Fatigue

[trace58]

My Rheumatologist said that my RA is welm under control , but I am having the worst fatigue ever , do you still get this though if bloods are ok, piss fibromyalgia ! I have had terrubke flares of Asthma and loads of steroids ! could this be why ? anyone had this?

[AgedCrone]

Well it’s good news that your rheumy is happy that your RA is under control.

It.’s a fact that RA affects everyone differently, and one answer is to aim to work out what brings on your fatigue …… & avoid it.

Sadly there is no one answer that helps everybody. ….but don’t despair, most of us jog along and find an answer eventually.

[welsh12]

Yes you can have fatigue with RA when your bloods are OK. Asthma is awful my son has it and it can take his toll making him feel exhausted I hope they are looking at your meds to get it under control

[medway-lady]

Not every thing is RA I mean most likely it is but it’s worth asking for a full blood count and thyroid function as other things can cause fatigue.

[wilbertjellyfish]

My bloods often don't reflect the clinical picture. It also sounds as though you have several conditions any of which could cause the fatigue.It's a bit like playing whack a mole.. sort on thing and something else flares up.

[Hollyhock123]

Hi, I am very similar. All my RA is under control with scores and bloods low. But I had fatigue, aches, pains, memory & concentration issues. My consultant diagnosed me with fibromyalgia as secondary to RA last year. Probably trace it back about 5 years and just getting progressively noticeable. Did you mention you have fibromyalgia too? I got a GP referral to an online sleep clinic, which helped massively. Spent the last year trying to recognise symptoms. What’s RA flare, fibromyalgia or Perimenopause. I’ve had to make adjustments again to what I can and can’t do. Still fatigued but a lower level with my change of pace. I’m on no additional meds as my GP won’t give meds for fibromyalgia. I have started Qigong, which the gentle stretches and mindfulness of I find soothing, relaxing and supportive. Hope you manage to find some support .

[Chockyuk]

Mine were the same, bloods fine, fatigue awful. My rheumatologist did more tests, ferritin, vitamin D, thyroid - all were very low. I’m now on levothyroxine and had an iron infusion, am much better now.

Fatigue is just horrible 😔 hope you get some help with it.

[Olive12345]

I think your Asthma could be causing it, especially if your oxygen levels are dropping. Every momement you make will be taking up more energy than usual.

I would go to your GP rather than your rheumatologist about it if your RA is well controlled.

I’ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia by two rheumatologist but I found out I had low ferritin and started taking a strong iron supplement and I'm somehow fixed (or as fixed as you can be). Low nutrients can cause fatigue and other symptoms, for me it was tingling like pins and needles. In this country the Drs wont tell you its low until its really low. The nhs count low ferritin as iron deficient until it is under 15 but NICE European guidelines and American guidelines say under 30 is iron deficient. So always check international guidelines too.

[Runrig01]

I agree with some of the others, that you shouldn’t automatically assume it’s the RA. There are many things can exacerbate fatigue. Have you had your Vit D, and Bs checked, as well as ferritin? Also do you snore, and have you possibly got sleep apnea. As someone else mentioned if your Oxygen says are dropping, especially overnight, that can cause fatigue, as your body tries to provide oxygen to all your organs and tissues. I also think it would be worth seeing your gp, to request testing, as your rheumatologist is confident your RA Is under control. Don’t take it as a given, till other causes have been ruled everything else out 🤗

[ABwn]

Fatigue has increased very much, but I now have osteoporosis and myelopathy. Both these conditions cause tiredness. When I only had RA it wasn't too bad. Medication can sometimes cause it, and I find weather can as well!! 🤔

[sylvi]

My bloods never show how my ra is. xxx

[ScooTash]

Fatigue is just awful so and can empathise with you. Some helpful replies here and I would just wonder if it is gut issues, I.e. SIBO. I now have SIBO to add to my mix and it has contributed to flares including symptoms such as fatigue, lack of concentration, headaches, not to mention inflamed joints. I am addressing this through the Low FODMAPS diet - a very difficult road, but it is working for me. I have had to face the fact, reluctantly, that trauma and stress are underlying issues for me. I do hope you get some relief, soon, and find a way forward.

[Bettina82]

I struggled with horrible fatigue and brainfog accompanied by headaches, burning sensations in my feet and widespread pain for about 8 years even though my RA was under control (according to Rheuma something I „just had to deal with“ .

Moved to Australia from the U.K. last year and found a great new rheumatologist who took my concerns serious. First did bloods and checked Vit D and Iron, both way too low. After levels were in a normal range again, I got a bit better but still very fatigued/foggy. New Rheumy did more investigations and diagnosed me with secondary Fibromyalgia and suggested I‘d see a psychiatrist because she suspected I had ADHD as well (I still have no idea what impression I made that gave her the idea 😵‍💫) and explained that they are somehow connected (needs more research on how exactly but there’s a link)

Was diagnosed with ADHD eventually. Rheumy asked wether I wanted to try meds for the Fibromyalgia first or meds for ADHD. I chose Ritalin first. Not even a grain of fatigue or brainfog anymore. The weird thing is that all other issues are gone now, too. No more pain, no more burning sensations and headaches (and I always thought that was a RA flare up)

[fred42]

I am sorry to be a bit negative but I have RA which is well controlled by a biologic and also a very good Rheumatologist and excellent GP.I have fatigue which no-one is able to fix, I just have to live with it and plan ahead for important events.

[Hisue in reply to fred42]

Me too. My severe RA is finally controlled w/JAK, but not the accompanying CFS/ME. Now adding LDN (at bedtime) to see if that helps lift the fatigue.

[trexhater]

Yes even when my RA was well under control, I still had fatigue days. Ive stopped the trex since 1 Nov and not had a single fatigue day since. Rheumo has now agreed that it was the trex that caused the fatigue. But ofcourse everyone is different. I only have it in my hands and am not on a lot of medication. I guess its best to check everything out and I'm sure you will find out exactly what is causing it. Good luck, fatigue is the pits.

[Happy5]

Yes is the short answer.

Was started on Adalimumab 23rd December 2024 in addition to already on MTX (both injections) So far mostly doing it's job, but the fatigue is massive, just want to sleep constantly. It's one of the main symptoms on the advice sheet for Adalimumab.

I had friends over on Saturday evening to share a meal, then had lunch with family on the Sunday. Had to get up early 05:30 to drop hubby off to local airport, on Monday. Well that's me wiped out for the week,