Would you please tell me how you define fatigue? I do not feel sleepy but my body feels exhausted. I have trouble moving and trouble getting out of a chair. Yes, I have pain in my joints and I feel best just sitting. But, I am not getting anything done! :) I even find it hard to sit up at the computer. And lately it is hard to write with a pen. Hopefully this will pass soon. If you read my other topic about my wanting to find employment, I think I must have been in denial! :) Please write me back and tell me if RA feels the same to you! Susan LeeYep, that sounds like me. I sit. I think about all the things I need to do. But I don't necessarily do them. Sounds to me like you described "fatigue" just perfect.
Like the others have said...your definition of fatigue was perfect. I feel like that quite often. You'll have a lot of those days, but you'll hopefully have good days as well
THE BRAIN WORKS BUT THE BODY JUST DOESN'T QUITE MAKE IT TO THE DOING PART OF THE PLAN.
Yep the mind is willing but the body says no way! Now that is when I am trying to take it easy and do things in little spurts. I just get to a point where my body will shut down. Even though I am awake and even wanting to do things, I just cant convince my body to get moving. When I force myself to go and go and go...the fatigue is on a whole new plane...I am completely wiped then. Cant think cant speak cant move. And I just power sleep for hours and hours and when I wake up it takes several more hours before I can get up and get going again. When ever I sit here and really think about it, I realize just how clever (and true) the spoon theory really is!!! Sounds like you have a good doctor too. See Linda, there are many going through the same fatigue symptoms that you are. Hope it helped to know you are not alone! Take care and let us know how you are doing! Susan Lee
I have noticed that I feel a lot better if I can get a little fresh air
and sun. I was having a miserable day Saturday and I took my
daughter to the pool and just watched her, and being out in the air and
sun and seeing people interracting really lifted my spirits and my
symptoms totally lessened.
Still, there are days when I have managed to find some energy and have managed to get some things done and that's when I do too much and then I have to rest again.
Thanks everyone for your messages. I just came from my Rheumy and we discussed the feeling of fatigue that you have all written about and I have felt. He said it is very common with RA. He also told me that my disease is very active and he cannot put me back on MTX with my Enbrel because of my high liver enzymes. So all I can take is prednisone. I know I told you all that I would never go back on it. But he said I risk being crippled because my RA is so uncontrolled. So I had no choice...but we are starting a very small dose. After being on and off of it for 30 years I really thought I could just say no. But, it isn't working that way and I have to face it. I hate the side effects but with high liver enzymes I cannot take anything else. That's my story for today! Hope yours is better! Susan LeeWell, it is a choice of two evils and we all have to do what we have to
do. Sadly it is a matter of quality of life. I am on the
evil pred. too. I really know how you feel.
Of course, some days are better than others. Motivation can be fleeting, so seize it when it comes! I recommend trying to exercise. I can't say I do it that regularly... yet. But I found a friend that goes to yoga once a week and she's been an inspiration for me. Having someone to make you accountable always helps. There are times when I don't feel like getting out of bed, simply because I don't feel like moving the covers off me. Fatigue might be the worst part of this disease.Susanlee, I'm on the prednisone too and would like to get off it . Actually I'd like to get off the plaquanil and metetrexate too. The enbrel I don't mind. Can you take one of the new biologics? I found the enbrel gave me more energy than I had before. The whole fatigue issue is the worst part of this disease to me.Yoga---you know I should look into that--since I am resistant to get into a swim suit for water aerobics. As a matter of fact I am stating now that I absolutly REFUSE to take any prednisone untill I lose all of the weight I want plus 5 extra pounds. I am putting my foot down!I truly loved my belly dancing classes once a week... no impact, work up a sweat, toned a lot, isolated muscle movements!! I just wish my local dance studio would find a new instructor, so I could start again... I loved it and it didn't hurt!!!
I so understand where you all are coming from. I said I would never take prednisone again until the doctor and I had a good talk and he let me know what could happen if I don't control this disease. And like I said before, I have liver problems and I cannot take most of the other drugs available. I can though, take Enbrel which I have been on for awhile. It just isn't enough. So I had no choice but to go back on a small dose of Prednisone too. I so hope I don't gain weight back. I lost 19 lbs during the month I have been off of it. And it felt so good. I looked like me again! But the doctor said what is more important? For me, I picked a few pounds versus the crippling of my joints which are already showing signs of trouble. Hope those of you who are off Prednisone will not have to choose to go back on. Hopefully if you need help the the doctor will be able to prescribe something else. But for me, even though I fight it, Prednisone always seems to win out! Susan Lee
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