fatigue: /

dutchess
dutchess Member Posts: 79
edited 3. May 2010, 13:39 in Living with Arthritis archive
I've just had an awful week with fatigue/pain. There was no way I could go into work as barely functioning struggling to string sentences together, concentrate, do basic tasks and the tiredness was over whelming so have mainly been sleeping. I've been ticking along fairly well for a few months being able to overcome bit of fatigue/pain/flare etc but then it hit me last weekend and was overwhelming. I think I go into a pattern with this. It seems like I can push myself for so long then it just gets too much and I just shut down. Just wondering how others manage it? I really try to balance work/life/rest but seems a never ending challenge and what 'normal' things I'm able to do are more restricted :/ I'm trying to keep positive and feel vaguely more human today so hope I can enjoy the bank hol weekend with hubby but not over do it as want to be in work next week.
Take care
Luv Kelly

Comments

  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Kelly,

    good to see you again but sorry your so wished just now. I can't help cus I have never found the balance my self but leaving you a ((( ))) and a hope you soon have more energy and less pain. Cris x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I think everyone has a problem in finding the right balance because arthritis, in all its forms, is so unpredictable. We'll all keep trying tho! Take care and try to have a lovely bank holiday. Dreamdaisy
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Kelly,
    sorry you are having a bad spell at the moment - listening to your body and resting and sleeping are very wise. Hopefully the bank holiday weekend will help too.

    The balance is very hard/impossible to find - when we feel good we want to do more ...

    Speedalong
    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.
  • psyart
    psyart Member Posts: 600
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi - I agree with other comments - tis hard to find the balance, but we must listen to our bodies or we can do more damage? I have had fatigue in the afternoon yesterday and today - no reason as not been doing anything more or diffferent but just needed to sleep!!! yesterday was in bed from 12.30 till after 4pm!!!!! today I feel asleep in the chair for over 2 hours!!! but I do feel better after!!! well my body feels better but my mind is anoyed as the day has gone!!!!

    take care and have some hugs from me (((((()))))

    louise xx
    e050.gifo050.gif
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, sorry you are struggling so much at the moment. As the others have said there doesn't seem to be an easy answer. For my part I have found that stopping completely, even for a couple of hours can make a difference to the way I feel. When I was really struggling, I found that going straight to bed when I got in from work and just spending the evening resting, reading or watching TV did help me to cope. I know not everyone can do this if they have family commitments but I think that, if you can pace yourself, making time to rest regularly, rather than trying to push yourself until it gets too much it can really help.
    Hope things do get better for you. Tilly x
  • bubbles
    bubbles Member Posts: 6,508
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Kelly, I can only reiterate what others have said, there is no rhyme nor reason sometimes, to the fatigue that hits you like a brick wall. If you have overdone it, then you can expect arthur to bite you, but, as I was saying to my GP, the fatigue can come from nowhere and it makes you feel so rotten, irritable, upset, angry and frustrated. I am terrible at listening to my own body and try to fight it as much as I can.
    I usually get told off by the lovely people on here and also my OH. I am forever sneaking off and pottering, try to keep going, but, you do yourself no favours in the end and even I, who doesn't know the meaning of the word "relax",has to stop and go to bed to rest.
    XX Aidan (still known as Bubbles).
  • annabout
    annabout Member Posts: 3
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi - I'm fairly new - well, very new actually to this forum. I have had RA since I was a teenager - I posted somewhere earlier but can't find my post now - so I might just be repeating myself. My RA was first diagnosed at 43 (I'm 61 now) but I had trouble with my feet from about 14 yrs of age. At 16-18 my boyfriend (now my hubby) used to half carry me from dances back to the car. If only the doc had told me to wear sponges or something in my shoes, I would have been so much better. Trainers are an absolute must now too.

    Fatigue hits me every so often and the only way to manage it is to rest/sleep. I find a few mornings and an hour or so in the afternoons in bed, help me the most. Of course, if I didn't try to do so much on my good days, then I'd be better I'm sure. You can have a bout of fatigue after just sitting down doing nothing.

    I find swimming just once or twice a week helps me the most especially my neck. Exercise can be difficult to start off after a bout of fatigue and it always takes me a day or so to work myself up to it - even the simplest exercises I can do on the bed seem like a huge task but once I get going, I'm ok again. I love to disco dance when there's nobody looking - in my own way of course!! :D:wink:
  • dutchess
    dutchess Member Posts: 79
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    Thanks for everyone's responses. Fatigue is a real dilemma for us with arthur. I do try to pace myself but think I also overpush myself and when I feel well I want to do everyone. I love to socialise and party but my body doesn't like to too much anymore so very frustrating. I also love my work. I'm hoping to go back to work tomorrow still not 100% but I've rested up soooooo much. I work four short days so will try to stick to them as I have a tendency to stay longer which probably doesn't help but more exercise would also benefit me. Now with the nights getting lighter and hopefully some nice weather more walking would be lovely. Its something I can enjoy with my hubby.
    Take care
    Luv Kelly
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