So tiered

[manwithnoname]

I am feeling so tiered lately I have been going to bed by 9pm and not getting up 10-11 am. then I fall asleep in the afternoon. Can anyone give any help please.

[lornaisobel]

I think its the winter. I try to go for a walk in the fresh air in the afternoon to wake myself up and it does work to some extent - I go to bed at about 8pm and unless Im working don't wake up until after 9 / 10 pm but making myself di sime exercise does seem to give me more energy xx

[Keana in reply to lornaisobel]

I have had RhA for nearly 40 years and the only thing I found that really did help is something I recommend to all RhA sufferers, cod liver oil. When I first used it I was very pleased with the results, although my consultant was not as suitably impressed but indulged me. The Tv and magazines are now filled with adverts about joint relief from that self-same 'medicine'. Even when I have had to cease taking a particular tablet for one reason or another I always take the capsules, although I did at first take a desert spoonful to 'kicks start' the effect.

[Tash193]

Do you know if your B12 levels/iron levels are ok? My b12 is low and I fall asleep a lot day and night - I got the injection yesterday.

[Matalow]

Hi nameless, it's a sod isn't it one of the symptoms I've been told.

Last night bed 7-30 up at 7 this morning .Sleep for the first 4/5 hrs then restless with pain/ spasms.

If you find a remedy (not whackey ) please post it.

Regards Mike ( Yawning)

[Elleanor]

I've been just like that lately too. Bed at eight each night and straight to sleep but so tired next day too! I think the dull weather isn't helping plus I'm feeling a bit low lately. I know my bloods are OK recently but perhaps have your iron checked just incase x

[JoJo110]

Me too I sleep all night wake in the morning take pills then sleep to lunch. Walk the dog have another sleep make dinner go to bed, It has got so bad I went to the doctor and I have low vit D and low haemoglobin I have been given vit D and iron which I started two days ago. So I would give your GP a call

[farm123]

How are your other joints etc as my first thoughts would be that you are not under enough control or the meds are contributing to being tired. Perhaps a call to your rheumy helpline. Farm

[magglen]

I would like to hibernate in the winter. This one has been so dark with very few sunny days it has been a struggle to get out of bed. However, I am able to walk a couple of miles a day which lifts my spirits and gives me some energy back. When I can't go out because of the weather I feel very sluggish. It can become a vicious circle.

However, when I was first diagnosed with RAD I was very tired and spend most of my time in bed so I do think you should go to your GP for a check up. It may mean you need better or more medication. You did not mention any other physical problems or symptoms.

[Hidden]

Hi manwithnoname I yawn all day at work & they all comment on it.. I was taking iron tablets from the doc's everyday but they made me very constipated.. 😳 So now I take one a day's from Tesco & they go some way to keeping me awake.. At least my boss isn't complaining as much now anyway! I'd definitely get your levels looked at

Good luck x

[DelicateInput]

That is very bad for rheumatoid arthritis. Lying in bed will only make your joints seize up. You should go swimming and walking and do some exercise classes, which will oxygenate the body.

Even people on death's door with serious heart conditions don't sleep like that.

[Sunflower62 in reply to DelicateInput]

They do! My Dad was the most active man I knew until the last three months did everything he could to get up out of bed but slept all the time... Sometimes the body just can't cope

[DelicateInput in reply to Sunflower62]

I think if you have RA, it is a case of having to force yourself. If you lie in bed, it is a certainty that the RA will get worse. You just have to fight it. If you move around and do exercise, you will feel better.

There could be other things like medication causing tiredness but the level of sleep here is extreme and I would suggest it is poor quality sleep. If you exercise, it will make you sleep better for shorter periods.

[nomoreheels in reply to DelicateInput]

I can only speak from our experience but my h's sleeping was due to his heart. It's the body's natural defense mechanism to slow everything down & can be dangerous. I'm not saying my h was at death's door but before he had urgent CABG & again before a second operation to reconstruct his sternum I couldn't keep him awake & it's concerning for those caring for those in this state. It continued into his recovery periods though that's considered to be due to having had two invasive ops within 6 months & the blood loss & changing meds causing anaemia, critically high potassium & low magnesium & calcium levels due to blood loss. He's now having further testing under Gastro to rule out bleeding elsewhere.

