Hi Mary, sometimes I need a power nap as well. I think it is just the way RA behave in our bodies. There are times when I have to take a nap on my lunch hour. My primary used to tell me to take a nap on my lunch hour so I would not feel so tired by the end of the day. Hope you catch up on your sleeping.

When is the last time you had labs? I know I am chronicly anemic but sometimes worse. When its bad I am mucho re tired. Complete exhaustion. Also lots of our labs can be off like potasium b12 and vit d just a thought.

Me too.
I am so exhausted. I'm at work and all I can think is I want to close my eyes. Just for a minute.

I was supposed to go swim this morning but I coudn't get out of bed.

I feel your pain.

The fatigue for me is almost as bad as the pain. I do get a good night sleep of 7-8 hours, and now that I am home, there is at least a mandatory nap for 1 hour in the afternoon. It comes over me quickly as I can feel my eyes actually closing on me.

DrSLPT said "I am so exhausted. I'm at work and all I can think is I want to close my eyes. Just for a minute. "

When I was working, that wasn't an option. If I closed my eyes for 2 seconds I would be dead along with a few other people. That is one of the main reasons I had to stop working.

Yep. I think the fatigue is one of the most annoying symptoms...

You are not alone. I am still working but find myself falling asleep at my desk. Let's hope for all of us that things get better!

Sometimes the fatigue is worse than the pain for me. I like to take hot showers & drink coffee. I also take frequent naps, even if its only 30 minutes. It seems to rejuvenate me for at little while.

I miss coffee so much. I used to love coffee and tea. I'd get all kinds of gourmet roasts and hand grind and perk. My RA followed a 3 year battle with ibd. My very first symptom was intolerance to caffeine. I can't even touch decaf or more than a bite of chocolate (which I do and usually regret).

Christine,I too have often gone into my car at lunch and napped a little.

The fatigue is the most maddening part for me. Some days I fell like I can conquer the world and some days its all I can do to get to work. I am trying to take it one day at a time for me that is really tough. One the days I fell good I have to be careful not to over extend myself. I find myself saying maybe ALOT ie Maybe I will go to the movies etc.... Sometimes I feel like a world class flake

Fatigue is a major issue for me as well. At times it's more debilitating than the pain. For me, fatigue is different than tiredness and an urge to fall asleep. It's more about a complete lack of energy that cannot be remedied with more sleep. Flares definitely make the fatigue worse.
Fatigue is also a major symptom of Fibromyalgia, which is seen at higher rates in those with RA. Blood tests cand be done to rule out, thyroid problems and vitamin/mineral deficiencies, as some have mentioned.
My Primary Physian is having me try Nuvogil, which is commonly used to combat sleepiness in those with narcolepsy.

Fatigue +exhausted ..hard to deal with ..especialy when you want to be out and about doing something ..
Tami

I'm in bed right now about to take a nap. The fatigue is nearly as bad as the pain.

If you don't mind taking pharmaceuticals, Adderall or Provigil could possibly help get through the day.

You aren't alone.

TheWino

Sometimes I nap during lunch or a break at work. Set my alarm and catch a few zzz's. I can be so fatigued during a flare especially and can't sleep. That's when the ambien helps. Hugs

I was self employed and had to close my company. I am always tired. It's hard to wake up in the morning and I take a nap after lunch (sometimes after breakfast). If I don't set my alarm in the afternoon I'll sleep until dinner. I can't have caffeine because I also have Essential Tremors in my hands. It's a benign tremor (not like Parkinson's) but caffeine make it so much worse.

I was watching Shark Tank and a military guy invented a drink to keep you alert without caffeine. I'm waiting for that to see if it works. Has anyone tried that 5 hour energy stuff?

I get my methotrexate shot on Saturday night. I wind up sleeping all day on Sunday.