Fatigue

[Concentric]

What can i do to ease the fatigue lupus causes

[PMRpro]

This is a link to a post I wrote some years ago on another forum but it also appears somewhere on the Lupus forum. It was brought to my attention this morning that one of the links on the original no longer worked so I have put in the link for the new version of the Action on ME leaflet about pacing. It doesn't matter what the autoimmune disorder label is - a/i fatigue is the same.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk......

[Hamptons]

I see someone has posted ME link, otherwise various websites in chronic fatigue. Apparently there are Nhs fatigue clinics.I find pacing the best, do something then pause. Try to drive rather than walk, get things delivered rather than carry, have a cleaner who reduces heavy housework. Being kind to myself, if I feel like it isn’t going to happen don’t force it.

I try to batch cook and keep ready meals in freezer for emergencies. Try to sit to do little jobs.

[Maddymay65 in reply to Hamptons]

Thank you this is such brilliant advice I wish someone had told me a long time ago, I do these now but it has taken 19 years of mistakes Take careM x

[Sara_A]

I too am suffering from severe fatigue atm and have been for about 8 wks now to this such extent. I have 2 young children and have been seriously struggling to manage looking after them, just getting them a drink is sooo difficult and making them t is like a major task!!I'm unable to do anything at all around the house I can't even walk to the end of the rd I'm totally drained all of the time.

Some days I cant even wash up and some days it takes me all day to wash up. I put a washing load on in the morning if I feel up to it but it doesn't get taken out and hung up until later cos I just don't have the energy to do it.

I'm drained all of the time and lay on the sofa or have to go to bed and the kids or my partner have to help me undress.

My partner has to do everything and sort the kids out cook his own t when he gets home from work. Luckily hes very good and understand hes medical too as am I. I'm currently signed off sick for 4 wks and cannot see any end to feeling like this. I'm just not able to function at all.

I'm on 2 immunosuppressants and 25mgs daily steroids so nothing more can b done medically.

I have mindfulness music and programmes to listen to etc and relaxation.

Its soo frustrating which then kicks off my anxiety, palpitations and then depression.

Its just never ending but this is the worst flare of fatigue I've ever had x

[Paprika60 in reply to Sara_A]

So sorry to read your post and my heart goes out to you. It is really hard for both you and your husband. I am in a similar situation but without children so yours is far harder. Hope you are eating as much energy boosting food as possible. I snack with nuts, pea protein powder (I make warm drinks with it) and eggs. Food is fuel so even when you have little appetite, do please try. Good sleep is as important but being on high dosage steroids may keep you awake. I suffer from lack of sleep too. All best wishes to you.

[Sara_A in reply to Paprika60]

Thankyou so much for ur reply, just walking the kids back from school this aft has exhausted me even tho I had 3 hrs sleep b4 and a lift to school from my friend! It's only about a 5-10 min walk on the flat but after about 2 minutes I'm about ready to lay down on the pavement! I'm currently signed off of work for 4 wks this is 2nd week off and I just don't think I can see an end to this. I've been working from home since last Aug and shielding since last March and am still working from home 2 days a wk but I'm not even able to do that at the moment and currently can't see when I'm going to be able to. Just getting up off the chair to make a drink for the kids is a mission in itself!

As for cleaning the house etc that's just not possible, the kids have clean clothes for school and are fed and cared for and are loved and happy beyond belief but everything else is just impossible at the moment.

I've asked the gp about ill health retirement but they just say I think you are a bit young to be thinking about that at 42 but seriously what can I do I can't function in my daily life and this isn't the first time I've thought about having to stop working, 2 yrs ago I was in a similar situation struggling.

[lupie46]

Spoon Theory.....makes sense to do little things and rest, more little things and rest. Sometimes 14 hours sleep won't be enough. Find your own rhythm .