Anyone else so tired that they are falling asleep at bad times, like on the job?!
I haven't been on in a while because I have been so tired. I go home, stare at the tv and go right to bed. I am thinking I might need to try some caffine, even though I don't drink it.
I hope everyone else is having a more awake day than I am!
I only feel that bone weary when I'm flaring/have done too much pottering about/or had a very mentally busy day at work. That said if I didnt take my thyroxine each morning I'd be in the same boat you are now. My son also takes thyroxine (a big dose), and wouldnt be able to function if he didnt. If you are not flaring/got an infection etc could you have an underactive thyroid?
Christina, I am like that too! I have told my doctors and we have lowered some of my more sedating meds. But I really have chalked it up to my sleeping meds. Lately I have tried Ambien, Restoril, Lunesta and currently trying a sample of Rozerem.
I know the Ambien and Lunesta are in a class having a somewhat "hypnotic" effect. All I know is that I have fallen several times, and at least two of those times, I really feel like I just fell asleep at an inappropriate time, and woke in the middle of a bad fall.
I've discussed this possibility with my pain spec., who also prescribes my sleeping med. We decided to try Rozerem, because it is in a different class of drugs, which are supposed to increase your melatonin (sp?). That is what helps us sleep, naturally. It does not work nearly as well for getting to sleep and I wake up a dozen times a night, but hopefully, it will decrease the number of falls that I have.
You should really talk to your doctor about these episodes. They may be able to adjust your meds to keep that effect to a minimum.
Good luck! I hope you can find out what is causing the problem.
Hugs, Nini
Thanks Nini, that is terrible that you have fallen! I felt like it before but it hasn't actually happened. Becareful! I hope you can figure that out and you start to get a good nights sleep.
My body just gets exahsted. My breathing even changes, it feels like when you just about fall asleep or when you wake up, you know that deep belly breathing? So weird
I am not on any meds though. Except enbrel and this started before I went on that. I sleep well too with out any help. Maybe I should mention it to my doc.
I used to drive from a small town in Nev. to Reno to shop and I'd have to pull over to the side of the road or in the rest stop to nap. It was less than 60 miles but I couldn't stay awake. Like others, I only do this when I'm flaring. Presently, I'm flaring and can sleep anywhere. We just drove 5 hours to Tucson and I slept off and on most of the way. I've fallen asleep at dinner, the movie theater, and even a party! You're not unusual in that respect. Lindychristina,I was feeling the same as you are now.Know matter how mush sleep i got i felt rung out and exhausted.I read online about provigil and asked my RD to prescribe it for me.Its the best thing I ever did. Have much more energy and drive.I dont feel like sleeping 24/7.Even my husband has noticed a big difference in me.Go online an research it an see what you think.Also there are a few here on it and can also give you some info on their experiance with it.good luck..
Hi dear, well I don't work , but I've been falling asleep in front of the TV while my husband is carrying on a conversation. He'll say 'did you hear me'? And I'll sorta wake up and say 'huh?" , what? Dumb stuff like that. I'm not sure what's going on, but I hate feeling like i just want to go back to bed all the time! I'm glad it's not just me. Caffeine does help. Lynda < =text/>_popupControl();Wow Nini…please be very careful.
Having RA can really play havoc on your sleep cycle to begin with. Then we add in the medications and side effects from the medications, it seems we either never sleep or can not get into that restful REM sleep.
I guess you could approach this one of two ways. Either try to get your sleep cycle back to where you can get into an REM sleep, or if that fails, a medication like Provigil to stay awake. There are a few people here that are on it and have had good results with it. I take it once in awhile when I know I need to be awake and not fatigued for the day and just love it.
Also make sure that you do not have any thyroid problems that would be preventing you from sleeping well.
I hope you can get some restful and restorative sleep soon!!!
Thanks guys. Jenny, I may ask about that drug. At this point I am willing to try anything. I slep from 8pm-10am this morning! Felt sooo good though!
I love naps, I can't go a day with out a good nap. I actually look forward to it!
< =text/>_popupControl(); I love naps!! I even have my nap routine! It really is ok to take a nap during the day if that is what your body needs and you can take one. You have a chronic illness where the major part of it is fatigue and you do need to rest. However, you should not be falling asleep at inappropriate times. I once had an apartment 3 blocks from my job. I would walk home and take a nap most days... my boss knew to call me if I wasn't back in an hour. I used to go to my car for a nap between classes. I just couldn't stay wake. The provigil has made all the difference in the world. I still take naps most day, but I can make it through work all day before I do. What is provigil? I have never heard of it before? Is it pretty safe?It is a medication to treat excessive sleepiness. It is used for narcolepsy, for people who's meds cause excessive sleepiness and for shift worker. Here is a link for the website. I don't think I could work without it.I tried provigil, too. Unfortunately, had a bad reaction from it, and didn't help me at all. But I do know that many patients have had wonderful results with it. It certainly is worth a try, if your doc agrees!
Best of luck!
Hugs, Nini
When I start getting THAT tired, I know I'm either about to flare, or I am flaring. I was so bad before I finally got the insurance this year that I was taking naps in my car on my lunch break! In fact, I was even coming in a little early, so that my break was LONGER.I know how you feel. Lynda
Good idea Milly, I also have problems with anemia. Seems to be getting worse. That is part of the fatigue too. I asked the doc whether that was due to RA or the drugs and she said "YES". It is a symptom of chronic disease. It also causes shortness of breath.Alright, I am definitely going to see a doctor about this!!!! I have had ENOUGH! I got a great nights sleep last night, didn't wake up one time....and I can barely hold my head up. I had to go take a mini nap again...so unprofessional. Do I call my regular doc or the RA doc?
< =text/>_popupControl();You can call either doc. Which one do you think you have a better chance with getting to prescribe you the Provigil? Either one of my docs would do it for me. Or just call your RD since the fatigue is RA related and your PCP might shoo you off to your RD because of that. Either way, good luck and hope you get the Provigil quickly!!