Profound Fatigue

Hello Everyone,

How do you deal with extreme exhaustion? I go to bed between 9-9:30 pm every night and sleep till 5:45 am. After I put my son on the bus and send off my other son and hubby to work, I'm back on the couch asleep by 8:30 till 11. Then get sleepy again around 4:00 pm. Or if I'm having a good day I'll be busy and then totally wiped out for next two days. I wish there was something that could give me a little boost. I can drink 2 to 3 cups of regular coffee and go right back to sleep. It's so weird. It's so hard when you have two boys who want to go go go and I just can't anymore.

I'd like to feel the way I feel when the Rhyme gives me that shot in my back side. about three days out I feel amazing. Last time I was there I was in a flare so he gave me the shot of steroids and I felt so much better.

How do you deal?

K

Severe fatigue was definitely one of the biggest issues I've had with Lupus. I could sleep all night, wake up & have a shower & breakfast, nap till early afternoon, quick lunch and nap again till dinner & a couple hours up with my family...all the time feeling like I was moving thru a heavy mud!

My rheumy suggested a sleep study, which in my case didn't find any issues. Then he put me on a sleep medication -- I thought he was nuts but was willing to try anything!!! And now I sleep 9-10 hours and am fairly refreshed & awake the rest of the time! Apparently I was sleeping but not really getting "deep, restorative sleep" and the sleep med (I take Trazodone) really helps.

Of course, it also helps that my Lupus isn't as active as it once was -- the constant inflammation & pain are also a big contributor to fatigue. I suggest talking with your rheumy and making sure they are taking ALL your symptoms, including fatigue, into account when designing your treatment plan!