Fatigue

[jane1976]

To all. I struggle a great deal with fatigue while on no meds, while having a flare up or on meds? Is the fatigue part of having RA, is it the meds or a bit of both?

[mary4444]

dont think the cold weather helps makes u laugh they say keep on the move but its hard when u feel exhausted xx

[JacquiThomas999]

It is part of the RA. NRAS has a booklet on the subject.

This and being afraid to move in case my shoulder goes are what is affecting me at the moment.

Had a better night last night on codeine and Mirtazapine.

It is strange to be so tired, but unable to sleep.

I hope you soon feel better.

Jacqui

[Hidden]

I think it's both.

[nomoreheels]

It's part & parcel of the disease I'm afraid & it can be a very real problem. It can happen even if you've not over exerted yourself, if the disease isn't well enough controlled or more obviously when in flare. This is the leaflet JacquiThomas999 mentioned nras.org.uk/publications/fa.... I think you'll also find this interesting reading nras.org.uk/invisible-disea..., you'll see you're not alone having to manage fatigue.

[mary4444 in reply to nomoreheels]

morning hope u having good day nomoreheels cant open either of them links there is no page xx

[nomoreheels in reply to mary4444]

I don't understand why it's disappeared, unless they were working on the site over the weekend, but try them again nras.org.uk/publications/fa... nras.org.uk/publications/in...

[mary4444 in reply to nomoreheels]

will have a go this evening ty xx

[mary4444 in reply to nomoreheels]

nomoreheels the links are on there now i have bookmarked the 2 thank u xx

[nomoreheels in reply to mary4444]

Oh good. x

[mary4444 in reply to nomoreheels]

wondered please if i could ask a question i have synovitis in left hand what bought it to mind was i see someone had wrote they got no synovitus i thought that was just ra ty xx

[nomoreheels in reply to mary4444]

Synovitis is the medical term for inflammation of the synovial membrane, the lining of the joint becomes inflamed so on the outside it shows as inflammation, like your hand. Someone without synovitis is usually either well controlled or that particular joint isn't (yet) affected.

[mary4444 in reply to nomoreheels]

thank you at the moment that is all that is swollen so i am very lucky does that mean it will never mend xx

[nomoreheels in reply to mary4444]

In some in the early days it can come & go but the longer the joint is inflamed (persistent inflammation) & dependent on how often you have flares the greater the likelihood of damage to that joint. x

[mary4444 in reply to nomoreheels]

yes its already damaged did have mri on hand thats when i was told if i had op not succesful it was left to long i did have hot wax treatment years ago consultant stopped it said it was making it worse there is a gap in the wrist anyway i manage after reading some of the posts i am lucky at least walking about hope u got doggie out i went between showers lol xx

[nomoreheels in reply to mary4444]

I'm sorry it's damaged, that's not too good for you. Only a very small shower today then it was quite nice though I don't walk the dogs, my h does that, he takes one in the morning & the other in the afternoon. It's one of the things I miss, not too good on my pins & the smaller one had me off my feet in France on the journey home so that was it for me, until I'm better with balance anyhow. x

[AgedCrone]

Oh yes one more little jewel RA bestows on its victims.,

At first I just thought I was being lazy not getting things done, then it dawned on me that I was just so tired I had to rest.

Now I just go,with the flow & sleep when I need to.

[ruth_p]

Unfortunately it is part of the disease. No matter how controlled my other symptoms are I'm still knackered all the time.

[munchkin]

I too think it is both the disease and the meds. I find it hard to concentrate on anything feeling tired all the time, at the sometime telling myself not to be so lazy, because I am comparing myself to others who don't have the disease.

[Scottishlad in reply to munchkin]

In my case the fatigue rears its ugly head when the disease is active, say during a flare or when the medication has become less effective. Managing fatigue is difficult for those who are used being fit and very active, especially those such as runners or gym enthusiasts who get so much out of their physical exertions. These people find it difficult to cope with the limits that their body places on their activities. Rest is an important part of recovery, you cannot exercise your way out of the fatigue, this can make it worse by ending up in even deeper fatigue.

[Simba1992]

When I was diagnosed with RA I had terrible fatigue and brain fog. Did my research and found out that fatigue is usually a part of most AI diseases. I also found out that the fatigue is mainly caused by an inflammatory reaction in your CNS and by oxidative stress and dysfunctional mitochondria that give our bodies energy. Then I found Dr Terry Wahls and her protocol for giving the cells the best possible surroundings to work in. Dr. Wahls put her MS in remission with this diet. I also stumbbled accross LDN that works by giving you an extra boost of endorphin which is much needed in AI where endorphin levels are usually very low. LDN has also shown to calm the autoimmune reaction and the CNS reaction, thus helping with fatigue.

Having learned this started AIP diet ( very similar to Terry Wahls protocol) and LDN. After 3 months my fatigue and brain fog were gone and inflammation decreased 80%. I am a ferm believer of the bennefit of suppoting normal immune function in all diseases. Very often this support has shown to protect against side effects of neccessary meds and even made them work better.

[Stephenlangtonriley]

Oh Ditto, I get so tired, I fall asleep in at any time and then can't get to sleep later. I end up going to bed late, waking up late and then the day has gone and I have done alomost nothing, but that almost nothing has been such hard work to do. It doesn't help that most of my medication causes "drowsiness" and it all adds up to make me sleepy. Just something we have to put up with and carry on regardless, yes that made me laugh as well.