Anyone get really, really tired? I work the night shift as an electrician. I work 6pm to 6am. I was forced onto this shift about 2 years ago and I'm getting more and more exhausted. I went from sleeping five hours a day and not taking naps to sleeping constantly. I'm always tired. Also, going to Rheum tomorrow and start new treatments. I was on Azulfadine and prednisone before a silent heart attack and haven't used anything else since. That was back in July and I've gotten worse all over. Any suggestions would be helpful.
I have been poorly controlled since 2006 but had PsA for much longer. Before that I was a single mother working long shifts and taking care of my kids. I was unaware when exhaustion from that slipped into the exhaustion of PsA. I am glad you are seeing a rheumy tomorrow. Exhaustion is a big part of uncontrolled PsA. When it is better controled we feel better. Good luck.
Exhaustion is a huge part of PsA. It is definitely worse when the disease isn't under control. Good luck at your dr. appt. tomorrow! This is something to discuss with your dr.
Can you get your shift changed to something more manageable with the backing of your Docs? My work have accommodated me as far as possible which benefits them too as I'm more productive (sickness is better) But as has been said in the other replies, fatigue is part of the uncontrolled disease.
I am always tired. But, I have been able to decrease the bone tiring fatigue to outside the hours or 1000-1500hrs by increasing my protein in the morning and drinking tons of water. I still collapse into a semi coma when I get home for a couple of hours and from 6-10 in the am I do a great zombie impression. I sat down with my pharmacist to make sure I was getting the most out o my meds and not taking something that would add to my fatigue at the wrong time. I am trying (not all the way there yet) to allow myself to rest prn and to conserve energy. I also had to give up shift working as the switching from days to nights was really doing me in. I am currently trying to find a day job that would work and thank heavens my employer is good about it. If you can try consulting a dietician they might be able to tweak your diet to help with fatigue a bit. I know switching shifts s not always an option but I do have to admit (and I loved night shift) that working days only has helped. I am currently in a flare? I think that is how you call it but am pretty sure the diet changes have helped me deal with the pain and fatigue better.
Yep, I get tired as heck too. Have been on Remicade for a few months now. After the infusion the exhaustion goes away until the week before the next infusion. We call it "Remifade".
Fatigue is a major issue for me. I'm having a flare-up right now, so that doesn't help. Fortunately I'll be seeing my Dr. March 13th. I'm currently taking Methotrexate, Celebrex, Folic Acid and Cytotec for my PsA. After my 20-25hr/work week I'm bushed. I take other meds too (Antidepressant, Anti-Anxiety) which may not be helping.
I may have to look into another bioligic, but after my experience with Simponi (was sick most of the time) I'm rather skeptical..
Taking appropriate medication and adjusting your work hours should definitely help. Good luck to you!
Thanks for the suggestions. Sorry it took so long to get back on here. I got off work Wed morn at 6 am and went to the rheum at 10:30. I was told that I have both RA and PsA, something my previous Dr. failed to mention. Anyway, she gave me a MTX injection, 15mg, and a prednisone Rx. Needless to say with the lack of sleep and the MTX, I was down and out for a few days. She also, suggested that I become a vegetarian to help with the inflamation. That's gonna be the hard part!
I am now retired, but I have worked plenty of night shifts and was on a five week roster going from nights to mornings to afternoon shifts. Some people cope better than others. I was one who never did cope well. Night shift is so unnatural and throws your natural body rhythms completely out of wack. To work nights and have PsA are more than most people can cope with and are enough to make you tied and exhausted.
A heart attack on top of all this would add to this exhaustion. It takes a while to recover after a heart attack and the progress can be slow but gradual, it all depends on the damage done to your heart and to what degree. If your heart has sustained damage or if parts no longer work than the rest of it has to work very hard to keep you going. Your doctors or PT should be helping to regain as much of your health back as is possible.
Sometimes we get to stages in our lives when we have to re-evaluate what we are doing and take a serious look at the best way of coping and make adjustments especially when we know that our lives have changed due to illness with on going health problems. Battling on the way you are may need some rethinking and some changes to the way you live and work.
That's what I've been thinking about Bella, re-evaluating things. I was only off of work for a month and then right back to night shift. It was a very mild heart attack and I have no damage thank God. I'm just flat worn out and I feel so much better when I can sleep at night. May-be time for a change.
bella said:
I am now retired, but I have worked plenty of night shifts and was on a five week roster going from nights to mornings to afternoon shifts. Some people cope better than others. I was one who never did cope well. Night shift is so unnatural and throws your natural body rhythms completely out of wack. To work nights and have PsA are more than most people can cope with and are enough to make you tied and exhausted.
A heart attack on top of all this would add to this exhaustion. It takes a while to recover after a heart attack and the progress can be slow but gradual, it all depends on the damage done to your heart and to what degree. If your heart has sustained damage or if parts no longer work than the rest of it has to work very hard to keep you going. Your doctors or PT should be helping to regain as much of your health back as is possible.
Sometimes we get to stages in our lives when we have to re-evaluate what we are doing and take a serious look at the best way of coping and make adjustments especially when we know that our lives have changed due to illness with on going health problems. Battling on the way you are may need some rethinking and some changes to the way you live and work.
