Did he give any inclination as to what he thought was causing the fatigue?

I suffer quite badly with fatigue and most days have to nap for an hour or so when I come home from work and am so tired by the time 9.30pm comes.

But I have never mentioned it to my Rheumatologist as like you I just thought it came with the package of RA and meds

All I know is that we would not choose to sleep our life away unless our body insists that we do so! Lazy? No. I'm sorry, but I disagree with your doctor. I bet if he/she had RA he would understand that your body is working so hard to survive that it saps all of the energy.

I hate that I don't have enough energy to hunt bargains at Target. I hate that I need a nap every day I get home from work.
I hate that I had to sit down and let other people decorate for my son's wedding last weekend. I'm tired of being tired!!!!!

So trust your body and don't beat yourself up if you need more rest than the "normal" person. You'll know when you can handle more. And I know we are all looking forward to that day.

Amen, Lisa!!!
I forgot to mention it to mine on Monday, LuckyS, but SHE brought it up and suggested I switch to the D3 (instead of the useless stuff I'd been taking), and some DHEA.

Sometimes doctors may not completely understand what we are saying. I suffered with joint pain and fatigue for 1 1/2 years because some PA doc said 'I must be stuck in a rut' or something. I went on believing that.
Then later I was diagnosed with RA and Lupus.

You know your body, and that something is just not right. Although, fatigue is a huge part of having RA, just like caroline... said you would not choose to sleep your life away.

You will need more rest than the next person, but, if it really feels like it could be something more serious, get a second opinion...or third.

Very well said, aharmony. Sorry you had to suffer like that for a year and a half, but you nailed it (the point) very well. Thanks.

Get a second, third, fourth, opinion! I went for years before finding a Dr. that didn't think I was lazy or a hypochondriac. This guy was the one that finally connected the dots.
This opinion of "laziness" projected by doctors and others seems to be a common thread among us sufferers.. frustrating!

Caspiana - like the other posts, I disagree with your doctor. Fatigue and RA go hand in hand. From day l, my rheumy warned me about it and advised me to rest.

I agree with getting another opinion because this one is whacked.

Lynne

Thank you guys. Now I don7t feel like such a whiner :-)

I know when I have a flare the fatigue is awful,when the pain subsides the fatigue sems to linger. I told my rheumy and he seems to have the attitude like its no big deal which infuriates me. I sometimes think the fatigue is worse than the pain,sometimes

I'm another person that disagrees with your doctor. Fatigue is such a huge part of RA. You are definitely not a whiner! Sometimes I think the fatigue is the hardest part for me. I have to take rest periods when I'm working around home. I just seem to poop out very quickly.
Hugs~ Linda

Fatigue is definitely a sequelae of RA - don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

I work during the week, and I find as the week goes on, I am definitely more fatigued. By the weekend, I am usually pretty much toast! If I am busy on Saturday (i.e., doing errands, laundry, etc.), Sunday is usually a write off. There are also days during the week that I have to nap when I get home from work.

I like my sleep, but I was never this tired before RA.

Caspiana - I should have elaborated. I have the same fatigue patterns as Keimoe - more fatigue as the week goes on, needing extra sleep and napping and limited activity on the weekend.

Lynne

Hi. I have days where I'm absolutely exhausted, even though my lab results show things are somewhat better. My vote is to take a nap when you're tired and don't beat yourself up for it. My doctor told me that when you have RA all your body's energy goes to fight the disease until it's really under control. So it may be that your fatigue is residual, but your body is telling you something. Take care of yourself and rest if you need to.