Exhaustion
Hello everyone, I'm new. In looking to hopefully talk to people in similar circumstances as me so I don't feel so alone. I'm 37 and been suffering a lot of joint pain all over my body that is quickly getting worse. Iv tried to get attention from my doctor's for some time but due to my age feel I have been dismissed red. Anyways finally was sent for blood tests that revealed very high levels of antibodies in my blood. Doctor thinks RA. There is a strong link in my family. My mum was diagnosed at a similar age and also both my nanny's also had it at a young age. Iv been waiting 5 months and finally have my rheumatology appointment through for next week. I'm so relieved. The main thing I'd like to ask if ok if anyone else has this overwhelming extreme exhaustion, so much so that it makes you feel ill. I'm finding myself having to sleep that is the only thing I can do. Is this connected to RA? Does anyone have any advice. So far am only taking painkillers for the pain bit am hoping the rheumatologist will start treatment when I go to the hospital. Is that likely to happen when I go for first appointment. Thanks for any help and advice you can give me š
, hello and welcome! While I wish you had no need of this community, I am glad you found us. I am so glad you kept pushing for answer and a diagnosis and that you now know what you are dealing with.
I hope your appointment next week is productive and you and the rheumatologist is able to work with you to find the best treatment plan.
While I don't want to make any guesses about your symptoms, fatigue is a pretty common issue when it comes to RA. Many of our members have shared that it is one of the more frustrating parts of having RA.
You can read more about RA related fatigue here -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/symptoms/fatigue-and-weakness and here's a link to a number of pieces written by our contributors on this topic -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/spotlight/chronic-fatigue-tiredness.
I do hope you get some insight and support from other community members, as I know you are definitely not alone in this!
Please keep us posted on how your appointment goes, if you feel comfortable doing so.
Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.hi, thanks so much for taking the time to reply. It is a relief to know I'm not alone as it does feel it some days. The exhaustion so far is the hardest part to deal with but I'll keep my fingers crossed for some relief. It really had been a battle to be listened to so my appointment can't come soon enough šthanks for your advice.
I hope your upcoming appointment brings you answers and puts you on the road to relief. The exhaustion of RD is so tough! Iāve learned to listen to my body and build rest periods or days in to my life and to realize itās a sign my current plan may not be working and I need to follow up with my Rheum. When I went to my first Rheum appointment I already had a probable RA diagnosis. My doc confirmed the diagnosis as Moderate to Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. He ordered further labs and ultrasound imaging of my hands. He started me on steroids, but with instructions to wait until after imaging was done so the inflammation wouldnāt be masked. We scheduled a follow up appointment to go over all the tests and he told me to expect to go on methotrexate at that time. I would like to give you some advice on your first appointment, based on what has worked for me. Write down a list of your most concerning symptoms and questions. Make sure to specifically state what you need from this appointment. Donāt be afraid to refer to your notes and donāt allow yourself to feel too rushed to do so. Take notes. Consider taking a trusted friend to help listen and take notes. Once, when I went out of state for a consult, the doc agreed to allow me to audio record our discussion which I took notes from later. It was so helpful when I went back to my referring doctor. All my docs appreciate my lists and end the appointment making sure we covered it all. With Hope and Best Wishes for relief, Jo
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me.thanks for all your excellent advice I will certainly make a list As I know things can slip your mind by the time the appointment comes around as iv been waiting so long. Also there's a few things that have come to mind that I think I wonder if connected. For example in the night sometimes I suddenly really sweat. Iv never had night sweats before. Not sure if relavent bit will mention it. Hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel š
Sweats for me come at all hours of the day and night, from Ta itself and then from 2-3 meds that cause sweats, I really hate them, to be sitting anywhere T anytime in an air conditioned environment and have sweat running down my face, hair getting damp, no fun and whatās weird is I only sweat on my head, face, and neck to just under my breast, no underarm etc. it will run down my back from all the upper areasā¦ and not one doctor will even discuss it as a serious issue to me. I donāt think there is much to do for it, except temporarily, and Iām not adding another medication to my list of there is one soā¦. I keep my hair cut very short and I always have bandannas available, in my purse, in my truck, one tied around my neck, I dress casually, loose clothing etc! Itās all I know to do. Hopefully yours will not get any worse š
Hi
. On top of the other excellent information posted, I thought you might be interested in this article from our contributor Tamara on what to expect from your first rheumatologist appointment: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/what-to-expect-at-your-first-rheumatologist-appointment. In addition, this article from our editorial team looks at the diagnostic process (it involves much more than the blood work): https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/diagnosis. Finally, this article from our contributor Kelly offers questions for the doctor: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/questions-for-the-doctor. I'm sure this is (understandably) a stressful time. Please know that people here understand and that this community is here for you. Wishing you the best and please feel free, if you like, to keep us posted on how things are going. Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
