Is It RA Fatigue? Maybe Not

By RondaSue

1 min read

I have RA and COPD. Both cause fatigue.

RA fatigue symptoms

But lately I’ve just been dragging, forced to take 2 or more naps a day, unable to shop, cook or clean.

In my awake moments, I honestly wondered how I was going to function because I certainly wasn’t. Then by chance my PCP ran labs on me, something done several times a year.

Is anemia to cause for fatigue?

I was ANEMIC! Enter: Fatigue!

I’ve started iron therapy and will hopefully feel better soon.

If you are unusually tired, maybe more than usual, please get your iron levels checked.

You can’t fix RA. But you can fix anemia.

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RHall Community Admin
Hi <inline-mention username="RondaSue" user-id="4255133"/> - thanks for sharing your experience with the community. It's interesting to know that anemia may be cause of the fatigue (or at least part of the cause) of the extreme fatigue symptoms you've been having. One of our RA health leaders also had a similar experience (<a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/vitamin-b12-deficiency-anemia' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/vitamin-b12-deficiency-anemia</a>). I know you'll have a better sense in the near future as you start iron therapy. Please keep us updated! Warmly, - Reggie, <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net' target='_blank'>RheumatoidArthritis.net</a> team member
Franki King Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="RondaSue" user-id="4255133"/> that is a relief! I am glad you found some answers and for something that's a little more manageable than RA. I can definitely concur with feeling fatigued all the time. From as early as I could remember I was tired. I thought it was just a part of my personality, even being as young as I was...15...20...25. I had anemia too which I took iron pills for plus tons of other supplements that I hoped would help with the constant exhaustion but it wasn't until the last year, at 26, that I feel true energy for the first time in my life. It took time and dedication to get there but it was totally worth it. Aside from focusing on eating better, sleeping better, and moving more, I think the biggest thing that helped me was not drinking so much coffee. I was starting my day with coffee and drinking 4-5 cups a day just because I was addicted to the ritual of drinking it and not because it was giving me energy anymore. I think drinking it so much and so often was exhausting and dehydrating my body. Now I start my day with a good breakfast and then maybe have 1 cup after and I actually feel the caffeine buzz and have lasting energy all day! I truly can't believe it sometimes. Are you an avid coffee drinker? If you are, would you ever try this? Love & healing, Franki (RA.net team)
Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="RondaSue" user-id="4255133"/> thank you for sharing. Honestly, it just reminds me that sometimes especially with my fatigue I'll easily say to myself that it is my RA or other conditions I have. However, you are right to always get our symptoms checked out, especially if those symptoms are starting to feel more then what your baseline usually feels like. Definitely best to not assume it's our RA. I am really glad you and your medical team were able to pinpoint and find another contributing factor to your fatigue. You mentioned you were on iron therapy. I was wondering if that was through an iron pill or another method. I ask because I have a friend who suffers from anemia and she can not tolerate the iron pill. I hope you are tolerating your iron therapy well and I am wishing you the best. Appreciate you being part of our community. Just Keep Swimming...Lynn Marie, "RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member"
RondaSue Member
I’m taking iron pills this time around. Several years ago I was terribly anemic. So much so that I had to get iron transfusions every day for 2 weeks. During by my first pregnancy (a century old ago-ha!) I was anemic and had to get iron shots in the rear. I don’t think the iron transfusions were available back then. But I’m sure your friend’s doctor would have a treatment other than the pills. If not she may have to see a specialist. Best of luck!
1. phiggy1 Member
 <inline-mention username="RondaSue" user-id="4255133"/> Just actively getting back on this site. I too have RA and COPD both. After only wanting to sleep I asked doctor to do bloodwork. It was such a mess (iron and high white cell count) he sent me to a Hematologist. Since that visit I’ve been taking iron infusions regularly. Can’t take biologics due to COPD so of course RA is clearly not stable. Continuing joint deformity. Last week annual eye exam showing issues with Plaquenil use. Now instead of 2 a day I’ll be taking only 1. Don’t even wanna think what’s going to happen now. 😥 What meds are you on?
2. RondaSue Member
 <inline-mention username="phiggy1" user-id="8415039"/> LOL! (sorry) My med list is 2 pages long, typed. But for the COPD I take Azithromycin 250mg daily, generic Mucinix 400mg four times a day, ProAir rescue inhaler, Albuterol in Nebulizer twice a day, Tobrymicin (antibiotic) in nebulizer twice a day and Trelegy inhaler before bed. For the RA I do Actemira injections every 2 weeks. Hydroxchloroquine 200mg once a day. I have several other health conditions so there are more medications. Im curious. You said you couldn’t take the biological due to COPD. Can you please explain that a little more? Thanks.
RondaSue Member
😊
RondaSue Member
Yes I did have extensive lab work done to determine my anemia. It will be repeated in a few months. Will also be having a colonoscopy to rule out any problems there. Thanks for best wishes.
Robinkay1970 Member
Myself I continue to just be drained not leaving my house recently I canceled Easter dinner with my family, I was so exhausted and brain fog without sleeping several nights now I'm feeling guilty about taking care of myself any ides that might help?
1. christine.laaksonen Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Robinkay1970" user-id="6917705"/> please try not to feel guilty for taking care of yourself. It can be such a hard thing to do, to put yourself and your health first, yet so important, especially when living with a chronic condition like RA. Brain fog and lack of sleep can be huge in creating exhaustion, things this community understands all too well. I'm not sure if you're looking for ideas for sleep or for not feeling guilty, but I'm sharing two articles here with you. One with some sleep tips, <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/quality-sleep-tips' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/quality-sleep-tips</a> and And this one from our advocate, Daniel, about his fatigue and guilt, <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/fatigue-guilt' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/fatigue-guilt</a>. You're not alone! Sending you gentle hugs. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
Daniel Malito Moderator & Contributor
Always fighting that low hemoglobin with my RA. Sometimes it was in the low teens, sometimes down to even eleven, and once, when it was real bad, it was a six. That was a particularly bad few weeks, but then they gave me that IV bag full of rust and voila! Fixed up! You are not alone, thanks for sharing, keep on keepin' on, DPM