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 need a break. But when your need for rest seems excessive or becomes disruptive – thwarting your productivity, making everyday tasks seem daunting, robbing you of enjoyment and interaction with others – what once may have been tiredness has become fatigue. But rest assured: There are viable fatigue treatments and means to beat fatigue.
Fatigue often means something sinister is lurking. The symptom accounts for 10 million doctor office visits each year, many of who are by people with arthritis-related conditions. Up to 98 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) report fatigue, as do 50 percent or more of those with lupus or Sjögren’s syndrome. The percentage grows higher when obesity, depression, fibromyalgia, congestive heart failure, lung problems or chronic headaches are present, too.
Because so many people with so many different medical problems experience fatigue, doctors have a tough time sorting out causes. Here we take a look at what could be behind your zapped energy and help you learn how to beat fatigue.
The challenge of fatigue
Fatigue is hard to describe and harder to diagnose. If you find yourself with no energy even after a full night’s rest, it may be fatigue. But understanding fatigue requires more than understanding the body’s normal need for rest.
Martha Grant, 53, of Berkeley, California, knows fatigue all too well. Except for a brief respite in her early 20s, she’s struggled with it since her diagnosis with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) at age 11. “Most people feel well as the norm and then get the flu for a few days. For me, living with fatigue is like having the flu every single day,” she says.
In a study of how people with RA perceive fatigue, Sarah Hewlett, PhD, senior lecturer in Rheumatology Health Professions at the University of Bristol in England, found patients described fatigue as “severe weariness and dramatic and overwhelming exhaustion attributed to inflammation, working the joints harder and getting unrefreshing sleep.” Patients with various chronic diseases experience fatigue as an occasional come-and-go symptom, but many RA patients experience long-lasting fatigue, says Ken Pischel, MD, head of the rheumatology division at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, California. Their bouts of fatigue sometimes seem unwarranted because they usually aren’t preceded by excess activity and may even occur when their joints are feeling good.
As such, patients have a hard time telling their doctors what may have led to the fatigue. In Hewlett’s study, the few RA patients who felt comfortable discussing fatigue with their doctors still reported inadequate care for it, perhaps because of the emphasis on more measurable physical problems, or perhaps because pain is usually eased with medication, whereas a fatigue treatment isn’t that straightforward. In often-rushed appointments, doctors may only be able to confirm fatigue’s existence, but Hewlett says this offers little help to patients.
Grant agrees. She knows the “Oh dear, here we go again” look from doctors when she brings up her fatigue. “Doctors don’t want to hear how tired patients feel – I think it makes them feel uncomfortable because they can’t fix it,” she says.
Indian frankincense (Boswellia serrata) has been used in the Middle East for religious rituals and healing for thousands of years. The herb is a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, and analgesic.
Recently, European and American medical professionals have begun to confirm the tremendous health benefits of frankincense, and are increasingly incorporating it into clinical practice.
Speedy Relief from Arthritis Pain
One the most promising applications for frankincense is in treatment of osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis and a major culprit behind knee and hip pain.
Osteoarthritis is caused by a breakdown of cartilage in the joints. This painful and often debilitating condition affects 28% of adults over age 45 and 37% of adults over age 65 in the United States.
Studies show that herbal arthritis remedies such as an enriched frankincense extract could significantly reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis within 1 week!
One trial, led by Siba Raychaudhuri of the University of California, Davis, investigated the effects of 30% AKBA (3-0-acetyl-keto-beta-boswellic acid), a concentrated version of one of the active ingredients in frankincense.
According to Raychaudhuri, “AKBA has anti-inflammatory properties, and we have shown that [frankincense] enriched with AKBA can be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis.”
Herbal Arthritis Remedies: An Herb Fit For a King
Practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine in India have used frankincense for centuries. They call the herb Gaja-bhaksha or Sallaki Guggul, and have used the gum resin to treat everything from fevers to…respiratory diseases…diarrhea…leprosy…dysentery…ringworm…and heart conditions.
Pliny the Elder, commander of the early Roman Empire and author, naturalist, and philosopher, mentioned frankincense as an antidote for hemlock poisoning. The ancient Egyptian elite used it in rejuvenating facial treatments. However, its most famous historical use is as a precious gift given to kings and other nobles.
