Overwhelming tiredness

katekelly · 19. May 2009, 15:05

Hi Folks,
I know that this blasted disease makes us all tired but the last few days I have got so bad I can hardly speak (and that's saying something). The problem is when I do go to bed I can't get off to sleep very easily -restless legs etc and then of course it's the same old story- need to move- wake up 'cos I'm stiff- takes so long to move I'm then awake for the next 3 hours. I usually take a sleeping tablet once a week so I can get at least one decent night but even that isn't helping now. I am absolutely shattered. I'm trying to keep my iron levels up by eating the "right" sort of fruit and veg. I try to rest during the day to stop myself becoming overly tired but it ain't working like it used to.
I'm going to clinic on thursday so will ask for my blood results just in case I'm slightly anaemic (never suffered with that even through all my pregnancies and surgeries).
Can anyone else think of anything else I should be watching for? Or anything else I can do to help myself or any questions I should ask at clinic?
Thanks Kate x

colinone · 19. May 2009, 15:18

Hi Kate
Well it must be catching because I’m the same, I’ve done so well the last month or so with just the odd night of lack of sleep but for the last 5 or 6 days or should I say nights I get very little sleep. I was napimg in the day but stopped to see if it makes a difference but I’m like a zombie some days. The other problem is lack of sleep can make you so much worse condition wise. I think its something that affects us all and some medications don’t help. I’m still on The Prednisolone and that prevents me from sleeping until I just fall asleep at anytime because I’m so tired. Hope you find the answer and pass it on to me. I tried the sleeping tablets from time to time but make me feel doped up the next day. With dad Being ill I need to keep my wits about me. Keep your chin up.
Colin

joyous · 19. May 2009, 15:31

hi i was the same last wk felt like doingnothin no energy at all they call it fatigue i blame it on the weather myself hate this damp cold miserable dark weather was the same last year as well . lts like a depression give me sunshine think its just one of the things we all have to put up with i was once given some vitamin tabs off my gp and they did work i was anemic for a while a couple of months ago but a fine now . still feel tired and restless . good luck joy x

mash65 · 19. May 2009, 16:04

hi,i think the tiredness affects us all.ive got oa. my medication makes me so tried. last wk i hardly did anything around the house.
i literally forced myself to sit,lay down,have hot baths & as some of u know my knees still swelled up.
last night was terrible i had hot sweats all night,icthing feet fell asleep for about 2hrs got up at 6.30 because i was stiff then fell asleep til 12.30 :shock: but i was so stiff again.
i cant & never have been able to sleep during the day,i can lay on the bed but never nod off.
even taking sleeping tablets only gives me 4hrs max.i dose myself up before i go to bed,i think thats enough to knock an elephant out but not me.everytime i turn over cause of the stiffnes i wake :shock: :shock: so i dont know the answer neither do the drs.
when i was younger i had no trouble getting 12hrs,working on 8hrs but that was solid sleep.debsx

mandy_b1967 · 20. May 2009, 16:53

I have noticed tiredness through the day getting worse since around August last year. I get up at around 8am and some mornings I get up feeling like it the middle of the night. I sleep okay but wake quite a few times during the night. I am not sure if I hurt when I wake or wake because I hurt!! Anyway the GP thinks that I am either going through the beginnings of the menopause (great) or I have under active thyroid. I have blood tests tomorrow so at least I will know in the next couple of weeks either way.

Here hoping everyone has a good nights sleep tonight
Mandy

joyful164 · 20. May 2009, 18:46

Well I think I was well and truly beaten by the tiredness today. Ended up under the duvet after lunch and slept the afternoon away because the pain has been so bad the last few days. Today there seemed to be abit of respite and the tiredness just engulfed me.

I feel really guilty because I had so much to do today. Being recently retired, I know getting things done shouldn't be a problem, but there are still deadlines sometimes.

I do feel for anyone who still has to go to work, and looking after the family. With this RA, PA etc etc. you all have so much to to achieve each and every day. You can't just sneak off and do what I did.

