Just wondering what people are taking/doing for fatigue?
Absolutely wrecked tired all the time regardless of how much sleep I get!
No energy, have to push myself all the time!
Thanks.
Hi, I feel the same way! I am hoping you get some helpful replies. I need some energy too! Not much help except to know that you are not alone!
Hi me too! I also get pain and no swelling and bloods show low disease activity, do you get same level of fatigue without flare?
Thanks Janis,
Looking forward to getting some suggestions as to how to alleviate the tiredness
Hi Caz,
I'm afraid my fatigue level is the same all the time unfortunately.My bloods are all normal except for Rh factor and ANA, never have raised ESR, CRP etc. Only very occasionally have swelling. Often wonder what I did to deserve this!
Try Vitamin D3. I had severe fatigue that lasted all day. I could barely make it to the kitchen and back to my chair. The doc checked my blood and said I was on the low end of D3 and to try 1000 IU a day. Within 24 hours I noticed a big difference. I had energy and thought clearly. Since then I have graduated to 5000IU a day and have not had that kind of fatigue since. Just use over the counter D3.
Hi ,river has it right.I am usually low on my vit d and I was put on vit d3
I asked what the difference in d2 and d3 was and was told that d3 gets
in your system faster.I would have your levels checked to see where you are.
Hi river22,
Am already taking 400iu Vit D daily along with many other supplements. Got my levels checked at recent clinic visit, they're within normal limits.
Am contemplating Ashwagandha. Any thoughts on this?
Hey I'd give it a try. I see on here that some supplements work well for people and some it doesn't. Go for it
Hi do u take medication for your RA I wondered what people were taking in general x
Hi do u take medication for your RA I wondered what people were taking in general x
The answer to fatigue in autoimmune disorders is not to push yourself all the time. It is pacing and resting appropriately. Google the spoon theory by Christina Miseriando for an allegory.
The fatigue is due to the autoimmune disorder - and it mostly makes your body feel as if it has flu. There is no medication that will relieve the fatigue - that is a question of adaptation and lifestyle changes. It often helps to rest BEFORE you get so tired - some people plan a midday nap if they can, but even a lie down in a relaxer chair may be enough.
I can't put external links - but if you go to this post on another forum:
you will find a couple of links to leaflets about dealing with fatigue in chronic illness, the second is particularly good. It doesn't matter that the label is for another autoimmune disorder - the concept is the same.
Vit D levels are often low in autoimmune disorders, it isn't known whether it is cause or effect, but having it checked and put right is a good start. Then you may be able to rule that out as a reason. Anaemia is also common in chronic illness - get that checked out too.
A supplement dose of 400IU vit D is nothing like enough for most people and definitely not for for someone with a chronic illness. 2000 IU is what is recommended for everyone here where I live - in sunny Italy where people spend a LOT of time out in the sun. 80% of the population is still vit D deficient! But you need to have the level checked first - to be sure you don't have anything that makes you have a high vit D level. It is unlikely - but it does happen.
Hi, do empathise with your fstigue. Worth a try is Efamol evening oil of primrose i stopped talking it for a while and then realised I was really much worse with fstigue, I felt I was taking so much medication I needed to reduce stuff! I do take D3 especially living in north if England! The EOP saved my life, I shall always take it now as soon as I restarted I felt different in 3 days, so worth a try. The brand was produced by pharmacists and is safe and I have tried cheaper varieties, they just dont work for me
Eileen, thank you so much for your very comprehensive reply.
I've downloaded the documents in your post on the other forum and will read later, will also read about the spoon theory.
I'll increase the Vit D dosage after my next clinic visit.
I'll also try to adapt my lifestyle as best I can.
Thank you again.
Yes Emily, I take a lot of meds.
Simponi, MTX, Sulphasalazine, Plaquenil along with many supplements (Glucosamine, Fish Oil, Biotin (for hair loss), Vit D, Calcium and Magnesium. Also Paracetamol and Ibuprofen for pain! Am 56, diagnosed in 2010 but probably have had this for many years without being diagnosed.
Have to say overall I feel a thousand times better since being diagnosed and starting on treatment despite all my ranting!
Thanks Treezsh,
I'll certainly give that a go - everything is worth trying in my opinion. I'm sure I've seen it in my local pharmacy.
Many thanks for replying, I'll let you know how I get on with it.
Do remember to check with your pharmacist that it is OK along with whatever medication and other supplements you are on. That applies to everything - even when you think it is natural and so harmless - sometimes they aren't good mixed with other things.
You are right there Eileen, my Rheumatologist put me on Vit B but when I took it my Arrythmia started playing up. Luckily I had a good Doc who asked if I had taken Vit B recently, when I said yes he explained that most vitamins now are compounds of many vitamins and Thiamine can bring on Arrythmia if you are predisposed to it. I stopped the Vit B and the Arrythmia stopped too.
You never know until you try. Some people on this forum swear by turmeric so I tried it. Nothing. I've tried several herbs and oils but none of them really worked for me
Hi again, just to say I tried turmeric, reslly scared not to try anything that might help with the fatigue! No change for me either but there was a programme about it on TV in the uk and it apparently needs to be cooked to have the anti inflammatory properties released! So.... if yiu dont mind the taste , which I find a bit overpowering! Put it in your food, fry it, or heat it up, the tests were pretty convincing! I think the programme was "trust me I'm a doctor" oDr, Michael Mosely hosts it I think.