Frankincense is also used ceremonially by several religious denominations.Its sweet, earthy aroma stimulates and elevates the mind. It’s said to be a helpful aid for:
• Visualization
• Improving your spiritual connection
• Centering the self
• Recovering from emotional trauma
• Overcoming stress and despairHow Frankincense Targets Arthritis
Researchers believe that frankincense’s medicinal properties come from boswellic acids. Boswellic acids have proven anti-inflammatory abilities, and may be useful for the treatment of conditions such as:
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
As mentioned above, boswellic acids are also very powerful against osteoarthritis. Additionally, preliminary research indicates that boswellic acids may actually protect your cartilage from damage and deterioration before it occurs.
In June 2011, Dr. Emma Blain and Professor Vic Duance of Cardiff University, with Dr. Ahmed Ali of the Compton Group, spoke to the media about the benefits of frankincense for alleviating arthritis pain.
The team believes that an extract of a rare species of frankincense–Boswellia frereana–blocks the generation of molecules that degenerate and inflame cartilage tissue. Their work so far has focused on “whether and how these extracts can help relieve the inflammation that causes the pain.”
Ending Inflammation Without the Side Effects
Boswellic acid appears to reduce inflammation in a way similar to mainstream non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which make up approximately half of all drugs used to treat pain.
Unfortunately, long-term use of NSAIDs–as for a chronic condition like arthritis–often results in irritation and even ulceration of the stomach.
Dr. Raychaudhuri noted, “The high incidence of adverse effects associated with currently available medications has created great interest in the search for effective herbal arthritis remedies and safe alternative treatment.”
It seems frankincense is a wonderful candidate for that position! Considering the negative side effects associated with mainstream osteoarthritis treatments, it becomes even more appealing.
A recent study in India found that compared to the common osteoarthritis drug Ketoprophan, frankincense is:
• Less toxic
• More beneficial
• More potent
Herbal Arthritis Remedies: How to Use Frankincense
Natural health experts recommend taking a 400mg dose standardized to contain 37.5% boswellic acids, saying that this dose can be taken up to 3 times daily. And even though this herb has shown the potential to reduce pain in as little as a week, results may not always be immediate.
Therefore, most practitioners advise using frankincense consistently for at least 8 weeks before deciding whether or not it’s working for you.
Side effects at the 400mg dose are rare, but in some instances, individuals have had mild allergic reactions or some gastrointestinal distress.
Experts advise that pregnant woman should not take frankincense and its safety for young children, nursing women, and those with severe liver or kidney disease is unknown at this time.
Further Related Reading:
NSAIDs Drugs and Their Risks
Natural Arthritis Treatment By Way of A Green Lipped Mussel
Methyl-Sulfonyl Methane A Natural Supplement Helps Arthritis Pain
The fatigue is one of the most limiting factors of these diseases. I have found the following to be helpful:
1) Get involved in positive activities. My 3 blessings were quite involved in 4-H, and I was a 4-H leader. We are also involved in our church. Both groups are very positive and most people are quite understanding of your limitations.
2) Eat healthy foods. I have found that eating 3 good meals a day helps a lot in keeping fatigue down to a minimum.
3) Whenever possible, stretch out on your bed for 20 - 45 minutes a day. Even if you don't sleep, the stretching out allows your body to relax & restore. I found it's best if I don't read, watch TV or listen to music during my "stretch out" time because my mind needs to rest, also. If I am gone all day, then I try to take 20 minutes when I get home before doing other activities such as fixing dinner, cleaning, etc.
4) Get a hobby. Write, crochet, garden, build things, embroider, read to kids, sew - do something to get your creative juices going. Sure, you might not be able to do as much as you used to because of physical limitations. But, keeping your mind active helps a lot with fatigue.
One lady I knew sent birthday cards out to everyone in the church each month. The church supplied the cards & stamps - she took the time to address & mail them. It meant a lot to her and it was one of the things that kept her going until she passed away (she was in her 90's).
A lady in our church who has MD & RA serves as the "check-in" person for children's church. She also occasionally sings solos in the services.
5) Don't give up. Keep on going. Yes, there will be bad days - I've had my share of them. But I have decided to NOT let them hold me back. See yourself as "re-inventing" you from your pre-disease days to what you are now - and then accept your new self. This attitude will help a lot in keeping both depression and fatigue to a minimum.
God bless you all.
1 teaspoon Apple cider vinegar (I use Bragg's, there's a recipe on the bottle too)
1 teaspoon honey or any sweetener you like
1 cup of warm water
Mix it together and sip slowly when you first get up. You're not supposed to chug it.
Repeat mid morning and again mid afternoon.
I mix all 3 servings in the morning, so I don't have to bother all day.
Besides the tests mentioned above, I'd recommend Vit D3 tests, another cause of fatigue. I was tested and found low, and medication has helped lessen fatigue.
