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Fatigue? Any helpful tips?

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Posted 1/30/2009 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. I have fibro and lupus. I have a terrible time with fatigue. There are days, usually on the weekends because I work full time, that I take 3-4 naps. Not that I actually sleep but my energy level is so low that I have to lie down. Does anyone have any helpful hints on what works to combat fatigue. I would greatly appreciate any feedback.

redface
Marcie In Ohio
Posted 1/30/2009 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
I've been wondering the same thing. I'll be so tierd that it feels like someone drugged me, I cant stand it. I'll be so tierd that I'll put things off, like laundry, cleaning, ect, til it's so stacked up that I get alot of anxiety and panic attacks from it. I have a old prescription for retalin that I filed but never took because I'm too nervous of side effects cause I dont have adhd, it was prescribed for chronic fatigue. My insurance wont pay for that new one that's made just for fatigue so thats not an option for me. But I need some suggenstions also.

-hellokitty
Posted 1/30/2009 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
MarcieinOhio,

There are medications that a doctor can prescribe to help with this. Maybe some of the folks that are on them will come on and tell you what they are. I forget the names for the moment. Fibro fog, Hahahaha!!

Also try the art of meditation. It helps combat fatigue if it is done correctly. You can get a book on the subject from the library or look it up on the net. (I always forget about the net. hahaha)

Rest well and hope your fatigue improves.

Lindaloo
Posted 1/30/2009 7:15 AM (GMT 0)
Do you have "the fog" along with the fatigue?  Are you at the point where you work 40 hours and do a few basics like grocery shopping and paying bills and that's it?  If so, you're already working at your max capacity.  If you work at max capacity long enough you'll probably crash eventually.  I know I did.  When I was in the hospital I finally had a chance to look back on how long I'd been operating with so little energy.  My fatigue/ fibro Dr. tells me I won't be going back to that kind of situation and I think that means some drastic changes.  shakehead    I'm not sure where this is headed right now.  I know that I have to be healthier to deal with it.

It helps to read the "spoon theory" in the Fibro 101 thread.  There's only so much energy to go around.  If you're already at max capacity, the changes will probably have to erode what's left of your "normal" life.

- work fewer hours

-switch to less demanding work

These are things that are difficult to deal with.  Having a day off in the middle of the week would help a lot. 

But a couple of things to consider too .... how long can you go like you are before your performance at work gets to be an issue?  Are you tired enough at the end of the day that safe commuting (driving) is an issue?  I know ... it's a bummer to have to face a significant pay cut.

This sounds so much like the situation I was in.  Hope I haven't read too much into this ... but my crash landing wasn't all that graceful.  There is a med ... Provigil ... that might help if you can tolerate it.  It's used for narcolepsy and sleep apnea.  Expensive and insurance doesn't like to cover it. 

This afternoon there was a topic I wanted to make a post on to get some help from people here .... if I can just remember what it was .... did anyone say "fog"?

Posted 1/30/2009 7:41 AM (GMT 0)
Marcie, Like Rich, I finally crashed at work & it took me months to recoup from it.  I was at the point of going in late all of the time.  I couldn't stay more then 4 hours without becoming very ill.  I would go to work in the middle of the night to catch up.  My sleep was the pits.  I couldn't sleep & when I did, it was unrestorative.  I was a walking zombie.  I am sorry to tell you I had to quit my job, I just couldn't do it anymore.  I tried & tried to hold on but it wasn't fair to my bosses & I knew they didn't want to fire me.  The first thing my Dr addressed was my sleep issue.  I take cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) one at bedtime along with Melatonin 5mg, sublingual.  This has been the best combo for me.  YOu need to get your sleeping problem under control.  Once you are getting good sleep you will feel alot better but you will still have to deal with your energy levels by pacinf yourself.  We are all different in many ways with this DD.  For daytime I use B12 sublingual for energy along with a B complex & regular vitamin supplement.  Some get good results from Provigil or Adderal.  I hope you will be able to find some answers & keep working at you job.  Alot of people here are able to work full or part time.  Many hugs, Denise   
Posted 1/30/2009 7:51 AM (GMT 0)

I have the same problem. I even fall asleep sitting in a chair watching t.v. which I've never done, in front of my computer, and have trouble keeping my eyes open while driving. I tried to get provigil from my Rheumy, but he won't give it to me because of the other meds I'm on. My sister takes Provigil and says it has really helped with her energy and fatigue. Hope you are able to find something to help you!

