How do you cope with fatigue, Part deux

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knitternsk8rgirl
knitternsk8rgirl Non-active member Posts: 18
edited 16. Jun 2010, 12:26 in Living with Arthritis archive
So, I've just been to the Doc about my fatigue etc. that I posted about last week. After I explained to him how I was getting a good night's sleep every night, had reduced my hours at work, was eating well and had no problems with work/personal life/etc (apart from arfur!) but was still experiencing fatigue on a regular basis, guess what he said? "It's the pain killers you are taking that are doing it. You should reduce or stop taking them".

So then I reminded him that I had tried reducing them 6 months ago and found that I was in a lot of pain every day, Duh!. I asked if he was saying that it was a straight choice between pain or fatigue, and got no response. Okay then, on to the next question, could I see the Consultant again - answer was yes and form was filled in. Then he asked me about whether I drank alcohol, and when I said I drank on one night a week (Sat only, don't drink in the week) and only had 3/4 drinks when I did drink, he then was of the opinion that this level of alcohol was higher than 'desirable' and would contribute to the fatigue too, along with the painkillers. Ehhhh!!!

I've taken these painkillers since 2007, why would they suddently make me fatigued? and how can 3/4 drinks a week have a big effect?

Does this make sense to anyone else? It certainly doesn't to me.

Comments

  • woodbon
    woodbon Non-active member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi, Perhaps he thought you should drink MORE alchol! What you drink seems nothing much to me and I don't drink all that much!!!
    Love Sue
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    babycham wrote:
    This is simply daft a few drinks one night a week hardly kitten much more likely to be arthur.. or pos could you have anemia ask for full blood count they never offer anything its like pulling teethxBabycham

    I'll second this - that's rubbish about the alcohol. Definitely ask for a blood test as anemia makes you feel dreadful. Arther does make you feel tired and pain meds do contribute ... If you are still worried go back and said you cut out the alcohol and it made no difference ...

    Speedy
    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.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Non-active member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    You can take anything for a period of time and then suddenly your body begin to rebel against it. You sound as tho you have everything controlled, you are sleeping well, eating well, so I think it's the arthritis combined with pain control. One does need a break from the daily grind so as long as your 3/4 drinks doesn't consist of entire bottles of vodka you should be OK. Tiredness goes with the territory. It's what arthritis does. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • knitternsk8rgirl
    knitternsk8rgirl Non-active member Posts: 18
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Have taken the advice re getting blood tests, so I'm going for a full blood count, a thyroid function test, and something called a BCP, whateva that is. Guess I'll see what that throws into the mix.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,425
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Knitter

    good on you.

    I hope they 'find something' that is sortoutable. (new word)

    Things like fibro can make you exhausted even WITH plenty of sleep as can inflamatory arthtis - I am sorry i dont know which you have?

    Glad you got the ball rolling

    My only other advice is to take someone with you when you go to the docs - they are way less rude to you if you do and you remember more too.

    Love

    Toni xx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Non-active member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi kittens, how are things today? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi, when do you get the results? In the meantime keep getting lots of rest ...

    Speedy
    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.
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Non-active member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Knitters

    Glad to see that you are getting some blood tests ...

    Quite ridiculous comment from GP about your one-night of alcohol consumption per week!!

    Let us know how things go for you.

    Best wishes

    Marion
  • carola
    carola Non-active member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hello

    Regarding fatigue ..... I believe that we are knackered because of 2 things:

    1. Our immune systems are working overtime cos they are confused.com and that makes us fatigued.

    and

    2. Stress makes us very tired and our Arthritis really stresses us out due to the pain, worrying about work or not being able to work, money, losing our identity due to changing our lives, worrying our family and friends, worrying about daily tat etc.

    So, I believe the best way to deal with fatigue is to accept that when my body is saying it needs a wee nap or rest that I do just that and b *gger everything else!

    Keep smiling, Carol :lol:
  • lozza812
    lozza812 Non-active member Posts: 25
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I've been to the Docs with extreme fatigue and lots of random pain .. when I had my bloods back it showed I had low calcium and low Vit D both of which can cause tiredness apparantly.
    And I drink lots more than you... so clearly it makes little difference. Anyway wine is good for you, its made from grapes, which is fruit which is one of your 5 a day!
    Its a bit like chocolate, which is a bean, etc... :lol:
  • wibberley
    wibberley Non-active member Posts: 421
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I mentioned my fatigue to the doc recently and he put it down to the power struggle between my body and the sulpha I'm taking for RA/JIA.....and to put up with it!

    Lois x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Non-active member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    lozza812, I admire your reasoning. Validation! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • knitternsk8rgirl
    knitternsk8rgirl Non-active member Posts: 18
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Toni
    You don't know what kind of arfur I have, and neither do I :lol: . Didn't realise for a while that there was more than one! 'N it's no thanks to my GP that I now know a bit more. DD I'm actually feeling quite perky this week - maybe it's the weather? I'm writing this in the garden, thanks to my laptop and broadband.
    Lv to all
    Knitty x

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