Anyway, I'm off to bed now and I hope you all have a good night

Joyful

colinone · 20. May 2009, 19:14

hi kate excuse the one handed typing chicken leg in other hand
tiredness yes its all the leftovers you eat lol.
it really gets to you at time and then there are the nights you cant sleep at all and you feel so ill the day. i tried to get myself into a sleep routine but it never lasts long. Take care Kate
Colin

katekelly · 20. May 2009, 20:07

colinone wrote:

hi kate excuse the one handed typing chicken leg in other hand
tiredness yes its all the leftovers you eat lol.
it really gets to you at time and then there are the nights you cant sleep at all and you feel so ill the day. i tried to get myself into a sleep routine but it never lasts long. Take care Kate
Colin

Thanks Colin appreciate your kind words. It's just gone 1 am and haven't even thought of going to bed. So very very tired though but terrible pain tonight. In some ways I'm glad I'mnot working at the moment as I don't think I'd be in any fit state to do anything useful tomorrow! Still clinic tomorrow so get blood results- maybe that will give me a clue as to what's going on!!

Oh by the way did you enjoy the chicken?!

suzster · 21. May 2009, 09:38

i to am really struggling with sleep and tiredness at the moment, i've upped my amitriptyline from 20mg to 30mg after talking to rheumy nurse, it helps because i get to sleep quick but like you've all said it's the waking up after a few hours, all stiff, struggle to move due to pain and not wanting to disturb husband! he moans if i have a restless night, maybe it's the poking and thrashing as i try to get comfy! oh i wish we could at least get decent sleep, i'm sure we'dd all feel better for it.
i'm not going to risk taking oramorph before bed unless i have to though, it gives me terrible nightmares, it helps with the pain but i hate waking up terrified!!
sue

breane · 21. May 2009, 09:50

I can't remember when I last slept for more than an hour at a time.

No matter if I go to bed early or late,the shoulder/arm pain sets in and I know it will be another restless night.I tend to catnap through the night,15 mins here,20 mins there so by the time I get up in the morning I am totally exhausted.My tossing and turning has got so bad that during the week I sleep in the spare room just to give my o/h a good nights sleep as he has to get up very early for work.Has anyone else had to resort to that?I feel I have to push myself during the day to get things done and unfortunately,I'm one of those people who can't catnap during the daytime to try and catch up on a bit of sleep.My GP won't prescribe sleeping tablets until I've had my first appointment with the rheumy in June as no doubt all my meds will be changed.Cant't wait for that appointment to arrive! Breane.

joyful164 · 21. May 2009, 10:20

katekelly wrote:

Hi Folks,
I know that this blasted disease makes us all tired but the last few days I have got so bad I can hardly speak (and that's saying something). The problem is when I do go to bed I can't get off to sleep very easily -restless legs etc and then of course it's the same old story- need to move- wake up 'cos I'm stiff- takes so long to move I'm then awake for the next 3 hours. I usually take a sleeping tablet once a week so I can get at least one decent night but even that isn't helping now. I am absolutely shattered. I'm trying to keep my iron levels up by eating the "right" sort of fruit and veg. I try to rest during the day to stop myself becoming overly tired but it ain't working like it used to.
I'm going to clinic on thursday so will ask for my blood results just in case I'm slightly anaemic (never suffered with that even through all my pregnancies and surgeries).
Can anyone else think of anything else I should be watching for? Or anything else I can do to help myself or any questions I should ask at clinic?
Thanks Kate x

Hi Kate

Are bananas suppose to be good for restless legs. I've tried eating one early evening and find that I get a goodish night.
Joyful

katekelly · 21. May 2009, 15:15

Eventually closed my eyes at 4.40 this morning and Sarah was up at 6.20 am so not a great deal of sleep!! Pain was really bad.
Went to clinic this afternoon and said about the tiredness and we checked my iron levels but that was 12.8 so I'm not anaemic. The Nurse thinks it's all to do with the stress of Ellie being ill, being laid off work etc. etc.- life basically. After thinking about it I think she may be right. I need to relax and take stock of things. When I'm relaxed the pain is manageable (still there but manageable). I think that maybe it's my bodies way of telling me this and getting me to slow down.
So any good tips on relaxation? Tried the clenching/unclenching of muscles and always end up with cramp!
Anyone out there with tried and tested methods?

skezier · 21. May 2009, 15:43

Hi Kate,

I am sorry your having a rough time, for the cramp I take quinnin and it does help.

I use the relax each muscle on a bad night, where you literally just do each one, one after the other. It's not always easy to find some position to be comfy enough to relax in but I hope you have a better night tonight. take care, Cris

Overwhelming tiredness

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