My RA (diagnosed two years ago) is pretty well controlled at this point with Enbrel and MTX. My question is about fatigue. Even though the RA is manageable now, I find fatigue is still a real problem. After a good night's rest, first I drag around trying to wake up (I'm not a coffee drinker), I get a few hours of activity, errands, etc., done, but when I'm tired, I absolutely have to stop. Some days it's not much of a problem, but other days it can be a major problem and keep me from doing what I want to do. I'm 62 years old but know many people my age who have a lot more stamina. I'm interested in others' experience with this and if you know if this is normal with RA. I just keep thinking that if I'm feeling well, I shouldn't get tired so easily. Thanks everyone. Linda P.S. no longer on prednisone
I have a two hour window each day to do some things as long as it is not to physical. Walk the dog, a bit of shopping, take some photographs, house work and the like.
When doing something like photography (which I enjoy) I might be able to stretch it a bit more, but when the fatigue starts ( yep I feel it coming) I have to pack it in and head for home.
I then spend the rest of the day moving about in a slow and as relaxed way that I can.
This usually involves having a nap for an hour.
If by chance I have to push myself more than usual on a given day I usually pay for it the next. The following can be spent feeling exhausted and that nap can turn into 3 hours out cold.
Some days are better than others but that is what I have to get accustomed to, and except it.
I simply cannot rush around any more and must be measured in my approach to activities.
I used to get fatigue but not so much these days. It went away after my
2nd month of AP. But every now and then I will just suddenly crash and
just want to lie down (and I do when possible). So the fatigue might
get better as your RA gets more under control.
Hi Linda, I am sure it is pretty normal with RA, even when we are considered "wellcontrolled" your body is still fighting this rotten disease, your immune system is virtually turned off and this alone would tire you out. Have you ever heard about fibromyalgia, if not google it, it seems to go hand in hand with RA eventually. Best of luck, Janie.
hi Linda,
I'm 23 and have exactly the issue you are describing, although my RA is no longer "well-controlled." Even when it was I was just soooo tired all the time, after even the smallest activity like going to the store. For some it seems to go away and for others not. You will learn what you can handle. One of the frustrating things about RA is how limiting it is, but if you take care of yourself it will allow you to maximize the amount of energy you have. Take care.
Hey Charlie Brown - Merry Christmas !!! LOL
Fatigue - I am reposting something I found awhile back through my obsessive research into our common disease. It doesn't stop when we are asleep, it likes to party on. So, what I found out is that it "jerks" us out of deep, good, healing sleeps, but not enough to wake you up. I am not referring to nights of pain when you are up and pacing the floor, having to succumb to extra pain pills if your doctor was smart enough to prescribe them for your breakthrough pain. It actually keeps us from getting a good night's sleep, even though when we wake up we thought we had one.
Just food for thought. My fatigues finally lifted after about 9 months in MTX therapy, but I have added the minocin antibiotic for now, and like GoGo, have seen some huge differences. My energy is back and I don't feel SICK anymore. Just have the pain and the limitations of joints, etc. It's still partying on, but I am not dragging myself around anymore. Take care and good luck - Cathy
fatigue has been the hardest part of this disease for me. I was a very energetic person very active. The pain I can mask and take a pill to releive it. But the fatigue, my family doesnt understand that I just have to stop. The need to sleep can just be overwhelming. I have teenagers and a husband that never gets sick. I am not sure which is worse the need to sleep or the guilt of my family having to stop their activities so I can. I was dx'd a little over a year ago compared to others on this board mine is not aggressive yet. I am on sulfasalizne and naproxen, but neither of those seem to touch the fatigue. My rd says it is part of the disease and really has no solution.Hello. Fatigue is currently the one constant of my dis-ease. Some days the level of fatigue is, for lack of a better descriptor, manageable; other days it is a struggle. Today it is a struggle as the wind blew most of the night and a cold front is moving through.A few things that have help me:
1) walking about 3 to 4 miles a day...I always start out feeling tired but end up feeling better...it takes real commitment to start sometimes
2) yoga...the stretching really helps loosen the joint and the quiet mediative part of it helps me release stress...I do about an hour a day spread out, not all at once
3) taking an over the counter NSAID often helps with the fatigue though it doesn't touch the joint pain. I think it helps reduce the overall level of inflammation which causes fatigue...like the flu.
