Comments on: What Causes the Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue?

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:10:05 +0000

Most people don’t take medication for it, but some doctors have tried as you see here – also there may be supplements, even vitamin deficiencies that can end up being part of the puzzle – every single little bit can help with fatigue or brain-fog.

By: ladyj

ladyj — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:36:50 +0000

And yes fatigue is probably one of the worse symtoms – especially when you have to work. Where do we stand as far as disability goes or getting permission from employers for a nap:)

By: ladyj

ladyj — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:32:33 +0000

I had no idea they made something for the brain-fog. This is only my second post. I just found the site yesterday and can’t stop reading. It feels so good not to be alone – with the “RAD” Thanks to all of you and your post and May God Bless each of you!

By: Belinda Langley RN

Belinda Langley RN — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:03 +0000

I started taking a med for brain fog about a year ago. My doctor said that he takes it on mornings after being on call. Because I am a shift worker, it was covered by my insurance. I take Nuvigil and one of my colleagues takes Provigil. I only take 1/2 tab before I go to work. (a whole tablet seems to cause a headache) It does seem to help and though they say it doesn’t interfere with sleep, it does with me if I take it too late.

By: Hobnob

Hobnob — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:53:26 +0000

It is important for me to stick to my Fatigue rules:
* Early to bed an rise at same time daily
* Eat healthy breakfast an hour after rising
* Have a double-shot cappucino between 11am and noon
* Eat protein packed lunch at 1pm (forget being overweight – that’s just a side-effect of having RA
* Take some gentle exercise as outlined by physiotherapist
* Try to get an hours nap after exercise
* Try to get out for a ‘walk’ to get fresh air & vitamin D
* Use Internet to keep in touch with fellow RAers
* Take enough pain-relief (stick to the prescribed doses and ensure I have enough Oral Morphine if needed.

By: dldg

dldg — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:05:19 +0000

Kelly…my pain is partially under control because of the meds, and it is SO much better than before I started treatment. I guess pain in one form or another is a constant in our lives, it’s just some days are worse than others. I lived w/ FMS for years before it finally morphed into RA, but it seems like the least effort wears me out so dog gone much. A simple thing like “doing” the Mall with my sister for a couple hours exhausts me! I know one of my problems is the fact that I try to do too much. I’m sure you’re familiar with that particular malady! It seems to me you are a real go getter that pushes through fatigue and pain to do what you need to do. Maybe many of us who have RA are afflicted with that problem. We remember who we “were” and want to keep being that person. But I guess that is for another, more philosophical, discussion!

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:51:24 +0000

Saying which is worse pretty much depends on the experience. When you have non-stop pain that never drops below a 6 or 7, it’s hard to say the fatigue is worse. But in others, the pain is much less or even those like you said you are actually “pain free” at times – of course the fatigue is worse. It varies by patient and in the same patient over time. Maybe change is some relief. I don’t know though – my pain is constant. At least my fatigue is not.

By: Mike Palmer

Mike Palmer — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:30:05 +0000

I hear you, dldg. I am lucky enough to be pain free most of the time now. But the fatigue hits like a tsunami at times. It is so hard to describe to people who have not experienced it, since it is not like ordinary super-tired fatigue. It comes unannounced, and always uninvited.

By: dldg

dldg — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:11:00 +0000

Fatigue…for me it’s the worse part of RA. I used to be a very active person that always had projects going on and things to do. I taught water exercise classes and water therapy classes (ironic, isn’t it?) I’ve read many things about it from inflammation to it’s all in the head. I have a very hard time slowing down. If I stop, I can’t get going again, so I keep going and going…
I’ve been told I have moderate RA that could get severe w/o my meds. Fine, I understand that, but my lord, the fatigue really gets to me…

By: Kelly

Kelly — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:49:46 +0000

I can tolerate the pain with the help of medicine but the fatique really makes it hard to get through a day of work. Is it possibility go get some social services money instead of going to work? I just can’t make it through another year at school.