I have had the wierdest feelings in the last few months (not diagnosed yet) and wonder if this is some of the fatigue you all feel. For instance, the other day I was at the grocery store. All of the sudden, my feet were so heavy I could barely lift them. It hit me really fast. I was so exhausted, I actually wanted to lay down in the middle of the isle! I went in the bathroom and sat for about 10 minutes resting.
Anyone else get this? It's like one minute I'm fine and the next, weights on my ankles!
Kathy
Kathy
I know exactly how you feel. One min. everything is fine then BAM completely drained of energy. I have felt that way off and on for the last couple of weeks. I thought it was just me adjusting to the Ramicade (5th) infusion.
its not like that with me. i am fatigued all the time. but if i am having a really bad day i will wake up awful and stay like it all day. sort of like being hungover where you have hardly any energy just to move to the toilet etc.i have never had it just come on all of a suddenYep, Kathy, that is it.Impossible to explain to anyone who hasn't experienced 'it'. It must be like mental depression only ours is physical.
Lynda
Linncn, you sound like me - for months before joint pain hit I felt run down and 'ill'. I even remember the summer before I was diagnosed considering going to the doctors about it. Trouble was I wasn't sure what I was going to tell him, " Hi doctor, I just don't feel right at the moment." wasn't going to cut it really! I too went from being able to survive on about 4-5 hours sleep a night to needing between 10 and 14. As a student that can really put a dampner on your social life!
For me there is general fatigue, which is constant, some days worse than others, and there is what I like to call 'Hit By a Bus Syndrome'. Basically I feel like you described Grammakathy, with the added bonus of extreme nausea. My head goes swimmy, i think I'm going to throw up and canhardly move - except to shut my eyes! It can come on very suddenly, anywhere, and all I can do is wait it out.
*shrugs* The joys of the RA monster, eh?!
For the last week or so I have been soo sleepy I can hardly keep my eyes open. I mean I feel like I am going to fall asleep while walking. I have not been like that for a long time, only back when I was so bad off, I had really bad fatigue.
Before this recent change in my increased fatigue, I would just feel tired all the time and could sleep FOREVER!
I like Scattered's "Hit by a bus Syndrome." That is so what it feels like. There is the fatigue that has been a constant companion for years, but the sudden, extreme fatigue is the worst. Yes, I've been in the store when it's hit me, and have just no alternative but to leave for the car or somewhere to sit and rest, then and there. I have had to notify grocery store clerks of the situation so they could put the food back, because I didn't want to just leave it there. Sometimes they're kind enough to offer help.
One Dr. told me that those times were usually after our bodies had a prolonged and strenuous fight against the RA as it was attacking the system. It just zaps all our strength.
I often get hit in the checkout line at the grocery store. suddenly I'm shaking like a leaf and sweat is pouring off me, and my voice becomes whispy.. I can hardly be heard and ask for assistance getting the groceries out to the car. makes me so glad I parked in the handicapped slot because I couldnt walk another foot. its horrible.
Yep, all the above for me as well. I have the chronic fatigue and the moments of OMG, I have to lay down right now and those usually come with the dizziness and nausea as well. I recently started provigl and that does help with the everyday fatigue, I have seen a marked improvement as far as like not falling asleep at stop lights and I can get through my work day a little easier but I still need 12 hours or so of sleep nightly and naps on weekends!That's happened to me too....I went for a walk with my kids, we got just 2 blocks from home and I started getting freaked out because I was so unbelievably tired, I didn't know how the heck I was ever going to be able to push that stroller back home. Again...we were only 2 blocks from home. I did get home though, collapsed on the couch- just for about 20 mins, then I was ok again.
Also, about 3:00 in the afternoon it really hits me too. Especially when I had nights like last night. Finally got to bed about 11:30....then my 6yr old couldn't sleep, so he got me up twice....then at 4:00am my 1 yr old got up. I tried rocking her for a while, but since I over did it cleaning this weekend, my hands were just awful, so I finally begged my husband to rock with her. Well, she screamed just awful. ( if he'd get up with her more often, I'm sure she wouldn't get so freaked out when he DOES get up with her) So after several minutes of listening to her scream, I told him I'd just have her lay by me. Well...she finally went to sleep around 5:30, but I couldn't fall asleep because I couldn't get comfy enough with her laying with me. ***sigh****oh well...I'm at work now trying to keep it all together. I am often really tired (except when supposed to be asleep). I feel like the draggin lady (my behind dragging on ground behind me). I have had a few episodes that I have suddenly hit a wall, but usually I have ignored my body's request to stop and rest for quite a while before that wall appears.
Kathy,
I think there's something in the Americans with Disabilities Act that might give you recourse in the case of getting fired. Have you got much documentation, or spoken with an employment attorney?
I was telling Cordelia this morning that I've got an underactive thyroid and take thyoxine every morning. However, for the last 5/6 months I've been knackered. I've an appt. with my doc. tomorrow (after visitng this site and reading some of the articles, I'm so well armed with questions a double appt. wont be enough!)
Bone weary tiredness has been hitting me out of the blue along with that low blood sugar feeling dizzy.... again I'd like to say its the summer heat (there's a theme going here) but it isnt, we havent had any this summer! I digress, so I am going to mention it tomorrow but after reading this site I feel that its probably not my thyroid playing up after all but yet another symptom of this blasted disease.
Always end on a cheery note.... my boss recommended hot chocolate made with milk and spiced rum..... just for the hell of it..... fantastic!
How awful of them!!!
Any attorney will be quite pleased with all your documentation. You're wise for collecting all that. My evidence would have been verbal, and co-workers would not have wanted to jeopardize their own jobs by testifying.
Sorry to hear all the stories about the fatigue! I hear you and have MAJOR problems with it. I do know that FMLA is tracked for a certain #of days in a one year period and that an employer can fire you if you go over that amount of days.