Splitting up rest through the day, educating my family members so they can recognise symptoms of fatigue and expect lesser of me, and regular light exercise and yoga regime has helped cope.
Although I have only tried electrotherapy to great success, I believe other alternatove treatments like acupuncture, massage with emu oil and tender points and oral consumption of emu oil capsules do help for fibromalgia.
Good luck and good health to all.
The best thing for Fibro based on my experience is to keep your body warm/hot at all times to the point of sweating. sit in the sun. wear hat/warm clothing in cold weather. take hot baths often. exercise to very slow music in a calm environment. Since Fibro I don't go to the gym anymore, I do it at home.
I found sleeping pills to be the worst thing since they cause drawziness during the day time. Fibro causes fogginess/fatigue there is no need to add to that by taking sleeping pills.
life with Fibro is just slower than normal, like a slow motion movie nothing else. too much pressure on any part of the body can cause severe pain that can last for a few days, so stay away from physical stress as well as mental stress.
take it easy if you have Fibro.
I pray you all find answers and hope and pray we all survive til the cure is discovered. Thanks for listening, maybe some of this will help. You can plug in the Marshall protocol into the search engine to get more information about it.
Praying the Rosary is very peaceful and renewing for me. Sewing is a hobby that cheers me and takes my mind off of how I am feeling. Watching a good movie or visiting with family or friends helps me feel more normal. Doing mild stretching sitting in a chair helps me move and lessens pain.
What are you doing TODAY to help yourself feel better?
I am on lots of meds, also have sleep apnea and on a bipap machine at night. I cant drive because of muscle relaxers and so many pain pills and other meds. I have to find others to take me places. Having problems with legs and ankles swelling a lot but am on lasix and am watching salt and sugar intake. I hope that everyone can find peace with themselfs and take it one day at a time. But most of all, try to keep moving. Move it or lose it motto. If you dont keep trying you will lose any mobility you do have. Take care everyone and God Bless~!
I probably had this working on me for a while before I was diagnosed, because my osteoarthritis started when I was in my late 30s, early 40s and now I have degenerative disc disease. I have mold allergies, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, carpal tunnel, battle weight problems, have ongoing problems with my feet, concentration and memory issues, am now disabled. If I could recover my concentration and memory issues, I would probably give up my SSDA and go back to work even with the pain and exhaustion. However, now I can't multitask at all and the least amount of stress sets me off. So, I am stuck. Being 56, I am not old, but am not a spring chicken, either.
I read everyone's comments and I can relate. I can't keep up with my house, cooking, laundry, etc. It drives me crazy! I have never been a good housekeeper, but I like it a little better than it is. I have trouble organizing myself and think I could manage better if I could just organize myself. I am overwhelmed.
I have lost something like 15 family members and my dearest friend (she died in a plane crash) in the past 5 years. I know I need to talk to a counselor or therapist of some kind, but never get organized enough to do it. I need one my insurance will pay for, of course.
To top it all off, we are on COBRA and are paying $1183/mo for insurance until I am eligible for Medicare in January. This was the stupidest provision to put in the SSDA eligibility regs--that you have to wait 2 years from the date of your original application to get Medicare. I know two people who are in this waiting period and they have no insurance and they are sick and they need it! This should not have been stricken from health care reform, but it was.
All of this helps make me a bit of a crazy lady. I look forward to the day that they isolate a gene or something and can develop a cure for this.