Hugs!!  Margie

Posted 1/30/2009 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for all your great suggestions. Unfortunately I have no choice but to work as I am the primary bread winner in our family and I carry the insurance. I have read about the "spoon" theory and my husband, so sweet, always asks me at the end of the day "how many spoons do you have left". I take trazadone and flexeril before I go to bed which I do sleep through the night but maybe I'm not getting the right kind of sleep. My house is a mess, the laundry is piled up and I feel like a constant procrastinator however you know what... I'm okay with that because there is only so much I can do. I have an appt with my Rhemy next month so I will also asked her. On last note/.. I am deficient in vitamin "d". I wonder if this has something to do with it?

Thank you for all your support!
This forum is so helpful!
Marcie in Ohio
Posted 1/30/2009 3:28 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Marcie and Welcome-

I worked fulltime prior to getting fibro late last winter and I could not figure out why I was SO TIRED ALL THE TIME! I am 52 and I know that aging played a part in it but this fatigue was bad. I have not been able to work since and am fighting Soc. Sec. Disabilty. I fatigue easily, and I have to have at least two rest periods a day, late morning and late afternoon. I drink coffee in the morning and a cup around suppertime or I would not make it through the day. The winter has made the pain and fatigue worse. I don't think it is abnormal for you to have to nap on the weekends with this either. And I was always behind on cleaning, etc. even before the fibro hit so I know that feeling too. Just can't win.   mad

Nice to hear you have such a supportive hubby-

GamJill

Posted 1/30/2009 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes a little exercise can give you energy. It doesn't have to be anything strainous. I think that moving around gets more oxygen to our brains which helps.

I take adderall for fatigue. I tried ritalin, but it was in a weird barrel form. It was too spiratic for me. One day it would work, but the next it wouldn't. I tried provigil also, it gave me a sore throat, cold sores and diahhrea. Other than that, it worked well.

I hope that you can find something to help you with the fatigue. I know how bad that can be, I once fell asleep driving. Woke up when I hit a a stake on the side of the road and it took out my passenger mirror. So please be careful while driving.

Best wishes for an energetic and painfree day.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/30/2009 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Marcie, and welcome!  I used to live in Ohio...the Cleveland area and also around Dayton. 

 

I started taking 1,000 IU of vitamin D a couple of years ago because I read in JAMA that doctors now think that's what an adult needs per day and it helps against heart attack and stroke.  Since I'm a diabetic too, I decided to do that protocol.  Imagine my surprise several months ago when blood work came back and said I was deficient in vitamin D!  There are many members that have a vitamin D deficiency so that's not unusual.  I now am taking 2,000 IU a day and you know what?  I'm not as tired and I'm not in as much pain!  I don't know if it is a coincidence or not.  I have been in a flare for about six months and then all of a sudden the flare left and it was right about the time I upped the vitamin D.  So, you might want to talk to your doctor about that.

 

I also take malic acid/magnesium supplements for pain and fatigue.  There is a link in the Fibro 101 thread all about them.  This might help too.  Just a thought...

 

Anyway, I'm so glad you joined us and I hope to hear more from  you soon

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/30/2009 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
I just got a script for Provigil and am waiting to see if it goes through my ims. My doc said if it doesnt he can write a letter to ins to override the origional no to make it go through. I am anxious to see if this helps cause I am feeling like I have nacolepsy here.

Karen
Posted 1/30/2009 9:48 PM (GMT 0)

You might want to check into D-Ribose, made by Corvalen, and also a powder supplement that contains a bunch of vitamins and supplements, including malic acid that is called Daily Energy Infusion by Fatigued to Fantastic...Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum recommends these and he claims he has helped hundreds of FM and CFS patients with fatigue with his SHIN protocol, which you can read about, in his book "From Fatigue to Fantastic"

I read the book and did the protocol and bought most of the supplements and vitamins. Honestly, I am not "cured" but I think for the most part, I have more energy than before. As far as the pain, it is about the same.

As Sherrine mentioned, vitamin D is a major problem for people with FM, so many of us are low in it and don't know it. I just found out a little over a year ago and I've been on massive doses (600,000 units of D a month) prescribed by an endocrinologist, and my D level is still too low; higher than it was, but still not at normal. That can also cause fatigue and pain. It's a double whammy...

Posted 1/31/2009 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
I have started taking a bunch of vitamins I take a multivitamin ,calcium and vitamin D Also A B complex I also take the malic acid What seemed to really help was adding the extra D..I thought I was getting enough with the calcium but it was only around 100 m so it was not enough. I dont feel as tired I can actually get all my houses cleaned and still make dinner for my family Which I was not doing before... Good luck
Posted 1/31/2009 5:51 AM (GMT 0)
Ive also heard provigil is a good one to help you stay awake during the day.

-kim
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