Fatigue and excessive sleep

[dcrase]

Does anyone else just feel like all they want to do is sleep when having a flare? I get so fatigued and go to bed early, sleep for 9 or 10 hours, then can easily sleep again for hours off and on throughout the day. Fortunately for me I am not currently working so I can sleep when needed( while my kids are at school and my husband is at work), but I have worked as an elementary teacher during the time that I’ve had Behcet’s and hated having to try to fight the fatigue at work. Just curious because it’s not listed as a specific symptom on many sites I’ve looked at. My rheumatologist said this fatigue is common in autoimmune diseases.

[gillianTS]

I can say I get very fatigued but I really have to fight it and not go to bed outside of my night time bedtime it is what I was advised to do. I never sleep well due to ankles and feet and would absolutely love 8 hours sleep, instead I tend to be walking around in the middle of the night... The rheumatologist I saw first advised me to try and fight the daytime fatigue because sleeping during the day can affect your every day lifes body clock. I did a little reading and apparently it is very important for people who have autoimmune conditions to try and have sleep hygiene as well as eating and exercise.

This is an article I read about MS and sleep, and a Behcet's article about the same:

multiplesclerosis.net/livin...

behcets.org.uk/research/ins...

Hope you start to feel less fatigued soon. Gillian

[lesleyg in reply to gillianTS]

Years ago I started getting migraines after a whiplash accident- which looking back I believe triggered my BD. I ended up going to see a specialist who at that time was nicknamed “the King” because of his knowledge on headaches etc. One thing he told me - “Get into a routine where you go to bed and get up at the same time, even on the weekends”. (I barely get migraines now). The doctor I have now and I are both in agreement - if I can get a good night’s sleep I can cope with the next day. He prescribes a very mild sleeping tablet - diazepam - which definitely helps. By the way, if I am very unwell my body takes over and I sleep extra hours whether I want to or not - sleeping through the loudest of alarms! We are all very different- I couldn’t stay up even if I wanted to. Sorry for rambling on - It is a very interesting subject (also I’ve been in hospital for two weeks and starting to get bored) 😐 Lesley

[rooser1]

YES! AND YOU SHOULD SLEEP.

when i flare, i go to work, come home and go right to sleep. sometimes I sleep for 12 hours straight. sometimes i get woken up for dinner- but i usually dont have an appetite. But if i do eat, it is high protein, low carb, anti inflammatory items. think salmon.

stay up on water, drink as much as you can, especially if youre not eating.

youll get out the viscous cycle before you know it. but in the mean time- listen to your body!

[lesleyg in reply to rooser1]

I have the same symptoms- must go to bed to “sleep it off” and no appetite ( which is odd for me). L

[Stm252]

Same as everyone else. EXTREME fatigue. More than what I have on the daily (which is fatigue every day unfortunately). And I also have ZERO appetite when I am in a flare. ;( the interesting thing is when I am flaring I actually can't sleep..so it makes things even worse. My rhythms are off. So I am up all through the night.

[SCMW]

Hi, yes, have seen the fatigue of Behcets described as ‘overwhelming’ and rheumatologist remarked its the hardest symptom to treat. Pacing is important. Best wishes

[Lorrie]

Hiya. I can honestly say I have never felt tiredness like it since I became ill with Behcęts 7 years ago. Like you I go to bed at 8 & can sleep all night then fall asleep again straight after my shower. I fall asleep eating my tea, when people visit me. It's so embarrassing at times. That & the memory loss are the hardest things I've had to try & come to terms with. Like you I worked in a school & had 2 other jobs. Some weeks I would work 51 hours & have nights with no sleep as my youngest son is autistic. Now I can't go 4 hours without a sleep. If you feel tired don't fight it. It's good that you can rest while your family is out but pace yourself when they are all home & limit what you do. I know that's easier said than done but hopefully it will help. All the best. XX