Fatigue

[walking-walmans]

I think I have most of my RA under control, however the constant battle with fatigue is difficult. Does anyone have any advice on how to raise my energy level. I take vitamins, do yoga, I even take a prescription to help sleep at night, but still I struggle.

Marjorie

[thoffou89]

I have actually started taking a medication called Provigil. Stopped taking something to sleep (didn't seem to be a problem as I was sleeping anywhere).

Have only been taking about 6 weeks but really helps me make it through the day.

I still work full time as well as go to school.

I hate to keep taking medications but it really helps.

Best of luck.

[jojobella in reply to thoffou89]

what kind of doctor gave you provigil? I had taken that long ago and it really helped. I have moved to another state years later. The fatigue is really interfering with my life, job etc....I had to drop out of school due to it and it is starting to interfere with my daily work/life. I am desperate....

[andyswarbs]

The benefit of sleeping tablets is controversial imo with only 10 mins of sleep being the benefit of the tablet. You start off by getting to sleep okay but later on... Essentially for a good nights rest I regularly go to bed around 10 and then REM sleep takes me solidly through to 1am-ish. I then relax through the rest of the night not worried if there is sleep or not. I then get up around 8am, again reliably.

I have seen advocacy for 6.hr sleep as being optimal. But whatever you do be regular and reliable. Anything else and you are asking for tiredness.

A common side-effect of MTX is fatigue. So you need to battle that as well as any arthritic symptoms. Vit D3 is my only supplement and I take it if I don't get enough good sunshine.

Eat some berries daily. They are full of anti-oxidants, especially dark skinned are great for arthritis. I am munching through some blueberries as I type. Avoid fruit juice as it gives a sugar rush which is no help to arthritis, instead eat whole fruit. The pulp in whole fruit helps slow down the sugar hit to acceptable levels for your gut.

[Kovalsm]

The Rx might be what is making you feel fatigued. Sometimes the meds stay in your system.

How did you manage to get the RA under control?

[walking-walmans in reply to Kovalsm]

My yoga and meditation helps alot. I am on enbrel, methotrexate. I do have flare ups that over take me sometimes. We live up on a mountain away from people, so our walks are relaxing and peaceful.

[Robinr805]

Currently the fatigue is the biggest culprit for me as well. I have the pain under control and take supplements as well. Generally I feel better over all and walk and do yoga most days however I still have Some days the fatigue is so bad I struggle to get out of bed. If there are any "tricks"'out there that help with the fatigue I'd love to hear some as well!

[Magpie789 in reply to Robinr805]

After dry eye, which I could live with, fatigue was my first RA symptom. It just keep getting worse until I was falling asleep on the drive home. My rheumatologist says it is from the cytokines in the brain and she has patients in remission who are still fatigued. They really don't know as much about the fatigue. Every person is different as well. I'm on Adderal 20mg ER which helps during the day and getting up in the morning. I haven't noticed a change in my sleep. It's not a fix but a help.

[kevg]

I'm on a script of folic acid twice a day. Make sure you don't have celiac or a hypothyroid. Those make you tired as well.