4) healthy diet...I'm eating lots of fruit, nuts, dark chocolate, organic vegetables and meats...less sugar
Hope this helps,
Alan
The fatigue has been an issue for me lately. I've had a guidance counselor in my room all week, so I haven't had to teach. I've still been working but it's not nearly as exhausting. Even sleeping nine hours and not "on the stage" teaching, I'm still bone tired.
I really want to exercise, but the RD says wait until some of the inflammation recedes. I tried a class, first in a good while, and my elbow just about killed me, kept me from sleeping.
It's really damned annoying.
Fatigue is big problem with me also. I have a "window" in which I can run my errands and get some exericise in and some housework etc. done and then, I'm finished. I've learned that if I'm going to swim, it has to be later in the afternoon because it wipes me out. It is so frustrating. My husband has just retired, he's young, 48, and there is so much we could be out doing if I just had the energy.
My mom calls and complains about how tired she gets, and how she's not getting her work done, and I know exactly how she feels. She's 91, I'm 53!
It's impossible to explain this fatigue to other people. Sometimes I feel so lazy and worthless and like I could just overcome it if I really tried. Mtx (12 months now) has not helped at all; recently had Rituxan infusions that I THINK are helping - but I am concurrently dealing with a ruptured Achilles tendon - surgery next week - so of course that adds to the fatigue factor right now.
I retired early at 59 two years ago so I could have time to do all the things I love to do - walking, travel, photography. But damn it, RA keeps me from doing almost everything, and it makes me mad!!!
These posts sound a lot like my problems, too. I'm 68 and was diagnosed 3 years ago. Before RA I was a bundle of energy. Now I'm sorta, mostly, nearly controlled with MTX alone, since I can't tolerate Nsaids. I think Alan is right that nsaids give us a boost from the fatigue, and I miss them. :)
My fatigue comes with a mild nausea, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, and a general "gotta sit down now" feeling. Fortunately it doesn't happen every day, and it doesn't last more than a few hours. And fresh air really does help. I have a tricycle now which is perfect for gentle exercise.
But wouldn't it be great if we had a pill for an instant energizer?
Ellie
Hi Linda, I'm a 53 woman who also suffers like you do. I know my fatigue is also due to Fibromyalgia. Which I was diagnosed 23 years ago. I'm sorta a newbie, I was only diagnosed with RA about 6 months ago. I do get frustrated with the fact that I'm so tired all the time, from doing nothing. I'm methotrexate, enbrel and folic acid. Are you in a lot of pain also? Sometimes I try and push beyond the fatigue, but then I pay for it. I was wondering if anybody has any ideas how I can handle this? I'm sorry you have to be here. Hopefully you'll be able to find some answers. Take care and God Bless!
Dotti51
No, Dotti, I haven't been having a great deal of pain (just some breakthrough pain fixed with Tylenol w/codeine) since the Enbrel and MTX took effect. That has become pretty manageable. Fatigue is the big deal now. I do water aerobics in a warm water pool with an instructor trained in arthritis exercises and that really helps with keeping mobile. It sure has been a comfort reading all these stories although, I, too, am sorry all of you have to go through this---it isn't fun!!! Everyone, hang in there and I'll try to, too. LindaI have no answer to the fatigue problem - the only time I seem to hve any energy is when I have been on a pred pack and that doesn't last for too long - and pred. can be destructive to bones so I use that only when severe pain and rheumy deem it absolutely necessary. And this type of fatigue doesn't seem to be able to be "pushed back" - when I hit the wall I have to go rest - even if it is just for 20 mins. or so. Back in my "normal days" - over 26 years ago and last century - if I were dead tired I could always push myself just a little bit longer - AND had a gleaming house/dug-up garden beds/trolley full of shoping etc etc to make it all worth while. Now, any chores to be done just get tackled a little at a time. Am waiting for medical researchers to come up with a pep pill for us with no bad side effects!