My name is Becky in the year 2000 I broke my ankle it took over 6 months to heal. The Doctors didn't really know what to do with me. The pain was always there. so they sent me to a specialist who said I had RSD. They said that I would just have to live with it and the pain that goes with it. A doctor did a lumbar sympothectomy on me with took away some of the pain. A year later my neck was hurting so bad I ended up have back surgery, well really 2 back surgeries. The 1st one after I went home I nocticed the pain was worse I called the office and the receptionist said I had to give it time. Well after 1 week that was enough, I called back and said I was coming in no mater what something was wrong. Sure enough he had done the wrong disc. So that night I was put into the hospital and had the right one done, it was 4, 5 & 6 disc they took a bone out of my hip to put inbetween the disc, that was no picnic! So everything went ok. But I kept getting tired and my joints hurt so bad. Next thing I knew they were sending me to an Arthritis Doctor. Ran more test and found out I had RA. I was given all kinds of meds,prednisone, plaqunil,Humara, and the last one was Remicade which worked great for a 1 year, then everything went wrong! The Remicade torn into my immune system. I was in the Sidney Hospital for over 3 weeks they couldn't figure out what was wrong, so they sent me home with a fever. About 3 days later I fell onto the floor, don't remeber much but I was sent to St Ritas Hospital for about 3 weeks and 2 days. Most of my Doctors were nice one though gave me a very rough time. I was in Isolation for 3 weeks, sick so sick I couldn't even sit up and was loosing alot of weight. When the Doctor came in he was up set because I wasn't up walking in the halls. The ladys from rehab told him I wouldn't try. Well when you have to were a face mask and you are throwing up and can't walk it is a little hard to do the exersize. So He said I would send you to Ohio State but it is over the holiday and they will not take you, I tried to tell him what was going on and thank God I had a great nurse because when this was all going on the nurse was in my room getting my meds ready and he stuck up for me and said I was very sick. well the Doctor left. Everyone left the room, it hit me hard and I started to cry well my nurse, Mike came back in and say me upset and said are you ok and I said I am trying so hard but all he, that Doctor does is yell at me, and my nusre said don't worry you are doing fine and he does that to everyone when he gets in a bad mood. The next day when the doctor came back in I said I want to go home. I had been in the hospitals over Hollween and Thanksgiving I will go back to another hospital but I am spending time with my family. That Doctor never did say he was sorry, but he said he did read my chart and say where I was very ill with fever of 104 and vomiting and the blood clots. I left I ended up going to Cleveland Clinic, They were GREAT! After all the test I went threw I had 4 virses attacking my immune system. The main one was Hymoplazmosis, they put a port in my chest and I did my treatments at home for 1 month every day I was hooked to an IV it took 3 hours for this medicine to go threw. The home health nures that came to my home were so careing, Betty and Jim they were so kind and understanding. And couple of times I got down but they Betty or Jim who was ever here would always be so positive. And that whole time no one could come over because of the medicine I was taking, they were affaid if I got a cold or anything it would not me down so it was pretty lonely. the worst part is my Grandkids would call and I missed them so much, When Timmy said Grandma are you better today so you can come over it would kill me to say no. Now I am thank full that things are so much better. I just got to watch what I do. When ever it gets ready to rain the RA really flares up. And my liver is not good and they found a spot on my lungs which Cleveland keeps an eye on. So if you ever have to take any medicine please read all the side effect before you start! It could mean your life! Everyone wants to win the Lotto to me if you have good health it is so much better than the Lotto!!! Life is short enjoy all of it while you can, you never no what is going to happen. Sincerely, Becky
What i try and do is keep on writing, i am aspiring writer. I have written many short stories dealing with my life. I have completed one novel but i need it to be edited and hopefully someday published but that takes a lot of money or people who know how to get that done.
I try and keep myself busy with volunteering during my good days. That makes me feel good and helps quite a bit.
I wish everyone the best with their RA or OA or whatever aches you have.
The move from San Diego to Columbia in 2003 caused a major fibro flare. I was in severe pain, up to level 7, almost every day. I was severely depressed. Then in April 2004 I was rear-ended, which caused neck pain and aggravated the back pain I had had from a work injury in 1996.
In July 2004 I began participating in a 4-month clinical trial of exercise for people with fibromyalgia and/or arthritis. Unbelievably to me, my pain level went down and my depression decreased. The instructor continued the class at the request of several of us who felt to much better.
In 2007 I became an Arthritis Foundation Certified Exercise Program Leader. I have taught the class since then.
I cannot tell you what a difference regular exercise has made in my life. I have had only two episodes of moderate depression, I am sleeping better, I do volunteer work, and best of all, my pain level rarely exceeds a 1 and is frequently 0.
To find an Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, click on the link at the top right side of this page, click on Programs and Offerings, enter your zip code, and find out if there is a program near you. For those who can tolerate the chlorine in a warm pool, the aquatics program works wonders, too.
My husband tells me I talk too much about the program, but it has helped me so much I want others to know about it. If there isn't an Arthritis Foundation Exercise class near you, any kind of gentle exercise done regularly will help. Tai Chi, yoga, walking, gardening...all of these help. You can also buy an exercise DVD or video tape from the Foundation.
Good luck to all of you. I can't tell you that you will have the same result I got, but I can tell you that you will feel better. Even if you're in so much pain you can hardly walk, just walk across your living room one time. Then in three or four days, walk across the living room two time. Increase as much as you can tolerate. Any movement is better than none. You may be able to only lay down on your bed and lift one of your legs a bit, or lift one of your arms a bit. Every little bit of exercise helps.
Thanks for reading all this. I'll step down from my soap box now,
Kay
The same monsters reside in my body and like you I am trying to work that 40 hour week and keep going. I live alone with two doggies (and the Lord) So there is no one to do the things for me, so I just do what I can when I can. I have GOd and without Him I don't know what I would do. Prayer and faith keep me going, and interacting wtih people like you guys who know what it is like and care.
