I was diagnosed with GCA in November 2012. ... - Vasculitis UK
I was diagnosed with GCA in November 2012. One of the symptoms of this condition is acute fatigue. Will fatigue diminish on remission?
Hi
I have MPA and am in remission with Azathioprine. I have found that fatigue is not as acute now although I do get some off days. I think it is a matter of learning to pace yourself (something I have not yet mastered!) I tend to over do it when I feel well and then have to catch up with a rest day. But having said that at the beginning I could only sit around and slept a lot. I now have more good than bad days.
I saw my practice nurse yesterday and she had a nice way of explaining fatigue. She said that when you are 'normal' and fighting infection you feel very tired and that our bodies think they are constantly fighting infection even though they are not, hence the fatigue. In that case it stands to reason that as you gradually get better and the immune system becomes under control you will experience less fatigue.
It made sense to me.
I would just add to try and keep your muscles going as they soon become weak with inactivity.
Best of luck
Lynne
I have had GCA and temporal arteritis for several years now and still frequently suffer from severe fatigue. However, I do have times when I feel less tired and then try to do the things I have been wanting to do. Unfortunately the disease can be lifechanging and sometimes limiting. As I get older (i am 73) the effects of aging also tend to play their part in making you tired and the medication does too. But it is not all bad, the alternative is worse. David
I have wg and the fatigue if any thing is getting worse hence reducing hours worked again but i have also now been told that I probably have fibrosis in lungs causing hypoxeia so that I guess may be adding to things. i guess the answer is we all react differently and to do what you can when you can but listen to your own body, stop when it tells you even though this can be really frustrating. chin up
In the beginning 2007, just getting up & having a shower, left me needing a rest for a couple of hours. I learnt to go with the flow I`ve learnt not to push my boundaries even when I feel good, Life these days is good, I still have fatigue, but by trial & error, I can work my way around most things.
I think for most of us the stage you are at can be the most difficult, but soon you will start looking forward to `tomorrow`.
At Christmas I went over to Mallorca to see my new granddaughter, this would have been an imposable dream 2 years ago.
I hope you can live an imposable dream soon
Tony
Hi, I became ill at the start of December 0-12 , thought I had a migraine and a virus !! anyway the up shot was ,after weeks of big doses of medicine the symptoms died down but did not go away completely , I combat how I feel by pure stubbornness , I live alone with my young son (11) so I have to keep at it, the way I do it is this, everyday I make myself take the dog for a good hour long walk , always clears the cobwebs and makes me feel better but !!! In the afternoon I have to grab a snooze , doesn't make me feel great sleeping in the afternoon but gets me through, fresh air helps me ,along with exercise , I'm in my 60s . Male.
Hope this helps . Best .
Hi Wasdale
Since March 2011 I have had WG with kidney involvement and both of them, I feel, contribute to fatigue. My GP also said that my medication adds to it 
Fatigue has affected my quite badly and on some days I can't do a lot, so I just rest as much as I can when I have one of my bad days. I am now having to reduce my working hours from full time due to dreaded fatigue, amongst other problems.
Listen to your own body and take one day at a time sweetheart.
All the best
J xx
