Any parent knows parenting is hard and exhausting. Fatigue makes me feel like a bad mother. I struggle at night to even have the energy to read to my 5-year-old son. The guilt is often unbearable, but he still loves me and has shown incredible empathy at such a young age.
My love for my child moves me a little faster than my usual arthritic speed on many days. I recognize how difficult that is through chronic illness. Eileen Davidson is a Vancouver-based invisible illness advocate and an ambassador with the Arthritis Society.
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Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Share on Pinterest. If you answer "Yes this may be one cause of your fatigue. It's natural to want to keep up with your regular activities.
But with your arthritis, this may not always be possible. Some people don't want others to know they have arthritis. They push themselves to do the same things, at the same pace, that people without arthritis do. This usually results in having to pay for it" later. Features of the environment your surroundings may add to your fatigue. Loud noises and warmer temperatures may be tiring. For the person with arthritis uncomfortable furniture lots of stairs and long waits may be very tiring.
Think back to the last time you were fatigued. In the following list note the things you think add to your fatigue. What adds to your fatigue? At what time of day does your fatigue start? What helps decrease your fatigue? Listen to your body's signals telling you it needs to rest. Learn to pace yourself so you won't become too tired. Getting a good night's sleep restores your energy and helps you cope with pain. It also gives your joints a chance to rest. Only you know how much sleep your body needs.
Get into the habit of listening to your body. For example if you feel tired after lunch every day take a rest break or brief nap. This "power nap" is becoming more accepted in the general business community. It could be all you need to restore your energy and lift your spirits. Follow an exercise program designed by your doctor or physical therapist.
The right type and right amount of exercise helps keep your muscles strong bones healthy and joints usable. A good exercise program also helps you keep or restore joint flexibility.
Exercise can improve your sense of well-being and may result in overall increased energy. Keep in mind that when you first start exercising your heart will beat faster you'll breathe faster and your muscles may feel tense. You may feel more tired at night but awake feeling refreshed in the morning. These are normal reactions to exercise that mean your body is adapting and getting into shape. You'll know you've done too much if you have joint or muscle pain that continues for more than two hours after exercising or if your pain or fatigue is worse the next day.
Next time decrease the number of times you do each exercise or do them more gently. If this doesn't help ask your physical therapist about changing the exercise. Fatigue may be a sign of increased disease activity or inflammation.
Make sure you follow the treatment plan you and your health care provider have designed. Don't skip medications on days you feel good. This can backfire and lead to increased symptoms. Report any increasing fatigue or changes in general health to your health care provider so appropriate measures can be taken. Ask for help when you need it! Family friends and co-workers would rather help you than have you overextend yourself trigger a flare and be confined to bed. Below are some people who can help you manage your fatigue.
These include your doctor and nurse. They also may include an occupational therapist a physical therapist a social worker and a psychologist. Show your fatigue management plan to members of the team. They may be able to refer you to other resources. Sharing your feelings with a group can help you cope with arthritis.
Support groups can help you feel understood and can give you new ideas to help cope with problems. People who attend groups often comment "It's nice to know I'm not alone.
Listening to others and helping them helps me feel better. Some groups focus on specific topics. Others focus on the special concerns of the group members. Contact your local Arthritis Foundation chapter or ask your health care provider about local groups for people with arthritis. Sometimes you can better help yourself with the help of others like you. Any major change in your life such as an illness or continual problems such as fatigue or pain may make you feel depressed angry helpless or even hopeless.
Some people feel so bad that they cannot sleep or eat. If you cannot get yourself going therapy or counseling may help you get through these problems. Some people are afraid to admit they need help. They believe others will think they are crazy if they talk to someone about their problems. It's smart to get help when you're forced to live with a difficult problem such as chronic pain and fatigue.
If you are having symptoms of depression--poor sleep change in appetite crying sad thoughts--be sure to talk with your health care provider. You can better cope with fatigue by pacing yourself listening to your body's signals asking for assistance making back-up plans and working in partnership with your health care providers. If the first methods you try do not work try other methods.
The most effective way to manage fatigue may be to use a combination of these methods:. Asking questions and finding out as much as you can about your type of arthritis and its treatment is important. Talk over your concerns with your health care provider. If you still need more information for if you have difficulty talking to your doctors ask the nurse physical therapist occupational therapist doctor or social worker to help you find answers to your questions.
Some of this material may also be available in an Arthritis Foundation brochure. Adapted from the pamphlet originally prepared for the Arthritis Foundation. Edited by Frederick A. Matsen III M. This material is protected by copyright. You are here Home Fatigue. Overview This information is for people who have fatigue due to any type of arthritis and for their families and friends. If chronic pain and fatigue make you want to stay in bed a lot of the time, you may have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.
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