Time for a nap?

rachelj
rachelj Member Posts: 121
edited 4. Aug 2010, 16:06 in Living with Arthritis archive
Oh I love having you guys to fire off random questions to, I am sat here at my desk, looking at the clock thinking there are still another 2 hours to go. Is it normal with rheumatoid arth. to need a mid afternon nap? I haven't had a hectic day, but struggling to stay awake. Luckily I am working from home so only a few feet to my bed.

I am wondering if I should go back to my GP as its a new symptom, I know its not the drugs for once as I am trying to have a codine free day as the side effects were really starting to get to me.

A somewhat drowsy

Rach

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,772
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh yes Rach

    Totally normal and as yet I have no cure for that symptom although somehave said that some DMARds are better at helping with the exhaustion than others.

    Don't kjnow about you, but I do NOT do afternoon naps happily :wink:

    Hope you survive the day and yes worth a mention to doc next time you are in I reckon :)

    Love

    Toni xx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It's a classic symptom. I have to fight to stay awake between 3.00 and 3.45pm most days, even without a flare. Arthritis, active or inactive, is tiring. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi rach,

    Yup...classic arther symptom although for me it's usually tea time I have to fight to keep my eyes from drooping and my head from falling into the soup! :lol: :roll:

    I think it's the body's way of trying to regain strength after fighting arther all day.
    Best mention it to the doc anyway..never make assumptions eh?

    My physio told me not to nap at tea time....but sometimes it's just too hard. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    Iris x :mrgreen:
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rachel,

    YES feeling tired is all part of it - the meds, the fact that you have to work harder physically to do what non-arther peeps take for granted, the fact that if you inflammatory arthritis your body is battling the disease all the time and a lot of people with arthritis also don't sleep that well.

    Research on naps suggest after lunch is the best time to take a short nap (if you have a long one, then it can make you feel worse and it can be hard to wake up again.) You shouldn't take one after 5 p.m. evidently, or it will affect your night's sleep.

    Iris,
    My physio told me not to nap at tea time....but sometimes it's just too hard. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
    Meanie!! Did he/she say why? Is it because of the hour?

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • janie68
    janie68 Member Posts: 1,186
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Rachel

    Yes it is normal to want to nap in the afternoon, I can't cope otherwise. It helps me to cope with the pain and my joints for the rest of the day.

    Besides I think we deserve it anyway with what we have to put up with.

    Janie
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,395
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    When I'm having a bad day I just drop to sleep after lunch sitting upright on a dining room chair. I sleep for 20 minutes and wake up feelings lots better. More than 20 minutes can affect your night sleep too.

    Luv Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    oh my , I am glad I am not the only one who needs a nap in the afternoon. I often miss the middle and the end of murder she wrote. lol . Don't think I have seen a whole episode. I have tried washing my face and drink umpteen cups of coffee, but it doesn't work.
    Julie x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Julie, I often have to tell my mum what's happened - would you like me to fill you in as well? Welcome to the forums - I think you are going to be fun! Dreamdaisy
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • janie68
    janie68 Member Posts: 1,186
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Julie

    I hope you manage to stay awake for doctors at least! I do then go for a nap, excellent!! :roll:

    Janie
  • carola
    carola Member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rach

    Yep, sleepiness is one of the symptoms apparently.

    I tend to fall asleep about 3pm-ish.

    Thank feck for Sky+ ..... I usually press record for Murder, She Wrote and It's Me of the Dog (haha!) my planner is full of episodes I've yet to watch the end of.

    Beds rock! :lol:
    Carol
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Isn't it odd how this wretched disease turns our brains to mush in the early afternoons? MSW is hardly entertaining TV but it's all I can manage after lunch. I will be recording the new BBC series on The Normans because a) it will be interesting and I will learn stuff, b) Dan Snow is presenting one episode and I will be too busy sliding off the sofa to concentrate on what he's saying :D and c) I will probably be asleep anyway. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • tarasmygirl
    tarasmygirl Member Posts: 70
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I thought it was just me, falling asleep - glad to know I'm in such good company. I find I can just about get home and have dinner then I drop off on the couch, whether I want to or not, between 6-7 no problems going to bed at 10 and sleeping through.
    Off work today & tomorrow as I am choked up with the cold and doctor put me on antibiotics as I'm on metho. missed most of the afternoon tv and almost ready to fall asleep again.
    Cath
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My doc takes me off meth when I have an infection - I'm surprised you are on both at the same time, as I think they counter-act each other. Anyhoo, MSW was rubbish today, so for those that slept thro it, you missed nothing! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • rachelj
    rachelj Member Posts: 121
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have a meeting tomorrow with HR to discuss the OT's report they did on me last week, be interesting to say if they suggest the need for me to have somewhere to sleep in the office!
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,772
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh Rach

    that would be lovely...... a035.gif

    Love

    Toni xx
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,772
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Always goes cold that dribble doesn't it Lynn?? :lol:

    Lovely :wink:
  • rachelj
    rachelj Member Posts: 121
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    frogmorton wrote:
    Oh Rach

    that would be lovely...... a035.gif

    Love

    Toni xx

    A friend used to work there and he has a horrible degenerative nerve disease, and in a similar was to RA it made him tired, so in the sick room they had a bed, and he had his own pillow and duvet. He often used to have to go and have a kip after lunch. Times have changed since them, we have moved offices and the compassion has gone so no more sick room for me to use.

    Still I guess I could always go crash out in my car... Classy!
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rachel, ask HR if they will fund you a camper-van and then you can have a comfy kip in the carpark at lunchtime!!

    Seriously though, hope OT comes up with some good and helpful suggestions. Make sure you ask for a copy of their report.

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.