God Bless you and be good to you.
Tonie
Blessings and love to all
Lorie
Why must everything to treat our problems be so gosh-darn expensive? If it where not for special programs for medicare people in my state, I would just suffer and go blind and live on pain meds in a stupur. As it is Lortab is what lets me sleep many nights.
But....I refuse to give in...I will find a way to do the things I want at least to some degree and I will find joy in the small blessing in life. When I garden I enjoy it so much...but then I spend 2-3 days in extreme pain. but I will not just sit in my rocker and grow old and stiff till I die. I will fight and I will find enjoyment in life. Oh did I mention I also have bipolar disorder and I have fought it and have it in controll will good meds and fine therapists.
Life can be hard....but we can find joy.
Also may I add do NOT feel GUILTY because you get tired easy...it is NOT your fault and you sure didn't ask for it.
God bless you all and keep trying to find at least 1 good thing in every day.
I have the type of mind frame that I won't let illness defeat me but after a year of very little sleep, (I could fall asleep but it only lasted two hours) and pain all over my body that was so bad I didn't know how I was going to keep working. I went to the doctors. Two years later with visits to many doctors and every conceivable test coming back "OK" I thought I was going crazy. Then a neurologist asked me if I had seen a rheumatologist, "no" said I thinking here's another doctor to tell me that there is nothing wrong! Fortunately this wonderful doctor set my mind at ease (I wasn't going mad after all)and diagnosed Fibro. It's not a disease but a syndrome I was told. Here I am over twenty years later still in the holds of this "syndrome", with additional problems due to the many pills I have taken, gastric, intestinal etc. and not to say the least memory and attitude problems. I get so upset with some of the "nasty" side effects of the "intestinal" problems that I get off all of my meds to clear my system and live more normally (not having to ask "Where's the nearest toilet!"). I must admit that regardless of what I have taken none of the meds have really taken away the full pain. Of the ones that seem to be good the main side effects are a greater tiredness and loss of sharpness of memory (not good when you have to work! AND WEIGHT GAIN.
I am now retired so I can give in to the lack of sleep, pain etc. BUT I truly feel by giving into FIBRO (like any other illness) we defeat ourselves. In the beginning I was very much into fitness, I gave it up because I couldn't stand the PAIN but looking back I feel I should have continued with arobics to keep my tendons and muscles more limber. So my advise to all of us Fibro's is to exercise gently to keep ourselves limber.
I have found with myself that I must do everything possible to NOT GET a cold or the flu. These are murder on my system.
My top dislike when we go to the doctors with another health issue is "when they know we have "Fibro", the first thing out of their mouths is "oh well this is most probable related to your "Fibro"! I wish we could train the doctors not to think this, because we can get ill without any relation to "Fibro"
Good Luck with your ILLNESS!
I'm a nurse also, I know exactly what you mean. I work in an office and there are times by the end of the day my husband has to come and help me get out of the car because I can't get out and into the house by myself. Then I sit in a chair watching him fix supper and clean up, do laundry, housework, ect because I can't do it anymore. It's all I can do to work the 40 hour a week job I have. I try so hard to stay positive and get out of bed every morning and get to the job but I know that at some point, I'm not going to be able to work anymore and then we will lose out medical insurance. ( My husband is disabled) If they would just recognize the disease and work with you to help your individual symptoms and needs it would help so much. I am so fortunate that my PCP does understand and does all she can to keep me on my feet but I know many others aren't so lucky in their choice of doctors. Many still don't acknowledge that Fibromyalgia is a disease. I don't know who is finally going to listen in the medical world but please know that those who read this know how you feel and are pulling for you. I don't know your options, if there is a pain management specialist in your area or if another PCP might listen and treat you but don't give up. Go to every doctor you can until you find someone who will help. You can be helped to stay on your feet as long as you can, with medications and the right exercise program. I had a hard time finding a water therapy place but it helped me so much when I did find one and go. I know these measures won't last forever but as long as they work, I'll keep working. After that, who knows? Maybe by then it will be recognized and treated differently than it is now. Hang in there!
I am now at risk of losing my job as a nurse because I cannot keep up the physical pace of my job.
Why doesn't the medical world think fibromyalgia is debilitating, devastating, life changing, heart breaking,unbearable, incapacitating and overwhelming,
causing anxiety, depression, chest pain, brain fog, blurred vision........excessive medical bills.....who is going to listen???
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