Fatigue is the worst part of RA to me. I was also diaged w/ CFS and was in bed or a recliner for the first year of RA. I had to quit work. I did not do laundry or change sheets on a bed by myself for a year. I did not sweep a kitchen floor for a year. My husband had to do all of that. He shopped for me, cleaned and did every thing. I didn't drive for 3 months after being diaged. I could not go to a restaurant or a family function or a even a movie for the first whole year of RA bc of the fatigue. It's horrible.... so i understand.

Like I said... the fatigue is the worst part. I am now able to get out of the house most days of the week but not for more than 4 hours. If I do, then I crater the next day.

Rest, vitamins, having my meds in balance, naps, yoga, eating well and doing light projects works for me. It's just part of the party. I got Meyers Cocktail IVs for a whole year that helped greatly. I still get them periodically but they are very expensive. But I needed them so badly there for a while. I am doing much better with the fatigue. But I still have bad days where I can hardly get out of bed bc of the fatigue.

I understand. Ginger xo

Thank you, linzsey and gingergirl1961 - your words of experience and support are very helpful.

Fatigue is horrible.. I am anemic. my blood work comes in just above the line for Iron but the rest of the blood work shows it is very low and makes me anemic. I work 40 hrs a week and sleep in my car at lunch most days to try to catch up .. I am in bed by no later then 830 most nights. I am horrible at taking pills and have tried vitamins...still trying.. and I have tried yoga.. really liked that but have been in a flare up for months hoping that this new meds will give relief and I can do that again... I feel the stretching will be a great benefit. the fatigue and the brain fog is just hard to adjust to... give yourself time and get as much rest as you can.

Bannc2000, talk to your RA doctor about your fatigue situation. Ask him/her if you should take iron supplement & folic acid (a type of vitamin). I'm currently taking both & they really help me fighting my fatigue. I was diagnosed with RA last July & started to take DMARDs in September (Plagquenil is one of them). Both folic acid & iron supplement help bring my blood counts go up so I feel less & less tired & sleepy as days go by. My blood counts are not yet in a normal range but I don't think they will ever be because I need to take DMARDs for the rest of my life because of RA... :( Currently I have 4 different types of DMARDs but hopefully I can only have to take 1 or 2. I will talk to my RA doctor about it on my next appointment.

Correcting my Vitamin D deficiency made a big difference for me,