Problems with fatigue
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi all. I'm 69 and was diagnosed with RA about 18 months ago. I also have mobility issues following Spinal Surgery 3 years ago - just to add insult to injury!
I've noted considerable problems with fatigue and poor sleep patterns - dropping off in the afternoon or early evening for several hours then going to bed and waking up at "silly o'clock".
I've spoken to my GP about this and she says that this sort of fatigue "goes with the territory I'm afraid".
My RA Physiotherapist says I should pace myself (whatever that means!) and have a couple of half-hour dozes during the day so that I get some quality sleep at night.
Is my experience typical of those shared by other RA Forum members?
Oh, and while I think about it - Happy New Year to you all!!!
1 like, 7 replies
EileenH mike42824
Posted
It may have sounded unhelpful but your GP was quite right - almost all autoimmune illness is accompanied by fatigue and we have to learn how manage our available energy. Just because our illnesses have different names doesn't mean the problem is different.
If you follow this link
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/pacing-in-chronic-illness-some-useful-links-that-explain-it-and-how-to-do-it-516000
you will find a post with links to some excellent resources - the one for ME/CFS is particularly good as I said there originally.
Another very useful illustration is to be found in the Spoon Theory by Chrstina Miseriando - use your serach engine to find it. I should have put it in the post but never thought about it at the time.
Resting BEFORE you get so tired will almost certainly give you more useful time in the day - and deciding you are going to have a "dad nap" or little zizz after lunch will help enormously! And sometimes the poor nighttime sleep is because you were overtired when you went to bed - remember saying the kids were "past tired"? Same for us too.
Hope this helps explain - and Happy New Year to you too!
Rowbirdie EileenH
Posted
Ah - useful thought about not sleeping being overtired!
My hubby couldn't understand why I didn't sleep well one night as all I could think was that I d done too much talking the evening before. The Spoon theory is helpful.
happy new year to you!
amy77765 EileenH
Posted
EileenH amy77765
Posted
Yes, it's a mix of the fatigue and the brain fog. I used to ski, even with my illness (not RA) but I had to be so careful not to overdo it! I once did my planned 3 short runs, got to the top and thought "I really feel good, just one more". About 2/3 of the way down I felt as if I had hit a brick wal! That last couple of hundred yards took forever! I never made that mistake again!
It still happens occasionally, after a long period of a lot to do, travelling and keeping appointment. It hits about 7pm and I have no choice but to go to bed. I'm OK next morning though!
Rowbirdie mike42824
Posted
I m 65. Diagnosed nearly 3 years ago. My RA is well under control- in fact I m in remission officially, but still have to sleep more than I used to- and pace myself. So that means for me planning in some down time during the day- yes even a planned nap! Or having a quiet day after a busy day. I find crowds and noise difficult although I never was like that before RA! But I am able to do a lot now I m not at my worse- like looking after grand children, dancing, decorating, walking. Sometimes I don't sleep well - don't know if it's RA or meds, but I just read or watch Tv and make up for it next night! So I think your physio is right that you just have to work around the fatigue in the best way you can- hard if you were very active before.
Jayjay1959 mike42824
Posted
Hello Mike
HNY to you too
You are not in this alone it is a very exhausting disease and
Like you said you wake at stupid o'clock.
I was prescribed with Amytriptaline by my GP this is a muscle
relaxant.( originally was an anti depressant but was not fit for
purpose but Doctors discovered it was a good relaxant)
I reduced my working week to 4 days a week to give myself a
balance of rest and work.
The Amatriptaline helps me sleep ready for work most days.
However as you have probably realised sometimes nothing helps.
I do also have Quinine which helps with restless limbs, which can occur
My GP started me on 30-50 mg per night it takes about 2 months to get into your system and for you to find your required level of
Dose
After 16 years with RA i now take 75 mg per night because of
Damaged joints.
I am lucky and my GP is a muscle skeleton specialist and is very supportive
I won't hurt to discuss with your GP
Hope this helps
amy77765 mike42824
Posted