I'm not saying this is the case here with Alan, rather in response to your advice about serious heart conditions but certainly he would be advised to see his GP who will hopefully have his blood checked.

[oldtimer]

If you are having that level of fatigue you should seek medical advice. You could have all sorts of other problems to make your RD fatigue more severe, so check them out. Anaemia, depression, low thyroid, etc etc...

Exercise is so important in RD that we need to take the fatigue seriously, and I do know how difficult it is to motivate myself to exercise when the days are short and grey.

[Chalmers]

Hello,

I very nearly put a post on saying the same as you yesterday. I am sleeping more than I am awake. I heard someone knocking on my door yesterday and hobbled down as quickly as I could. I was astonished when I looked at the clock and it was 11.45, I had slept for over 12 hours. It is very worrying to be that tired. I went to the Doctors in the afternoon and he has ordered blood tests

I am off all medication at the moment (hospitals instructions) due to bad reactions to a couple of them, even been told to take the ibuprofen 'infrequently'

It is probably the RA but I did wonder if I could have a thyroid problem, so tired and so freezing cold.

Trying to do some exercise today as it is true I was in so much pain yesterday, my knees had nearly locked up. I don't feel inclined to do any, but a little may help.

Bye from one snoozer to another.

[nomoreheels]

It could be caused by any number of things Alan, vitamin deficiency, anaemia, hypothyroidism or the disease itself. I think if it's been going on over a fortnight a visit to your GP is needed & ask him to order a blood test if he doesn't suggest it or have a clear idea if why you're sleeping so much. Winter & the weather doesn't help but clearly you asking here means you know you're sleeping more than you ought to be.

Do keep in touch & let us know how you're doing.

[Patsy-57]

I went to the docs as no -one was listening and to me. He checked my vitamin d levels they were really low. I am not saying this could be your problem too but it was part of mine.

Patsy 57

[Sunflower62]

I think it's weather related I feel exactly the same just zero energy I guess all we can do is ride it out until spring... Or going to hibernation

[tallgal]

I've been very tired lately too. Some nights though I've had no sleep because of pain. Staying in bed too long didn't do me or my joints any good. My body clock didn't know where it was. Then I remembered I had a light box from many years ago. It had been put away and forgotten. I'm surprised no one else has mentioned this. I live in Scotland and we do get long dark nights without the bad weather. I've started to use it again at a regular time and it has helped my mood and my ability to get to sleep. Long ago I did research it to find out which level of light you need but can't remember that now. besides there are probably much more efficient ones now, Hope someone else can give more advise on this topic as I am out of date.

[manwithnoname]

First of all sorry for not replying sooner. My Dr has been doing blood tests and they have found out that my ion level is very low and I am now anaemic and I am now waiting for a hospital appointment to have the dreaded camera from both ends to see if I have any bleeding. (not looking forward to this) I will repost when I get some news and a BIG thanks to you all.

[nomoreheels in reply to manwithnoname]

I'm pleased your GP ordered blood tests Alan & now knows the cause if not the origin. Did he start you on anything whilst waiting for the investigations? Now the fun begins!

[manwithnoname in reply to nomoreheels]

Hi nomoreheels. The short answer is NO he hasn't as I am on a lot of meds already.

[nomoreheels in reply to manwithnoname]

Oh, ok. Was that the reason he gave?

[manwithnoname in reply to nomoreheels]

Yes it was my meds are closely monitored.

[Green230461]

My go said it was low vit D for me making me feel extra tired. Sent for blood test and he was right. Now on vit tablets and feel much better. Apparently low vit D can be a result of the disease so speak about it with your doc. Good luck.

[KittyJ in reply to Green230461]

Green, not sure if you’ve realised but this post is 5 years old 😊

[Green230461]

Thank you! Saw the word tiered and off I went...... maybe a future for me in politics?🤔