fatigue

[cba84]

anyone have any tips on how to battle the fatigue associated with psoriatic arthritis? Work 40 hours. But struggle to get up in the morning and just want to go to bed as soon as I get home.

[SheffieldJane]

well I for one think you are amazing to be holding down a job at all. You need to talk to personnel or the equivalent in your place of work. Your condition may well be covered by the Equalities Act that incorporates the Disability Discrimination Act. The Act places a duty of care on your Employer to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to carry on working. This may include adjustment to hours - start times - rest breaks - a rearrangement of duties, a new job design. Part time hours. One teacher on this forum’s headmaster had a sofa in his office where she could nap. Equipment - imaginative solutions that you can come up with yourself. You need at least one decent nap a day. Anyone who comes up with a cure for autoimmune disease fatigue would become very rich. My after lunch nap gives me a bit of an evening. Is there no chance of early retirement on health grounds? I even gave up my voluntary work which I loved. Citizens Advice will be able to help about your rights and any benefits you could claim. You need to manage your life by pacing activities and resting. Also ensure that nothing else is going on with your health. Autoimmune diseases like company. Good luck!

What drugs are you on. They may be adding to this.

[MarmiteLover1]

I echo everything Sheffield Jane says. Take action now to get as much support as possible. I couldn't do what you do. You need to enjoy life, not just earn a living.

[Runrig01]

Unfortunately, fatigue is the one symptom most rheumatologists say is difficult to manage. I would start by getting bloods to check there is no other cause like Vitamins B & D being checked, and thyroid levels. I use a vitamin B sublingual solution, which lessens my fatigue. I discovered that if you use PPIs they can reduce absorption of Vit Bs. After switching to sublingual my levels improved and now sit at the top of the range.

SheffieldJane gives good advice re the equality act, if you have access to occupational health, then they are excellent at putting forward recommendations to make things easier. Mine ensured I only worked a maximum of 2 long days together, tried longer and more frequent breaks, and I even tried working shorter shifts. Unfortunately I had a severe stroke, so ended up taking ill health retirement. Pacing is essential , and there is a good leaflet on fatigue by the National rheumatoid arthritis society, unfortunately I can’t seem to open my link, hopefully you’ll have more luck: nras.org.uk/product/fatigue...

You are doing a tremendous job, still working full time, but it may be that reducing your hours would help manage this, even if just temporarily till you get on top of this. 🤗

[deniseinmilden]

Please get your vitamin and mineral levels tested. If you are on Methatrexate they should be checking you - and you should be taking at least 5mg folic acid on your non Methatrexate days.

Ideally you should be tested for the whole vitamin and mineral panel but I suggest you particularly ask for

Vitamin B12 and folate (B9)

Vitamin D

Iron

You might find taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement (except on Methatrexate days if you are on it) will be helpful. The less expensive supermarket A-Z ones are as good as, if not better than, the more expensive branded ones.

I know just how you feel and tend to just work and sleep too but it is important that you get as much nutritional help for your body as you can.

[readandcraft]

I agree with everything said here. Also consider your diet. Avoid sugar and refined foods. Try to eat lots of veg and fruit.

[Batty1]

Im also suffering with awful PSA fatigue its so hard for normal people to understand this life sucking fatigue…. I feel like a turtle running through peanut butter most days . I have no answers except maybe getting your vitamins checked to make sure you’re not anemic or vitamin B deficient.

[Happyrosie]

this might not help but anyway. My daughter had psoriatic arthritis, but the arthritis wasn’t too bad at all. However as she was widowed she got depressed which led to malnutrition and severe weight loss. (Less than 5 stone, five feet high). Unable to work.

Psoriasis was all over her body in red with skin falling off. Dermatologist tried most things but the final solution was Stelara. Dermo had to apply for funding for this so it must be pricey, and a nurse comes to give her an injection once every three months. Psoriasis completely disappeared. As did the arthritis. Now all she has to do is put more weight on, give up alcohol (Stelara has an effect on the liver) and maybe she’ll be well enough in a few months to consider part time work and driving.

You are doing so well to continue working. One of the arthritis charities might be able to give you some advice? Versus Artheitis, Arthritis Action?