osteoarthritis - fatigue

doxothenorth

Hi,

I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis affecting my hands and feet a few years ago and have been getting on OK, all be it with the help of painkillers, walking stick and compression gloves. Over the last couple of weeks though I've experienced a flare up of pain that has been affecting my joints, sleep and ability to type for more than 15 minutes at a time before resting. I think this flare up is because of the intensely cold weather we've had recently.

Between joint pain and disturbed sleep I'm completely exhausted, I know that fatigue is associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Is it also possible to experience fatigue with osteoarthritis?

I'm 55 and feel a bit of a fraud complaining about this as compared with what some of you have to put up with but this has floored me.

claudsl

Hello @doxothenorth and welcome to our online community!

I think the weather definitely impacts our aches and pains, I find I am a lot sorer in the winter months for sure.

Fatigue is a common symptom for most auto-immune diseases, so it could definitely be associated with osteoarthritis. I have Psoriatic Arthritis and fatigue affects me a lot. Here's a link that may have some helpful info for you;

Managing fatigue | Causes, self-help, support

Hope this helps! Claudia x

doxothenorth

Thanks for your reply Claudia,

I'll definitely look through that information.

I think even getting a decent nights sleep would make a huge difference at the moment.

On the plus side, I received two fresh pairs of compression gloves this morning and after a couple of hours of wearing a fresh pair, they seem to be making a difference when typing. I'll take the win.

Note to self, always make sure you have an unopened pair of compression gloves in stock.

Derek

claudsl

Hello @doxothenorth

Do you think you aren't getting a good nights sleep because of pain and discomfort? Or you just can't get into a good sleep?

I'm glad the gloves are helping! :)

Claudia

doxothenorth

It's a case of staying asleep; normally I can get a solid 7 - 8 hours sleep; at the moment it's more like 2 - 3, then tossing and turning with the discomfort, the last dose of co-codamol and ibuprofen of the day has worn off by then.

There's also some close family member health issues going, nothing I can do anything about that but it doesn't stop me worrying about them.

So I reckon there's a bit of a chicken and egg thing going on, sleeping lighter because of worry; and the pain/discomfort from the arthritis flare up keeping me awake, but also tiring me, feeding back into the arthritis flare up.

Now that last weeks intense cold weather has subsided, I'm hoping that the flare up will calm down and I can get more restful sleep.

Derek

claudsl

@doxothenorth i'm sorry to hear that, it sounds like you have a lot going on. One thing I can suggest is maybe taking your painkillers as close to bedtime as possible? That way you might get some extra hours of sleep without the pain and discomfort. You could also speak to your GP and see if there is anything they might be able to suggest. But yes, hopefully in the coming months with better weather you might see an improvement :)

Take care and remember we are here anytime you need us

Claudia

Trish9556

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/63848/osteoarthritis-fatigue

@doxothenorth

Hi, I feel for you. I have suffered with my hands for many years while working as a PA working 10 hours a day 3 days a week with many disturbed nights.

1. Keep your hands warm - I use fingerless glove, little packets of magic called 'hot hands' (other types are available but these are the best in my opinion) which are air activated and keep your hands warm for 12 hours. They fit perfectly inside fingerless gloves and pockets
2. I've just discovered the joys of hot wax therapy for hands after being referred back to hand therapy. It cost about £55 of an online selling site that is also a river lol. If you're seeing a physio about your hands ask if you can try it.
3. Don't bother wasting money on creams for your hands apart from hand cream! All you end up doing is washing it down the sink and in my experience, not long after you've applied it.
4. Take painkillers just before you go to bed - if they're prescription ones try to time them so you do.
5. Don't wear hand splints too much - my surgeon will actually take them off you if he sees them. You need to keep using your joints, especially hands and splints restrict movement.
6. If you wake and can't get back to sleep, my go to is to get up, make proper hot chocolate, do a jigsaw, put classic fm on my headphones and in about 20 minutes I'm needing to sleep again.
7. You can type wearing fingerless gloves :)
8. Compression gloves were useless for me but we are all different and I definitely couldn't wear them in bed.
9. If you search on my name, you'll find lots of exercises, primarily for trapeziectomy recovery, that will work really well with those fingers.
10. Sleep when you can during your non working time

Please shout if you need anything :)

Trish xx

doxothenorth

Hi all,

Many thanks for your replies and suggestions, I really appreciate it.

I've had a much better day today; the new compression gloves really seem to work for me and I can type for a bit longer before resting.

I'm also doing regular hand exercises with therapeutic silicone putty, this has helped greatly in the past to build up strength. The one thing I have to watch with the putty is that in the past I've fallen asleep when using it, the warmth of my hands made it behave like a fluid and I wakened up with it fused with my jeans! I wasn't going to risk them in the washing machine after that, so they became rags. 😂

Now that the ice has gone from the pavements, I'm also managing to walk with a stick down to the local shops, walking really is good exercise, and just being out makes you feel better. 🙂

I've ordered a multi-pack of 'hot hands' to give them a try, especially as the weather is turning a bit colder at the weekend.

I'm still tired but the feeling of all pervasive fatigue isn't as strong today and although my sleep isn't as solid as normal last night was more restful.

Thanks again, being able to reach out and just chat a bit was so helpful when I was feeling a bit isolated.

I fully intend to stay engaged with the community.

Derek