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...

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RA Fatigue and School

GinDawg27
GinDawg27
So I'm 15 years old and tomorrow I start my sohpmore year in high school! Last year I had very bad fatigue during school and could hardly make it through the day without leaving school early or naps once I got home. Over the summer I added a Cimzia injection to my current doses of MTX and folic acid and my RA is now considered inactive! :)though I still get fatigued quickly, its a lot less than before. I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for fatigue and how to deal with it throughout the day. Thanks!
2scicrazed
2scicrazed
First off, have your parents schedule a meeting with your teachers. They need to be aware of your illness as it can rapidly change and impact your daily activities. This needs to be a team effort for the next three years. The staff will work with you.

Good luck!
HandedGuy
HandedGuy
Get a good night's sleep. Every night as much as possible. I know this can be difficult for a High Schooler - there's so much you have to do and so much you want to do - but it'll give you more endurance and a clearer head for the next day. And, yes, get yourself some support from home and from your teachers. Try not to let yourself feel embarrassed that your principle and teachers will know about your RA. There's no shame in having what we have.

Hang in there!
JestersBaubles
JestersBaubles
Fatigue has been one of my biggest issues. At my last appt, my rheumatologist said, "Get more sleep. At least 7 hours a night.". I now get 7-7.5 and it has made a difference (I was getting 6.5 - 7).

Also, the physician's assistant who does my annual physical suggested Enzyme Co-Q10 for the fatigue. I am taking that, and think it might be helping too.
annettearizona
annettearizona
I was so sickly in school and caught things so easily that they set my high school schedule to only have three classes a day!!
GinDawg27
GinDawg27
Thanks for all the suggestions! :) I have a 504 plan set up with my school so if I don't feel well I have a lot more leeway for getting homework done, testing etc. Lately I've been so tired from the first week that I've been going to be at around 8 PM so I can get a full 10 hours of sleep. That has definitely helped a lot. Hopefully the fatigue will get better with routine and meds, I'll keep you all updated! :)