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Joints/Fatigue relationship?

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Posted 3/21/2006 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone noticed that when they are overly tired, their joints tend to ache worse than normal?  I have noticed this about myself, and was just wondering if it was a problem. It makes sense to me...

Elcamino

Posted 3/21/2006 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
I think it is probably a 2-way street with RA. When your joints ache, you are probably tired as well.
I tell people that RA is like having the flu, you are achey and tired, with more emphasis on the joints, of course.

And it really is similar, since it is the same immune system that rallys to fight a cold or flu, that gets confused and attacks your joints. You get tired for the same reasons you do with a real flu, the body is diverting energy to fight the problem, or in the case of RA, the percieved problem.

or that is how I understand it ... Craig
Posted 3/21/2006 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
I'm gonna start calling you Dr. Craig... MD Brossman!... :) Makes sense to me
Posted 3/21/2006 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
I found that when the weather changes it causes my arthritis act up and makes joint hurt .
Posted 3/22/2006 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Curley,
My Doc told me that weather has no affect on RA, and while I believe this technically, I can easily imagine that the combination of joints made stiff by the cold, and RA, can make a bad situation worse. So the cold may not change the behavior of RA, but it probably does make a bad case of RA feel worse.

Thanks Duck!

In My Humble Opinion ... Craig
Posted 3/22/2006 3:48 PM (GMT 0)

I tend to agree with you, craig.  My rheumatologist contends that many patients have told him that the weather affects their RA.  He thinks it may have to do more with attitude.  That being said, when I get cold, my joints feel a lot worse.  Although I also have Raynaud's, so I'm sure that is contributing at least to my painful hands.

Elcamino

Posted 3/23/2006 7:06 AM (GMT 0)
eyes  i've always had this theory on fatigue and pain: when we're fatigued we tend to not hold proper posture, we use our muscles incorrectly, shift our weight inbalanced...thus leading to more joint pain.

with RA there is a fatigue (a very unique fatigue) that comes along with it that is inevitable many times like Craig explained with the flu.  and when we're exhausted...i think we tend to "notice" more achy and painful symptoms.

it's a viscous cycle needless to say.

for myself?...i'm in a lot of pain and therefor lose my appetite...and then i'm fatigued...the i'm too fatigued to eat...and i'm fatigued because i don't eat! it's a circle!!!

in addition: when in a flare whether it be Crohns, RA, fibro....increased joint pain will come as well as increased fatigue. 

oh, and when you're overly tired...certain chemicals in the brain are more receptive to pain and pain sensations. which makes sense when we're sleep deprived, we tend to ache and be in more pain. 

it all just adds up to being very vigilant of our bodies and really listening to it. if ya think about it...it's never wrong.   :-) erin VIEW IMAGE 

Posted 3/23/2006 7:09 AM (GMT 0)
i'de also like to add: i was under the care of a neurologist for 4 years as she was treating both the Lymes disease and RA. she said to me, "One of the best things you can do right now is fall in love." I thought that was so sweet. (then again...she did also tell me i should drink and party more! LOL) but her point being...we have to take charge to MAKE ourselves feel the best we can even if it is superficial spiritual, or mental or emotional...because for the most part, we can't control the physical sometimes.
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