So, if so many people with PsA have fatigue issues, I don't understand why the rhuemies I've gone to, seem baffled by my fatigue?? They dismiss it and tell me to go see my GP, get a sleep study (I did and no sleep issues) etc. Does anyone else have this problem?
I did see a new rheumy a couple weeks ago and he is running a bunch of tests to determine why I'm fatigued - he says my labs don't support my fatigue issue.
Someone suggested that I take magnesium. So, I am and not sure if it's helping. I cut the magnesium pill in half because a whole pill causes diarrhea. Be careful :-)
Hi Bella, do you have any good veggie recipes? Any recipes for kale - I know Kale is great for you, but I don't like the taste.
Frances said:
I love all your ideas ! I don't like to cook, but slowly cooking more and eating healthier, bit by bit.
bella said:I focus on eating very healthy food and this helps with my fatigue and now only occasionally do I get fatigued Cut down or cut out refined sugars and saturated fats. Do not use artificial sweeteners as they can be carcinogenic. You can use honey or maple syrup. I eat 5 veg and 3 fruits daily in a variety of colors. No preservatives or chemicals in my foods which means many manufactured foods and you prepare all your own food. Make sure you eat plenty of green leafy vegetables. I do know that taking a multi vitamin does not work anywhere near as well but it is better than not getting all your vitamins and minerals your body needs.
Gentle exercise every day and you can do so many exercises sitting in a lounge chair. Use cans out of your cupboard as light weights. You can do lots of stretching exercises on your bed or on the floor. Use a towel to lift your legs if it is too difficult for you. It is better if you can get out in the fresh air and walk or join a Tai Chi group.
To help you sleep, try awarm bath at night, and if you can have some relaxing music playing with only candles. Avoid bright lights before bed time, so dim the lighting down for an hour or so before going to bed. Then a mug of hot milk which you can flavour with vanilla or malt extract (not chocolate as chocolate can stimulate). Put some lavender on your pillow, it might help you sleep better.
If you are having trouble getting to sleep, learn how to use relaxation techniques. Relax your body slowly in your mind from your toes to your head and make it feel either as heavy as lead or as light as a feather which ever works for you. Make sure you lay flat on your back with arms beside you and do not cross your feet. Pack up all your worries and lock them away using your mind. Then take your mind on a journey to a peaceful place, it could be near a waterfall, or a rain forest or a grassy field covered in wild flowers. Every step of the way is done very slowly. One I do is a magic carpet ride over the city and over a tropical forest to the beach. I lay down on the warm sand and listen to the waves rolling in and tell myself how relaxed I feel and how sleepy I am. Hope this helps!
Thanks for all the good advise. I'm eating healthy...mainly cause I feel less nauseous that way... I'm taking extra b12 and Iron, and calcium and C. I'm also on welbutrin. I feel like a drug store. My rhumy told me to go to my GP about the sleep study, so guess that is next. Also I'll be starting remicade soon and maybe that will help. I appreciate all the help.
Cissy, Remicade has helped me with my fatigue.
I am exhausted too. Today I took my sons to the ortho and to the park for a bit and then had to come home for a nap. The heat makes my exhaustion so much worse.
Hi, I was tired all the time on Mtx too. I had about 15 side effects from it. I could not function on it. I was afraid at one point that it may cause me to lose my job.
i wouldnt say i am tired all the time, but i get a ping pong effect. One minute i feel like a million bucks then the next minute i am just completely exhausted. THen i rest up again, and the cycle continues. Yesterday, I tried to exercise, mow the grass, and go to work . Last year when i was a young man, i did this with no problem. This year, it is a problem though, and at work,yesterday, i nearly left early. we have a no fault attendance policy and it is early in the attendance year so i really didnt want to leave unless i was just dying. so i did tough it out, but, admittedly, the employer didnt get its moneys worth.
That is how I have been feeling there is so much that I want to get done. I have all these plans and I am ready to go in my mind but my body is like not today, today we rest or sit around. I try and fight through it and my body wins out. It really stinks.
nym said:
Exhaustion is one of the worst parts of PsA for me. Especially when I have motivation AND exhaustion. LOL Have you had your thyroid checked? Vitamin levels checked (B6, B12, D3)? It's not uncommon people with PsA to also have thyroid issues as well as too low levels of one or all of the vitamins I mentioned. I hope you find something that lifts your energy levels soon!!!