Fatigue

Angieheardie

Hi - I do weigh myself as I'm constantly on diets and watching my weight hence the reason I was a bit shocked of having put on such a lot of weight. I knew I wasn't weighed as I dragged my husband along to the previous appointment to get his opinion on my rheumatoid. Sorry I should have said I monitor my weight. :roll:

The operation is a fairly new one. They removed the 3rd bone - one before metatarsal and replaced it - what with exactly I don't know as I didn't want to know - but now that I have got use to it - I shall ask at my next cons podiatrist appointment.

I saw the MRI scan of the foot - interesting to see how out of alignment the joints and bones can become. The bone in question was very clearly eroded at the joint and as I walked I was dislocating my middle toe.

Brilliant what they can do now.

Hope that helps.

Bw

Angela x

dreamdaisy

Oddly enough rheumatologists don't know that much about what osteo surgeons can do (and vice versa). I wonder what you expected the rheumatologist to do about the fatigue? It is part-and-parcel of arthritis, it is caused by the disease, the stresses of dealing with everyday life (plus occasionally the meds) and we are the ones who have to regulate ourselves and our activities so we don't exacerbate matters. It takes time for us to develop our personal strategies, in my case I've learned to stop an activity when I feel I can do more, to break down activities into chunks and to take frequent short rests. DD

stickywicket

It does sound interesting and I'd love to know though I'm not sure whether or not a podiatrist would know. It's too late for me and mine but I guess if a foot bone can be replaced, other bones can too.

Re the weight – I simply meant that if you made a note of your weight at each appt (whether or not they weighed you) you'd have a written record with which to challenge them. I'm just wondering if a number was misread. I know that, if I write down phone numbers quickly, even I struggle later to decipher my 5s from my 8s :roll:

Angieheardie

Hello everyone! Tank you all for your comments. I've been told by my podiatrist that the bone has been replaced with a silicon compound artificial bone replacement!! I'm glad I asked as I thought it best to know.

Whilst sitting in the waiting room at the rheumatologists - picked up a leaflet entitled "fatigue and arthritis"! I felt that it had been there just for me. Brilliant information.

Today I also had physio on my foot and had a general discussion with him as he asked how I got on with my RA and I asked about fatigue - like most of the comments that I've received he - he confirmed lots of people say they feel at times like they are walking in treacle, the hit a brick wall and all the energy is sucked out of them and all you can do is rest and know what your limitations are. WELL AT LAST I feel like its official for me and I can be tired! DD I think you are definitely right - specialists don't know everything. Happy bunny as back to work next week.

Oh the podiatrist said that swelling can take a long time to reduce. Nerve damage can take up to 2 years to heel and that it may take up to a year to get back to 'normal' wi my foot. I can't remember what normal is, but anything is better than what I had to it up with before.

stickywicket

Thanks for the update and info. I'd no idea silicon could be used to replace bones though I did know it's used to replace small joints in the fingers. I hope your foot gets back to normal sooner than two years. I remember, after my first TKR, one side of my scar was numb for at least a year. Didn't hurt though so I didn't care

dreamdaisy

As I don't know everything I presume the same applies to others. I wouldn't expect my dentist to repair my boiler or my mechanic to repair my teeth - each profession has its area of expertise. Thiunking about it a silicone replacement seems obvious so I've learned summat more, thank you. DD

PS Don't be surprised if the fatigue increases when you return to work.

lynne2501

As a newly diagosed RA i am keen to find out as much as i can about the condition.

Have been experiencing severe fatigue...nearly fell asleep while chatting to my friend yesterday afternoon...the conversation wasn't that boring!

Also some days could quite easily nod off at my desk.

Think i need to educate my son (who is 23) a bit more about the condition....the other day he shouted to wake me up to pass him the tv remote so he could turn the tv over as i obviously wasn't watching it due to being asleep!!! Boys eh??

Angieheardie

Dreamsdaisy - I'm not happy with you as you were CORRECT. I returned to work last Tuesday, worked Wednesday and then had severe pins and needles in my foot up to my shin. I then kept foot raised but also had to move about to get my circulation going. During the night BANG went my head - a migraine, with accompanying cough - slept most of Wednesday, head got worse so slept ALL of Thursday - still feel rough today. I don't appear to have much energy at all apart from pottering. I've asked my line manager for occy health referral to help phase my return to work, he hasn't done it yet. Unfortunately he has his own health problems which he likes to tell me about - we don't speak about mine!!!

Thinking of going back to Drs tomorrow to get further advice on fatigue. Really experiencing this 'walking in treacle' analygy.

Speak to u all soon xx

dreamdaisy

You're not happy with me? I guess I'll get over it. This could have happened regardless of your going back to work but it could be a trigger. There is no way to cope with the fatigue apart from pacing oneself, resting and making sure that your diet and nutrition are as good as possible. What kind of work do you do? (If you have already told me then I apologise for forgetting.) Would a reduction of hours or a change of duties be a possibility? DD

stickywicket

Angieheardie wrote:

Thinking of going back to Drs tomorrow to get further advice on fatigue. Really experiencing this 'walking in treacle' analygy.

I would doubt that the doc could tell you anything more about fatigue. It's a fact of arthritic life that we just have to deal with. A healthy diet, weight and exercise all help but we still need to pace ourselves and 'quit while we're ahead' on the energy front, especially during a flare.

Angieheardie

HI DD - sorry I was messing with you as you were right about returning to work too quickly!! My job..... I changed roles in November from admin mgr on 30 hrs to another job being advertised on 18.75 hours, however senior management agreed I could swap into the post on health grounds but then proceeded to tell me that I would have to pick up additional work for someone else within those hours - they're work was estimated at 6 hrs per week. With my working out 18.75+6=24.75 yet I have 18.75 hrs to get the work done - what a deal hey!!! I therefore have sort of two roles - education and one in learning disabilities - PA in the NHS!!!

I was seen by the doctor today. I've been signed off work for a further two weeks and need to go back to her again in two weeks. She's not sure if the fatigue is related to RA due to some effects I am having. More bloods in two weeks too. At least I felt my doctor heard and listened to me more than my rheumatologist. She gave honest and helpful feedback. :P