http://arthritis.about.com/od/rheumatoidarthritis/Rheumatoid_Arthritis_Cause_Diagnosis_Symptoms_Treatment.htm


This web site has lots of great information. Fatigue is a huge part of RA along with lots of other things.

depressing, but useful! thanks Charlie.

Achymom,
Have you had your iron levels checked? I have been dealing with low iron for about a year now--but getting better with supplements. Hope that you find out what the problem is!!

Becky

Sorry to say but the mtx has a lot to do with your tiredness. I took it for a while and felt like a zombie. Try taking it at night?

For one thing, autoimmune diseases make you tired. Practically all of them.

Mthx is another probable cause. It seems to make people either tired or hyper. In my case it gave me tones of energy. I really miss it. Sigh!

thanks all - Becky, my iron historically has been low, but seems ok now. Maybe the MTX (was 48 hrs after the shot) and I'm not eating enough (just not that hungry anymore) - or maybe chasing my 3 boys around! I perked up a bit after a good lunch -- just need to remember to keep eating.

My energy levels were low like that when I first started taking MTX. I read on a web site that low folic acid levels can affect your fatigue when taking MTX. I called my rheumy right away because I was really having trouble staying awake and scared to drive. She agreed with what I had read and increased my folic acid amount to take daily and I have been fine since. Not sure if this will work for you, but it is a very simple fix and something that you could talk to your rheumy about also. Good luck!!

I was exhausted when I first got sick with RA, and I found that taking a 15 minute nap in my car at my lunch break was a big help. Sometime I still just shut my office door, put my head down, and close my eyes for ten minutes or so. Giving in to it, even briefly, helps me get through the day.

My RD has been trying to pass off my fatigue complaint off as anything but RA related.
First he had my GP change my BP Med. No change.
He started talking you should have a sleep study done- probably have sleep apnea. I say- look- I snore a little-everyone does. I do not wake up gasping or choking or anything like that.
Well you don't have to do that to have sleep apnea but do you notice it's worse after you take your MTX?
Well I say yeah- it's more pronounced the day of and day after but it's always and it started with RA.
Well he says- your blood work is so good for 2 years lets do an experiment.
Go off of your MTX for 2 weeks and call me in 2 1/2.
Well Wed. was week 2 I didn't take my MTX. Still tired and starting to feel increased pain, stiffness and see a little swelling.

I'm allergic to MTX so I don't know if it is the cause or not. RA def can be the cause because when I 1st found out I had RA, I slept all the time because I wasn't getting enough rest at night due to the pain. I still struggle with that sometimes but my RD gave me Ambien and I take it nightly so I can get a good night's rest. Also, RA patients usually run low on other vitamins like B12, D and other area's. That can make you tired too. Be sure to take a good multivitamin and if your D levels are low talk to your RD. I was on prescription Vit D but found an over the counter that works better - Tri Boron Plus - it has other nutrients to help me absorb the D!

I know when I flare the tiredness gets worse. Good luck and I hope you get to feeling better!

I too get very tired. Diag with psoriactic Arth treated like RA on mex. I get through the work week and just flat out one day on the weekend. I take my mx on thurs nights. Go to the gym, walk to work etc.. just trying to keep moving.

I htink its a combo of both RA nad RX