Fatigue

littlemissmai

So... My aim of today was to get some of my essays finished while i'm off over Easter. Yesterday I just felt so exhausted so I couldn't get any done- I decided to have the day off thinking I would be able to have a go at doing it today instead, however I just feel exactly the same today. I'm so tired and I just cannot concentrate on my work at all. Not to mention my hand and elbow pain making the task even more difficult!

Has anyone got any tips for managing fatigue related to RA? Especially when you have deadlines to meet and cant afford to have days off!

x

barbara12

Hi sorry but I have OA , but like RA I do get so very tired, so I do understand what you mean, I have always put it down to meds, but not so sure, pain in itself can be tiring.
The only thing that helps me is a little nap, I have never been a fan of sleeping in the afternoon, but now I am...and it really does help.
I do wish you well with your Exams, and please let us know how you get on xx

littlemissmai

Hi Barbara,

Thankyou for your reply, I'm not currently taking any medications at the moment, I'm still waiting to see this rheumatologist in a few weeks time- I do hope any meds they give me don't make my fatigue worse- in fact I don't think it could get any worse.

I have tried having short naps before but I just wake up feeling really groggy and makes it even harder to concentrate on my work

xx

DebraKelly

Fagtiue is just something that we all have to live with as part of having RA.

However, I have started taking a Vitimin B tablet at lunchtime and this gives you a boost to help you through the rest of the day.

Hope this helps.

CJHunter

Hiya, the fatigue is sometimes just as bad as the pain at times and just knocks me for 6 too. I know it is a big prob for many of us.
I do things when i can and try to pace myself as much as poss. Is there any way that you could talk to lectures about this.
They do make allowances for people with disabilties, and a long term condition is a disability.

Good luck with your essay and when you see your reummy.
Do keep us posted hun.xxxx

dreamdaisy

(Yawning as I type) Fatigue? I don't know much else. :roll: I am constantly forcing myself to do things and it's not fun. I think it is part and parcel of the disease itself, and as you are not on any meds as yet your immune system is probably having a good old go at you, it likes doing that. You can sleep for England and not feel any benefit - I know, I've tried! I think the best you can do for yourself is half an hour on work, then half an hour off. It's difficult to work with brain fog but you do get used to it, well, you think you do! I wish you well and I concur with CJ, discuss this with your tutors. Maybe leaflets from here would be a good source of information about the condition? Not many without direct experience of arthritis can really grasp what it is like to live with. DD

littlemissmai

Debrakelly- I'm aware that fatigue is something that everyone with RA has to cope with- I'm just interested in finding out how different people cope and manage it, seen as though all of this is very new to me.

Thankyou everyone for your replies I really appreciate your support. I am awaiting a confirmed diagnosis before I inform my university. I am studying for my nursing degree and have to sign a fitness to practice deceleration each year so telling them about this will cause a whole load of meetings and appointments to ensure that I am still 'fit to practice'. Because of this, I am holding off telling uni until I have a confirmed diagnosis to make everything a little easier- and until it is confirmed they wouldn't be able to put anything into place anyway...

I've just borrowed a 'V' shaped pillow from my Mum and i'm finding that really helpful for sitting at the computer.

I will certainly have a go at your idea dreamdaisy by pacing my activities more and resting in between. I'm my own worst enemy sometimes- I force myself to do things like what you were saying, its so hard not to when I have deadlines to meet.

x

stickywicket

As the others have said, the tiredness is all part and parcel of the disease, I’m afraid. Yes, the meds can make you tired too but I don’t think it’s a combined build-up thing. My meth only makes me tired occasionally the day after I take it – or sometimes the day after that instead. The strong paindullers do tend to knock one out which is why I avoid them unless absolutely necessary.

Stress only makes things worse too. I try to alternate between mental stuff and physical stuff. And, if you've been at the computer for some time, try to do a few stretching exercises to compensate - hands, shoulders, neck etc. It’s not giving in to rest up sometimes. It’s just being sensible.

salamander

Hi, I find my meds help a lot with the fatigue. When I'm off them and it creeps back the best thing for me is to manage my expectations of what I can do, and have naps (even though they don't help that much as you say.) So I save my energy for the things I really need/want to do that day.

Do you have anyone to help at home whilst you are finishing your essays?

freesia

I only have OA - in both knees... not RA....

But, I too suffer with extreme fatigue, my worst times are mid to late afternoons, I simply have to have a lie down & sleep.... Usually "out like a light" for a good couple of hours....

Even a weekly shop knocks me out...

Only in my early 40's - is this normal....??
I feel so old.... Guess it comes with the territory now....

xx

littlemissmai

I feel the same freesia, I feel so old too, like a little old lady... I'm only 22. X

freesia

littlemissmai wrote:

I feel the same freesia, I feel so old too, like a little old lady... I'm only 22. X

To:- littlemissmai

Your only 22 OMG....!!!
If I felt old before in my early 40's, and you feel old, then surely that makes me a dinosaur...

Gotta try and smile - otherwise i'd cry...

Hope you have a good day

bubbadog

I suffer with horrible fatigue now and again, I think it's part of the Osteoporosis and part due to my meds. What I try and do is have little 'power naps' through day an hour here and there. I set my alarm clock to get me up and that sometimes helps. I know it sounds silly to ask but what time do you go to bed at night? Are you a night owl? Because it maybe worth going to bed a hour or two earlier and see if that helps with the fatigue. Hope this is of help to you. bubbadog.

skezier

Hi Littlemissma,

I sympathise re the fatigue.... Can set the clock by mine to be honest.

I think its just a management thing and fr me often a bit of armchairing that helps me to cope with it. Being self employed helps as no real employer would put up with how slow and switched off I get 2x a day....

On a really bad day when its cloaked over me I just have to nap but on the days when it is less crushing I plod through it vague and slow.... Mine lasts about 2 to 3 hours at a time and I honestly could set a clock by it.

Hope you can find something that suits you and better still the fatigue backs off for a bit. Hang in there Cris x