You’ve tried stretching, eating more veggies and doing mini-meditations. You’ve even cut out caffeine – but you still feel tired. A do-it-yourself energy booster might not be enough to solve your problems with fatigue. Doctors can help, but when is it time to make that appointment?
“If fatigue is interfering with your day-to-day activities and you’re not able to do the things you want to do because you don’t have enough energy, it’s time to seek medical attention,” says Elinor Mody, MD, director of the Women’s Orthopedic and Joint Disease Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. “Your doctor can help find the cause of the fatigue and offer appropriate treatment.”
• Take the tests. Anemia, depression, sleep apnea and liver disease are just some of the causes of fatigue. Doctors will review your medical history, assess your symptoms and order tests.
“We run standard lab tests to check for iron levels, vitamin D deficiency and thyroid problems to help us rule out some of the more common causes of low energy,” explains Miles Hassell, MD, medical director of the Integrative Medicine Program at the Providence Cancer Center in Portland, Oregon. “It’s important to make time to have the tests done so that your doctor can get to the root of the problem.”
One type of anemia, also called “anemia of chronic disease,” is often seen in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Effective treatment of arthritis usually resolves this type of anemia.
• Be prepared. The more information you can provide your doctor about your symptoms, the better. Arrive at your appointment with notes on the times of day (or month) when your energy is at its lowest, and specify any other symptoms you’ve been experiencing, such as dizziness, rashes or pain.
• Follow the doctor’s orders. Depending upon your test results, your doctor might suggest anything from getting more exercise and starting iron supplements to using antidepressants as energy boosters. It’s important to follow the recommended course of action – and to report back to your doctor if your symptoms worsen or if you have a reaction to any part of the treatment.
People with RA often experience inflammation-related fatigue. Doctors can improve this type of fatigue by prescribing higher doses of your drugs or another drug to control the body’s inflammatory process. Once inflammation is under control, fatigue usually diminishes.
ARE there answers?
I’ve done the anti-inflammatories, steroids, biologics, the DMARDS, TNFs, anti-inflammatory diets, exercise, meditation, antidepressants,etc., etc., etc.!!! I am still dragging myself through my life (Oh wait, I don’t HAVE a life - I barely get through my work day as a healthcare worker in a hospital, & then I sleep, or sit around, just too tired to do ANYTHING at all!). My days off are spent recuperating so I can go back to work again.
I have discussed my problem with my supervisor & HR at the hospital where I work, asking to go part time, only to told that Sutter System won’t let me go part time and keep my benefits - they don’t allow that anymore. . . We all know how wonderful state medical aide is, so I don’t dare go without medical insurance.
I’m SURE I’m not alone here when I tell you that my work wears me down and causes inflammation of my joints...Yet, when I talk to my physicians about this, the reaction I get is different versions of, “It’s your lot in life.”
To get time off in order for me to heal, I have to get SO torn down by pain & fatigue that I eventually I end up with joint damage requiring surgery! After that, I’m good for a maximum of two years at most, then it’s back to the “break down, repair, & rest cycle”, all over again.
What are everyone else’s experiences?
Has anyone come up with a combination of meds, rest, exercise, & change in diet that really helps?
Has anyone had any success reducing work hours AND keeping their benefits?
Are there any groups that will help people on an INDIVIDUAL basis?
When Your immune system is hampered nothing works right. Inflamation builds and tissue loss occurs and the first sign is FATIGUE! Dr's will say depression and numerous things because to treat the illnesses it causes pays way better than curing you. The cure is slim but new meds are on the way. GET TESTED Please for your family because a simple razor mixup or toothbrush can spread it. The tattoos and piercings of today are the miseries of tomorrow. This post is not meant to harm or hurt anyone. If you ever had an airgun shot you could have it. So many ways this is spread and even sex. They say small chance but betcha a dime to a donut with uterine devices like a loop its a big ole Probably.
It sounds like we are all in the same boat. Seven or eight years ago I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the spine along with degenerative disc disease. Four years ago I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's, and just recently my doctor has started to suspect lupus. I've continued to work as a nurse for the American Red Cross. I do mobile blood drives. It's a very physical job with crazy and very long hours. I don't know how much longer I can last. My pain level has pretty much ended any enjoyment I used to have in life and the fatigue has taken just as much. I just don't know what to do to get my life back. I teach a yoga class twice a week. I been practicing for thirty-five years. I used to love it, but have now come to dread my class. My rheumatologist has told me not to stop. I've gone through almost every drug out there. I'm currently on Orencia and Celcept, with Oxycodone for the pain. It only offers minimal relief. I walk all day long with my job(three days a week) and on the weekends with my husband. He's been patient but I know he can't understand what I'm going through. How can one explain? I'm planning to start juicing as soon as I can afford to buy a machine. Does anyone out there have experience with that?
So, bottom line is it is bad, get to a Rheumatologist ASAP. You need Auto immune meds and anti-inflamatories.
Hugs,
BJ
Jan
sorry for your woes! your not alone!
first, traci, those are symptoms of ra,i have ra and my sister has shogrins. i honestly feel these two diseases are truely connected somehow. and for r.case, i dont know why your on plaquenil, or nap. those drugs are the least effective in my specialists opinion. i went to a boob named Dr. sunderam in milwaukee,he had me on those same drugs! he is an idiot and was uncaring to my pain.i fired him immediately! im seen by a caring ra specialist,for 6 yrs now. my ra hasnt gotten any worse, but it hasnt gotten any better. more or less stabalized.
the swelling in my finger joints stopped, but i do feel fatigued more,sleep habbits are messed up,and my body aches all the time.
im taking metho once a week,vicidin(thank god for that)for the pain, whichit only keeps my painsomewhat tolerable, presnidone, and folic acid. im starting a pain clinic this week to see if they can help. ive been depressed for years,and i know that has played into my sickness.but its not what caused my ra. good luck to all of you. i hope
you find a cure, and defineatly better quality of life.
Cheers
DV... (:
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