How To Beat Fatigue
Fatigue is a mysterious and persistent foe, but you can beat fatigue and feel more energetic than ever
Everyone gets tired. That is how the body signals it needs to rest and recharge. Overwork yourself physically and you feel it in your muscles or joints. Overwork yourself mentally and you....
I am unable on some days even to go down my staircase to take the mail in or the garbage out. This is not Depression. I do suffer from depression but this is something different altogether. It is comforting to read everyone's comments; to know that I am not ALONE in this.
My question is this. I have not been diagnosed with R.A. but with early onset OA. Does anyone know if fatigue can be associated with O.A.?
or perhaps I need to be tested for R.A.
Any advice would be helpful. I am exhausted beyond belief.
If I had to choose between getting rid of the pain or getting rid of the fatigue, I would get rid of the fatigue.
But I have made major strides in improving my energy in the last 2 year. I used to spend 16-17 hours per day in bed. Now I still struggle, but some days I feel decent.
I started a primal diet for autoimmune patients. No grains, no nightshades, no dairy, no nuts, no eggs. I mostly eat meat, veggies, and fruits. It was hard at first, but within days of starting the swelling in my joints dropped way down. I take B vitamins, good quality magnesium, and potassium (for that weird exhausted muscle feeling).
Life is still hard with RA, but I have improved immensely eating this way. I managed to get off all steroids for the first time in 4 years.
I have had OA for several decades and was very recently diagnosed with RA.
First I do take B12 everyday. (sublingual) it absorbs and I take twice the dosage)
Secondly, I watch what medicines I am on and if they cause sleepiness I take them late in the day.
Next, it I get an usual sense of being tired I have learned that I have a hidden bacterial or fungal (yeast infection) that is lingering. Being on immune suppressants make us prone to infections. Even a small infection such as a yeast infection can make one very tired. I have an underlying strep infection in my female organs. When I had a pap they never did an ELISA or any other tests other than check the normal and then if I asked they would check for STDS. I have been happily married for 25 years and knew that was not the case.I told my Internal Medicine doctor and he checked and I had Strep that came back with a Pap.
If you are male, a yeast infection can be in a form of a rash or in ones mouth. This is often overlooked in males.
Lastly,if I know I have to go to several appointments and be alert I take Sudafed in the morning. It makes me alert. Caffeine works but one does get a drop later from sugars and caffeine causing afternoon sluggish feeling. I am not diabetic but I have found a few of the Glucerna bars tasty and they work to help even the blood sugar spikes that can cause fatigue also.
If one is on MTX are you taking Folic Acid. If not ask your doctor, as it is highly recommended to do so. Also, are you taking enough? Folic acid works well with B12. This may help some people. I cannot take Neuron tin or Lyrica, unless I want to be sleepy all the time.(one may need to wean off of these medicines as in some people they are addictive and the body needs to slowly have them withdrawn, this is TRUE)
There are a couple new medicines out there that work just as well and have less side effects for some people, that might be an answer for some of you.
Under-treated pain was mentioned and it is a fact. One may have to go to a Pain Clinic or Specialists for pain management. Your doctor has to deal with malpractice insurance and treating chronic pain with Opioids or other pain medicines are going to raise his rates or in some cases their policy forbids it. My Rheumatologist said he is not that knowledgeable about all the pain medicines and their are so many new ones that he recommends someone that specializes solely in knowing all about them for his patients to get the best relief for their pain and this helps one sleep and can alleviate fatigue for some of us.
Lastly, I never stop until I find a solution to my problem. I keep going and I ask a lot of questions. I also found doing a few things I enjoy with a friend helps. Getting away from thinking about my illness and doing chores. Plus, being in a clean environment is important so one does not get sick. I take wipes with me and I ask at the doctors to be seated away from those that I could get an illness from. Take back and have me wait in the room or I will even wait in the hallway but my immune system is low.
Good luck and I believe each of you deserve the best care possible.I understand that we all are dealing with something and less stress really helps.Some things we can control and other things are not easy too. But try everyday to make it a little better for yourself.
FATIGUE?????
Diana
I was first diagnosed with RA almost 31 years ago in 1979 after the birth of my third child and this is the first time since then I have experienced this extreme tiredness and also always susceptible to any cold or virus going around. I have had ups and downs with severs flares and crippling excruciating pains and even had to use a walking stick at times. I am always using some brace , a neck brace nowadays.
Does anyone know if your immune system degenerates over time making you an easy target for any other illnesses.
I was reading all your recent quotes, and just had to share some stuff I have learned over the past couple years. I got diagnosed with RA in 2003, and it was pretty severe by that point...barely able to walk, go upstairs, even use the bathroom (you know how that goes...)..but eventually the methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine (plaquenil) and the assorted steroids for 6 months started to take effect and the massive flare I was experiencing, got under control. But I had read about warm water exercise arhtritis classes as being real good for RA so I started going to those later in 2003...they have really helped, and I continue to go 3 times a week. And believe me I know what it's like to be in so much pain that moving is the last thing you want to do...but strangely the warm water (and hot tub and steam room) really help, so if you have access to anything like that, I strongly recommend it.
Also, a couple years ago I started taking Tai Chi...and what I have learned from that class is not only how to move to stimulate the lymph glands and build back up muscle, but the secret I have really learned is about breathing...breathing into your muscles through this...deep breathing...it really relaxes the body and lets your muscles and joints get some much needed oxygen and blood flow. I have realized how shallow my breathing is throughout most of the day, and especially in the midst of a flare (which I still get, but now I better manage them). The thing is that I can get so "fearful" of the pain, which is so real and tiring, that I start to breathe shallow again and get into a state of fear and almost hopelessness sometimes...but I have found the deep breathing and simple movements of Tai Chi to be very liberating....I can't really explain how it all works, but I defintely have less pain and can sleep much better.
I am a music composer so my hands and fingers degrading can be most frustrating at times, but I have found not fighting it sometimes and then not being afraid of the pain and giving myself a break and just saying it will be better by the afternoon, really helps.
I hope this has helped some of you...I can't recommend the warm water exercise and Tai Chi enough...and just wanted to say I really know what you are going through...it's not easy, but you are never alone:).
Sharon
I moved across the country with my family, started new treatment and found a job in a tamer emergency room. I did quite well for about 2 years and was promoted to charge nurse. The pace in the department has greatly increased and now RA has me wondering how long I will be able to work. My current insurance pays for my enbral and other meds, but I am increasingly fighting fatigue. The nodules on my feet make it hard to stay on my feet for the twelve hour shifts that I work. I can't help but think the stress level that has been in my workplace the past few months is not helping, but I am not in a position to find new work. And, I dearly love what I do. However, when I am not at work I do very little due to pain and fatigue. I want to be more involved with my church, my children and my grandchildren, but I am too tired and don't want to be grouchy in those settings. I look for similar stories and do not find anything similar. I look for advice and get very little guidance. Sometimes I think going on disability might be the right answer, but I am a worker and an achiever. I don't know what to do.
Does this sound familiar?
Thanks
Janie
Does this sound familiar?
Thanks
Janie
May I suggest that when a user selects to print an article, like this one on fatigue that is 6 wweb pages, That the entire paper be printed not just the current page
Thank You
Ron Rondeau
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