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Fatigue and osteoarthritis ?

Posted , 39 users are following.

jane71998
jane71998

Can anyone contact me who have the same problems please? Fatigue seems to connect with inflammatory arthritis but I have not been diagnosed with it, only(!!!) osteo but, fatigue has a great part in my life and I would like to know if if anyone has the same symptoms

7 likes, 108 replies

108 Replies

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  • Inquisitive
    Inquisitive jane71998

    Posted

    Hello Jane,

    You asked a very simple question but seem to have been inundated with people wanting to talk about anything but! A couple have wisely recommended a physiotherapist and I would endorse that, as I've had considerable pain relief since doing so. Low mood is inevitable due to the relentlessness of the condition and I have been guilty of task avoidance, as I couldn't face the consequences. However, I came to realise that my reluctance to take on tasks became a mindset and that I had to resolve that if I was to have any sort of active lifestyle. Don't go the pills route for mood elevation as it is self-defeating, as you then believe that you can only accomplish things if you have medication. I am now more positive about what I can and can't do but don't avoid the task. I do mental and physical preparation and stage the task into manageable elements. My original method was to treat the task as a whole which then seemed insurmountable. My only current pain control is one Ibuprophen tablet each morning, as much for it's analgaesic qualities as it's anti-inflamitary action.

    Do a web search for your local NHS trust and see what they are supposed to be offering as support and/or treatment. There is a "Long Term Conditions" protocol which is part of the NHS's strategy for managing such conditions. This strategy overarches local strategies and aims to target significant areas of long term need. My own area also has a specialist Occupational Therapist for arthritis sufferers who is part of the NHS treatment progamme. There is a Pain Clinic too for people with enduring pain that doesn't respond to coventional pain relief treatments. Cognitive Behavoural Therapy can be a part of the treatment and which can enable people to cope with the psychological effects of enduring pain.

    Best wishes and I hope you have some success.

    • loxie
      loxie Inquisitive

      Posted

      Your additional info is very useful Inquisitive, thank you.  A number of us have replied specifically to the original enquiry about fatigue.  I don't however see anything Jane's original question relating to psych issues such as depression or anxiety, so I believe you too have managed to go 'off track' as we all do when a general conversation starts up, as all info is helpful - as is yours.  I would point out that not all NHS trusts are as good as some in providing the care you mention.  If you care to read other posts, you'll see that referral to a pain clinic is very much a matter of opinion from one GP to another and isn't always a provision that is available to an individual patient.  Fatigue is often a clinical symptom as opposed to psychological and treatment will differ depending on that factor.  Also, occupational therapy offered is sporadic to say the least.  Mine consisted of being shown how to climb a DIY box structure simulating three stairs and two x 10 min discussions with a PT (no actual exercises undertaken) and two rubber bands to take away to use to flex my ankle.  No OT or PT assistance has been available, even though I requested it, for the OA in my thumb joints.  No referral for any assistance with living aids either is available, again even though requested, I was told I would have to purchase these privately if required but given no guidance as to the type etc., I should investigate.  Pain relief has been for my doctor to tell me to buy ibuprofen otc.  Both ibuprofen and diclofenac have extreme adverse reactions and I am medically intolerant of both.  I was refused prescription of any opiod (eg tramadol) by my GP without explanation, even though research shows that these are very effective for those who cannot tolerate NSAIDS.  

      The original question was indeed not about our issues with medication or life management but about fatigue.  I believe I and several others did address this quite specifically to advise in response to Jane's question, that yes indeed fatigue is associated with arthritis not just as a result of coping with continuous pain and the psych effects but also as a clinical issue.  

      Long term conditions protocols may be created and written into the annals, they are however very hit and miss in operation, both due to attitudes of clinicians and to budgetary restrictions.

