Glucose and Ringer's lactate should be given intravenously where it is necessary and never mixed in normal cases.

The patient and the family members finally realized that the fatigue she experienced did not necessarily mean that she required a blood transfusion. This meant that instead of trying out temporary solutions, the family had a proper plan that involved investigating any deficiencies in her diet and recovery.

In some cases, even once the symptoms of diarrhea stop, recovery from a chronic digestive condition is incomplete due to persistent deficiencies in nutrients that have developed during the illness. It was in such a situation that this family received expert advice about their mother's case, enabling them to move one step further towards her recovery. This gave clarity about their mother’s situation and gave them hope to take the next step forward with medical guidance.