Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Hey guys! I was wondering if anyone had some tips on how to deal with RA fatigue? I'm 14 and in 9th grade and I can hardly get through the day because of it. I'm on Methotraxate and Melocicam and it seems towards the end of the day I just want to collapse and sleep. It has effected how I interact with people, too. Any tips on how to deal with it?
but next, I want to make sure your Mom and Dad are making sure they also obtained the folic acid for you from the doctor, right?
are you dosing on Friday so it hits you most on the weekend?
what do you mean it effects how you interact with people? in what way does your behavior change with other people?
Does the doc know MTX is creeping into the school day? Is there a chance your doc and parents might think that your RA is not under control and you are having greater than usual fatigue from the RA rather than the mtx?
to commiserate, MTX made me very sleepy at work and foggy. if this is the case with you (your RA symptoms are better it's just you have MTX fog), maybe you could talk to the rheumie about lowering the dose if you think your joints could handle it.
how long have you been on the MTX?
How are your grades? we don't let anyone in high school or college post on here unless they are on the honor roll or dean's list. I am kidding. really :)
we are glad you are here. welcome
Ros
Few things from a freshman teacher's perspective:
1. Have guidance load your academic classes before lunch next fall.
2. Put you gym/ROTC/choir/etc as last period of the day. If its offered - do study hall then. All of these options are not tested and it's easier for those teachers to modify based on your doctor's recommendation.
3. Get an IEP (individualized education plan) in place. It's often called by old name: special Ed. But now it covers everything from gifted to medical conditions. This gives you as the student more flexibility to work as your health allows. Do it BEFORE your grades suffer.
You have a challenging road ahead of you. I'd recommend joining an extracurricular activity that you can be involved in. Clubs like HOSA, FFA, FCA, etc are usually filled with empathetic students. You need to develop a peer support network of friends for moral support.
You might ask one of the guidance counselors if they know of a staff member with RA. I have been approached to be a mentor to a student newly diagnosed. Oftentimes he would end up in my room when he was struggling with symptoms. Its good to have an adult to vent to that totally gets it.
Good luck to you in your journey.
It is more the the effect that when I'm tired I am in less of a mood to communicate with people than I usually would be which is weird for me, I'm usually pretty boisterous. That part's extremely frustrating to me.
I'm not totally sure if it's the RA or the MTX that's causing the fatigue but I do dose on Friday so weekends are better than school days tend to be. I've been on it for about 7 weeks now which isn't too long so I'm still kinda getting a feel for it.
I'm still a straight-A student but it's challenging turning in work that I know I would have even able to think deeper about if I wasn't going through a flare. I will talk with my teachers about it so they can know what's going on so that we can try to work something out.
Thank you both so much!
It sounds like the other folks have given you info about resources to help you make accommodations with your schoolwork. I hope you feel better soon!
I cannot imagine how hard this must be.
It may very well be both MTX & RA causing this.
Looking into an IEP may be well worth it.
Even though your an A student you have years to go & it can take some stress off you.
I'm not a person to push meds but if it becomes to much to handle there are meds out there that you can discuss with your doctor.
I'd use it as a last resort but something to keep in kind.
Sounds like you are pretty smart & perhaps collage bound?
I've heard Providgal (sp?) can help.
My Aunt was on it for a few years & she was in her late 70s. I'm sure someone here has heard of it & I'm sure there's other treatments.
I'm not sure If it's used to help with exhaustion or fatigue caused from RA but if this becomes problematic it may be worth asking.
Hoping you feel better. Great job with the grades.
Sammy
It looks as though autoimmune runs in your family but, at least, that has made your family very supportive and that is such a big thing.
It could be either/both the disease itself or Methotrexate causing fatigue. You may find the fatigue will get less as the Methotrexate kicks in and your body adjusts to it. Are you taking the oral meds or the injections and what dosage are you on?
I can understand that you can't be bothered to interact with others when you are so tired. I'm like that, too, sometimes.
I am so impressed with the way you're handling this. I wish I could make this just go away for her.
Hugs.