Daily fatigue

My biggest lupus complaint is fatigue but I've noticed that many days I start feeling better in the evening.

Has anyone else noticed fatigue gets a little better later in the day? I'm still tired, but I seem to function a little better. Of course this only happens if I've had a bad day and was in bed all day.

Thanks!

I have been having a lot of trouble with my stomach lately, unable to eat, nausea etc. (ulcers)

Since I can't eat as well as I should lately I bought some meal replacement drinks from the drugstore. As a happy side effect they have done wonders for my energy. They are chock full of vitamins and minerals etc and liquid so that the good stuff is absorbed quickly and easily.

Just watch the ingredients, some can be high in sugar. They are available gluten free, lactose free, sugar free etc.

I highly recommend a nutritional meal replacement shake as a boost when fatigue is really bad. Even in between meals. I've used boost, ensure and generic brands and they really help me.

Depending on your diet etc you would have to determine if it's right for you and I always run things by my rheumy or gp. I just wanted to share a helpful tip that may work for others :)

It's good in a pinch and when you can't eat as well as you should. Don't use it as a permanent fix though, it's better to get your vitamins and nutrients naturally through good old food! :)

I miss food :( we used to be great friends..

Are you on plaquenil? It really helped with my fatigue once I was on it a few months.

Hang in there a little longer. The plaquenil should make a huge difference. But know that it can take a few weeks to a full months to fully kick in. I know the fatigue and lack of any ambition is awful, but it will get better as the medication starts to do it's job. Just be patient for a while longer.
Make sure you mention how badly you have been feeling at your rheumatologist appointment, your doctor might consider a prednisone burst just to get you through this flare. Good Luck!

Will Pacquenil also help with mental fog and memory?

Plaquenil is most known to slow the progression of the disease process. Generally another first step is Prednisone to control inflammation. Then one of three things next - Imuran, Cellcept, or MTX.

For me, the significant (measurable as a big drop in IQ points) cognitive dysfunction was improved when Cellcept started controlling my disease.

Are you getting "deep restorative sleep" and eating a fairly healthy diet? These are 2 things, especially sleep quality, that often fall to the wayside when we get Lupus.

You probably need to discuss your sleeping habits & fatigue level with your Dr to see if you need help sleeping -- that can help the brain a lot. Also make sure you are eating enough protein - we women often don't get enough. Rheumy should have checked for vitamin B12 - that also affects brain function & is often low with Lupus.

You may feel better later in the day, after you've eaten protein?

Make sure to avoid melantin(?) to help you sleep. It's sold in many over the counter sleep aids.
It can cause flares in us.