  • Rosieru
    Rosieru jane71998

    Posted

    Hi jane

    yes I have osteo arthritis of the hips waiting for a replacement and I get dreadfully tired. I have gone on a part time timetable at school and when I come home at lunch I go to bed for a sleep I am that shattered. I think it's all the tablets and limping around but pain can be very tiring too.

    liz

     

  • jacqui73365
    jacqui73365 jane71998

    Posted

    HI Jane 

    l am new to this site so bear with me . l too suffer with extreme fatiigue , l have cervical spondylosis for 8 years osteo in my feet and thumb joints .Have had blood tests done came back l tested positive for rheumatoid although l show no signs of this this apart from really dry eyes . So l am really confused 

    • jane71998
      jane71998 jacqui73365

      Posted

      Dry eyes come with all sorts of Arthritis but look at Sjogrens disease for more info
  • eileen64__UK
    eileen64__UK jane71998

    Posted

    Hi Jane

    Pain in itself is absolutely draining....its not unusual in OA

    Love

    Eileen UK

    • loxie
      loxie eileen64__UK

      Posted

      Unfortunately fatigue comes from two separate directions with arthritis - one is the weariness of dealing with constant pain, extremely tiring in itself.  However arthritis clinically causes fatigue too, so a bit of a double whammy.  Finding ways to relieve pain helps in the first instance and increasing oxygen in the blood will compensate for both causes.  I got told that the better my general health is, the less affects the arthritis would have.  Easier said than done when some types of exercise is either very painful or impossible but aerobic exercise (swimming, cycling, etc) is really effective in reducing fatigue a lot.
    • jane71998
      jane71998 loxie

      Posted

      Hi, thanks for this advice, the same as I received from the physio last week when I saw him for a new diagnosis of arthritis BEHIND the knee cap and in my feet!!! Blinking thing gets everywhere!!! Do not like swimming, well, getting water in my eyes, plus the only stroke I can do is breast stroke which is a no-no after hip replacement!! Gradually falling apart but, I will survive!!! Got a lovely walking stick in Boots with poppies on it so, I fly with the flowers! X
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK jane71998

      Posted

      Hi Jane

      I'm glad I'm not the only one that dislikes swimming.....all the consultants/physios etc say swimming swimming.....and i hate it so I dont do it.....no point in doing something you dont like because you wont keep it up.....thats what I think anywaycheesygrin

      Glad you've got a nice stick.

      I've now got pink crutches and a pair of purple ones have just arrivedbiggrin

      If you've got to use them they might as well be distinctivewink

      Love

      Eileen   UK

    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK jane71998

      Posted

      Ahhh the penny has dropped nowcheesygrin

      Was it the crutches that gave it away?....Eileen could have been anyone.

      Yes see you tomorrow.....looking forward to that

      Bring your stick with you....want to see itwink

    • catsmother
      catsmother eileen64__UK

      Posted

       Hello Jane and Eileen,

       I CAN'T swim....I keep being told I should learn and then it will help my OA

        I also have Reynuards ( spelt wrong me thinks?! )  my feet are really bad, I can't even get in the shower!!  so, pray tell, how am I going to get into a swimming pool???!!!!  Sometimes, these people need to actually KNOW our personal problems without telling us it will do us good!!

       Anyway, moan for the day over....keep out of the water ladies....

       Hope you can enjoy a Happy Christmas....

       Love to you both,

       Chrissie.xx

    • loxie
      loxie catsmother

      Posted

      Hi catsmother.  Unfortunately for you, the one really good exercise for arthritis and the fatigue it brings is swimming.  Mainly because its low impact and the body weight is supported so no stress on the joints etc.  My local pool has a non swimmers area and also a chair lift for the disabled to be able to get into the water.  There was a 95 yr old chap who not only had physical issues but also alzheimers, the attendant would get him into the water and stay with him to ensure he was safe.  He had flotation devices so he didnt have to bear weight.  His daughter said she thought that without his daily pool session he would have deteriorated far quicker and he was always in less pain and much more lucid afterwards.  

      For those who really don't want to swim, there are other exercises, it's just that swimming is the most effective which is why it's recommended so heavily.  Don't get angry at those who promote it, they have experience of it being very useful and really working.  It's a matter of personal choice however and nobody has the right to force you to do anything you cant or dont want to do.  For example, I dont like certain foodstuffs which I KNOW are good for me and my health issues and keep being told they are, I just cant stand them so won't eat them.   I do however accept that they would do me good and it's my choice to ignore the advice.

    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK catsmother

      Posted

      Hi Chrissie

      You are right......they have the knowledge on paper but dont suffer our problems.......walk in my shoes fo a week is what I feel like saying sometimeswink

      I know if you can swim and like it that is probably the best exercise for you because the water takes your weight but if you dont like it or cant we will just have to find something else to dowink

      I've been told swimming but also a few other exercises mentioned so I ignore the swimming bit of it nowcheesygrin

      Have a happy Christmas and as pain free as possible

      Love

      Eileen

    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK loxie

      Posted

      Hi Loxie

      We know its the best exercise for us ....I've just sent a post before reading yours.......but if you dont like it it doesnt matter how good it is for you.....are you goingg to keep it up....I wouldnt I know.

