Can arthritis cause unbelievable fatigue?

Hi I have never posted on this forum before as I tend to post on the Crohn's forum, but I know how you feel. I am having major issues with fatigue and I can't get into see Rheumatologist for 2 more months (mine moved so all her caseload got transferred to the one remaining doc) Appt with this guy is like gold and he is 50 miles away. ANYWAY, my point is, my Crohn's is pretty good, but joint pain especailly hip is horrible and the confusing part for me is that I am on REMECAIDE and have been for almost 2 years so shouldn't that help the arthrits issues??? I am just confused.
I know I have not offered you any help at all, much less any answers, but I DO understand your frustrationa nd pain. So, I guess i'll just offer my thoughts and prayers.
Chronic illness sucks!!!!!!

Hey Irish,

 

I should have read this post from you first!! Hahaha... I told you to go see a rheumy and you mentioned that in your response here.  I read things backwards.  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers Irish. Same back to you too!

 

Yes!  Chronic illness blows huge chunks of crap!!!

 

Hi Sj,

Thank you for confirming the fatigue factor in this.  I don't have a fever.  Pretty sure there's no infection going on, but I'll get my CBC and other lupus blood tests done on Monday to make sure. 

 

I'm seeing my rheumy in August regarding all this.  I haven't been the same since a near-death medication allergy in June of '07.  Before that happened, my lupus, fibro, etc, was very much under control.  Not so now. The sacroiliitis was diagnosed in 2005, and the neck arthritis in January of this year.  I'm going downhill!! I'm also feeling very old.  I'm wondering if my prednisone and Imuran just aren't working anymore.  Plaquenil might be an option for me. I just don't know. 

 

 

 

Thank you Joan.  Yes, I wake up from getting 10 hours of sleep every night, but I feel like I haven't slept in a week.  I only have an arthritis diagnosis in my neck at the moment.  The rest of my pain is yet to be diagnosed. 

 

Is Sacroiliitis a form of arthritis?  If so, I have that too...

 

 

Fatigue is a huge problem! It's not just you. The disease itself causes it, certain meds can make you drowsy on top of it. Do you get your liver checked too? When my enzymes are elevated, I get so tired I feel like I have narcolepsy at times.

Taking a B complex vitamin daily may help boost you a little  bit until you see your doctor to discuss.

****

i also have a rice krispie body...snap crackle and pop! i am real tired too...the heat and humidity is making it worse.

I would check and make sure you're not coming down with something as well. Have you ever had mono?

A B Complex Vitamin contains all the various b vitamins including folic acid - I was told by my doc to take that, not just a specific B or a mixture of a few b vitamins. Just a thought.

Let us know how your tests come out.

***

I have bad osteo-arthritis and am glad (well not glad!) to see that otheres are experiencing extreme fatigue too. Even the smallest amounts of exercise or work is leaving me exhausted and though I have an unbelievably high pain threshold and to date have refused pain meds my tolerance levels are diminishing fast. The arthritis has gone rampant in both knees and also in my hips and joy of joys!!!! it's also very bad in my spine!

I take Glucosamine and Chlondritin daily along woth Omega 3's,6's and 9's and they help.

My last consultant told me to exercise more by walking and cycling but this only exacerbated the problem so now I am reduced to swimming which has helped my back a lot but is painful on my knees.

Have tried Apple Cider Vinegar but it upsets my stomach so had to ditch that treatment! Drinking boiled water with a slice of fresh ginger helps and heard that making a puree of fresh ginger and than placing over affected area helps....Have yet to try this but at this stage am willing to try anything that is non chemical as am sure that all the old wives treatments have substance to them. am also trying Liver detox and will let you know if this works!

mlelsc.

Mary Lou, I have the same issues with exercise. Nothing is working.  Everyone tells me that water exercises are the best thing since sliced bread.  Well, I have yet to see that wonderful piece of baking.....  Swimming kills my sacroiliits.  My lower back can't take it.  I also have trouble pushing off the bottom of the pool because of my insane foot issues. There doens't seem to be anything I can do!  Swimming on my back is okay as long as I don't use my arms!  My shoulders can't take the movements.  What the heck!!  I'm really frustrated because I know I need the exercise.  I need to lose 20-30 pounds.  I just can't find a regime that works.  Oh, the swimming is too expensive too.  Can't afford the sessions or the memberships...... BAH!

Really?  I'll have to look into those! My feet are so bad I can hardly stand it anymore.  And my lower back and neck. BAH.  I need a break......Anyone know a good full body transplant surgeon?  I can keep my teeth. They're lovely.  Everything else, and I mean everything, has to go.

Good morning Sheryl! Fancy meeting you here! LOL.  We do have our issues don't we...

 

Yeah, I don't know what's making me so fatigued either.  All of my diseases/disorders mimick each other.  It's making the diagnosing process extremely difficult. I think the flare up I had last week was mainly Fibro. I came down on my prednisone and I started to feel better, so that's a good way for me know what's flaring.  But the joint pain has not gotten better.  You had foot problems too eh?  I've read that foot issues can be related to spondylosis. I'm still convinced I have AS. But who knows!

 

I hope you have a good day today.  How are the kids?  It's been a long time since we had a chat!

 

Take it easy!

Ginny

lol, ginny! If I had a dime for every time I wished I could replace my body!

Sheryl, the area you are complaing about is your metatarsil. Have you tried putting some good metatarsil pads in yours shoes? The ones i found were the best used to be about $7 and I could only find them in a cobbler's shop in the mall  or something similar. They were well-padded and had a nice solid tape around the entire edge to stick to the insole of your shoe - none of that little square of tape in the middle that caused a thin little pad to roll up when you put your foot it.

***

it is amazing how good foot inserts at the drug store can make your feet feel. for under $10, what have you got to lose?

i am very tired too but am successful at my swimming regime. do some walking too on a rubberized running track but only when the weather permits. right now asthma and walking does not mix.

hey when you find that complete body transplant surgeon, give me her phone number too!