Fatigue? | Arthritis Information

 

I have been very lucky and in my 5 years of having RA I have had little fatigue.  Today at two different times I had this strong feeling of fatigue come over me.  It only lasted about 30 minutes each time.  This was different from the all day fogs I have felt after taking my MTX.  I have had a flare this week that is going away.  Has anyone else had this? I have.  Fatigue can come and go in the blink of an eye.  I take it as meaning that I am pushing myself and doing too much and I need a break from what I am doing.  Fatigue is very common with RA and what you are experiencing is perfectly normal.  I can't sleep right now and wish I had some fatigue!!! Thank you for your answer.  Funny thing is I posted that message at 1AM.  When I did finally lay down, I couldn't sleep.  I was exhausted but not sleepy.  Make sense?

It makes total sense to me.  I, too, feel exhausted but cannot sleep.  I also have fibro and with that comes sleep disturbance.  I take amitriptyline for sleep but still have a heck of a time sleeping.

Fatigue is a absolute constant for me between RA and FM. However, if this is new to your experience, then maybe you should question it. What was your bloodwork last office visit? Have you developed anemia?

Hopefully this was a one time event brought on by the flare. Fatigue is always a big part of a flare for me.

I get so tired of being tired.
Argh....fatigue is my biggest problem with RA, as well as general listlessness. Regular excercise helps. Makes absoloute total sense.  It happens to me all the time.  Usually I am sleeping when I posted my response to you lol.  Just couldn't sleep last night.  Fatigue for me is more annoying than the pain sometimes.  I can take something for the pain.  I can't take anything for the fatigue.  Can't nap..can't sleep..nothing.  I can sit down and take a break but even with that the fatigue is still hanging around.  It is extremely annoying to me. 

Deanna,

My Doc did say he was going to watch my blood counts as he suspects anemia.  Said it looks like it is food related (iron deficiency).  Duh!  I never thought about that.  I go in for another blood test this week.

Thanks

 

I too find fatigue harder to deal with than the pain.
One minute I feel fine then the next minute feel like
I have been hit by a bus.   I also have trouble sleeping which just seems to make the problem go around.   I think if the scientists could sort out why we cant sleep it would help with the RA - sleeping pills arent the answer as they are addictive and I dont think they give the right quality of sleep. I find the pain easier to deal with by using painkillers but the fatigue really gets to me - it just interferes with your life so much.
I think someone on this board said it is the RA constantly attacking our bodies that exhausts us but why is it we often cant sleep at night when we are so exhausted? I give up!has anyone tried an adhd medication for their fatigue? I have heard that they have put people on this for severe fatigue. (ritalin) I think this is something new they are trying. I haven't heard of that.  It sounds interesting but I am not sure I want to add another med to already growing list.  As annoying as the fatigue is, I feel I would just rather deal with it.  It is a little easier for me since I do not work out of the house and can rest when I feel like it.  But it still is annoying.  Like when I feel great and want hubby to take me to walmart.  Then when I get out of the shower I'm all exahusted again.  GRRRRR.I used to be so high energy. Have had RA for 8? years now, and my
energy is gone gone gone.

I am not the same person.

But if your fatigue is new to you, I agree to have your labs checked out.I was put on one of the neuropathy meds (Endep) which not only dulls the neuropathy pain but helps me sleep a solid 8-10 hours. Goodbye fatigue.I was also put on Endep (also amitriptyline ). It certainly helps me get to sleep. I still wake a few times through the night, but i can get back to sleep. Love it for that!

Tell your doc - I can go to bed and be soooooooo tired but my brain won't shut down - I take ambien and all I can say is a good nights sleep is priceles!!!  Hugs and good vibes. 

I can 2nd the help from Ambien.  for me it has been a miracle med.  I haven;t slept the whole night through for over a decade.  Using Ambien fixed that and it really does not leave one with any of the hang-over stuff we can get from using a tricyclic or similar "sleeping pill".

I am a fan of herbal options too.  I do not take the Ambien every night for more then about a week.  I then go back to herbal options for a week.  I have had good luck since adding an extended release Melatonin.  Only problem is Melatonin can actually stimulate the immune system.  Sooooo, I can have a flare when I use it...which is why I limit it to just once  in a while.

I also use Valerian Root and 5HTP.  But if you are taking other things like SSRI's and such you NEED to talk to your doc before adding them.  These are real meds and can have significant interactions with your already complicated combo of meds for your RA.

I have dexedrine for my ADHD which I take maybe once a week, when I have
to do something that requires concentration. Dexedrine is basically speed in
a pill form. I haven't noticed it helping me with sleep or fatigue problems,
(unless I take more than my ideal dose---then I'm totally not fatigued, haha!
But I think it's bad for my body and health to make it go artificially like
that,so I never take too much on purpose).Okay well before I saw my PCP I needed SOMETHING to help me sleep. I tried stuff like Unisom but it left me SUPER drowsy in the AM. So Crunchy told me about Melatonin pills, and I started using those. I still use them and I don't get groggy from them. I still have fatigue during the day, but when I've taken the melatonin the night before, its SIGNIFICANTLY lower.

All in all, there is something to be said for getting a GOOD nights sleep, no matter where it comes from.

Copyright ArthritisInsight.com