      The other problem is ....OK ....get in, swim, {or just exercise} but for me the exercise isnt worth the energy I have to expend getting out, showered, getting dried, getting dressed, and gettiing my hair done.

      I'll stick to my gym,. yoga and zumba  cheesygrin

      Love

      Eileen   UK

    • loxie
      loxie eileen64__UK

      Posted

      I totally agree eileen, spot on about if you don't enjoy it, you won't keep it up, thats so very true.  I tried yoga and knew it was helping but I absolutely hated doing it and found every excuse I could not to get to the class sad my bad.  At least you're doing stuff that helps, good for you.
    • catsmother
      catsmother loxie

      Posted

      Hello Loxie,

       I understand what you're saying about things that are good for you, I didn't mean to come across as being angry.....well...not really!  redface   I wish I could get in water, my toes and my arches cramp constantly, what a carry on eh?!!    Never mind, I do try my best to keep as mobile as I can, as we all know, some days are a little easier than others.

       I hope you will enjoy your Christmas, we don't let our health problems take all the fun away do we?     I am so happy to be able to ' talk ' to others on this site, we can think we're so alone with our pain and sometimes think we're going nuts, when all the time there are others out there who feel the same!   

       I'll say " Bye for now "

       Take care and love to you.

      Chrissie.  x

    • catsmother
      catsmother eileen64__UK

      Posted

       Thanks Eileen!!  cheesygrin

       I have answered Loxie and said I didn't mean to come across as angry really, I'm not a 'moaner' usually, just put up with the pain and carry on as best I can, I think most of us do that, well, all of us on here I am finding out!  We seem to be folk who have a good sense of humour!  Where would we be without it I ask??!!!  lol   

        It's great the way we can 'talk' to each other and find different ways of coping, things we wouldn't have thought about at all sometimes, there are some really nice folk on here who are willing to share good things, we thank them all.

       Yes, I totally agree about telling some people we come across, I hasten to add, not on this site!  to walk in our shoes and see how you feel then!

        Keep up the exercises and never mind the one's you can't do!

        I'm sure we all do what we can, we just want to be able to cope don't we?    

        Thank you for your good wishes,

       I wish the same for you,   I am absolutely sure we will do our very best. 

       Take care and love to you

        Chrissie..xx

    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK catsmother

      Posted

      Hi Chrissie

      You didnt come across like that.....I suppose that might be because I feel the same about swimmingbiggrin Yes its great to have this site to come to isnt it. You do get information on things you dont know or wouldnt have thought of.....ways to do things etc

      As you say where would we be without our sense of humour.

      We need it and to keep positive  MOST dayswink  We all have down days but on the whole i think I'm a person who thinks I CAN....... not I Cant do this.....but we do get days  lOL

      Have a great Christmas and you as well Loxie...sorry

      I'll be on before that but incase you arentcheesygrin have a great time

      Love

      Eileen   UK

    • loxie
      loxie eileen64__UK

      Posted

      hey no offence taken anyone, and I SO agree with you about getting doctors to 'walk in our shoes' - eg they should try fitting national health orthotics into ordinary shoes and then tell me that I'm being too style conscious!  Waiting 10 weeks for orthotics that then arrive being nearly an inch thick and a good one inch too big all over.  I'd need a size 10 man's shoe for them to fit inside (I take a woman's 6!) I asked the orthotic technician at the hospital what size she was....she was a size 7, so I asked her to try to get them inside her shoes - nice sensible loafer style she was wearing - she couldn't even get them inside, let alone get the shoes on too - her response? You can have specially 'orthopaedic shoes' - yeh right, at a cost of several hundred pounds, not funded by the NHS and end up looking like a deformed Jiminiy Cricket - forget it, I went and bought insteps from Boots which do the job nicely and actually fit in my shoes.  I bloody hate the NHS.
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK loxie

      Posted

      Hi Loxie

      I had to have a giggle about your comment.......docs should try fitting national health orthotics into ordinary shoes then tell you you are too style conscious  LOLcheesygrin

      What a story about those and you end up going to Boots ....good for you

      Love

      Eileen

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