Tiredness
I am really fed up with feeling so so tired, my energy levels are so low can anyone advise me please.
oh gosh, RA fatigue can be so rough and depressing! Are there other RA symptoms flaring also? Fatigue could be a sign that your RA is not under control and it may be time to check with your doctor. I’d emphasize with them how much it is affecting your life. Sometimes docs seem helpless with the fatigue. Is pain interrupting your sleep? I sometimes use half a tab off a prescription sleep med when I’m worn out. I usually feel a bit better the next day. There are a few lifestyle things we can adjust. A bedtime routine and set bedtime can help. Check your eating habits. Pace yourself and build in rest periods during the day. Is your mood okay? Depression or anxiety can increase fatigue. People can come up with many suggestions on RA and fatigue. I Hope you find one or two that can help you! Jo (moderator) Thank you so much everything you have said I feel, I am waiting for my next appointment I am going to tell the consultant how I feel my body feels totally inflamed every joint hurts. I am up early and try to keep busy things I used to do without thinking takes me so much longer and some things i leave i do try to have a positive mind most of the time and i am always in bed for 7ish every night. I read and like to be quite. This R A is horrible I feel so much for everyone who is suffering. What pain tablets do people take?? Thank you for your support. Brenda
Hi Brenda (
). So glad you are planning to speak with doctor about these issues. Are you currently on any specific RA medication? There are now quite a few treatment options, but it can be difficult to find one that works. This article from our editorial team gives an overview of the current medications, with links to additional information: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/treatment/drugs-and-prescription-medications-for-ra. Every person reacts differently to different treatments, but hopefully others will chime in with their experiences. Please feel free, if you like to keep us posted on the appointment and how things are going. People here understand. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
I am on salazopyrin 500mg also hydroxychorquine 1 a day . They do seem to help pain is calmer if that sounds sense doesn't stop the feeling of being exhausted all the time. Thank you for taking the time to reply sorry it takes me as long as it has.
Hi Brenda (
). You definitely are not alone is struggling with fatigue, even when it feels like other symptoms are pretty well controlled. I want to share with you something I wrote to another community member on this issue:
"Wish I could provide insight on how to make it better, but I know everyone has heard (probably far too often) the advice on getting more rest, pacing, etc... What I can tell you is that there is ongoing research into the actual physical causes of fatigue. For example: this recent paper details research into how "how chronic low-grade inflammation can lead to reduced cellular-energy availability," and thus fatigue" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5932180/. Other research is looking at how certain inflammatory molecules may bridge the blood-brain barrier, again leading to fatigue. Hopefully, discoveries like these will lead to real world treatments for fatigue as its own issue. I know this isn't terribly helpful in the here and now, but figured sometimes it helps to hear that people are working on these issues."
I hope this information manages to provide a little bit of hope and please know that this community is here for you. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
thank you Richard
