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Date: 23.10.2012
From: Jeanette

Subject: Fatigue

Hi everyone. I am really suffering with fatigue big style at the moment. I am on 20mg MTX and 5mg folic acid. My last flare was end of September,it only lasted 2 days but since then I have felt really awful, especially the last 10 days. I feel like the energy is being sucked out of me. I sleep ok but have sore eyes, no discharge. I am lucky since being on mtx have had only the occasional flare break through, I do get twinges in places where I have had a flare but nothing troublesome at all. What can it be, the only thing I have noticed is my MCV results are going higher, the last result was 103 but hgb seems ok. Jeanette
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Date: 23.10.2012
From: rhona

Subject: Re: Fatigue

Hi Jeanette, I also suffer from extreme fatigue, unfortunately that is part of the R/A. I also get random pains as well as painful joints, i think this disease can really affect any part of the body. I'm not too sure about MCV results, i had a quick look online and don't think thats too high but might be worthwhile increasing the folic acid, some people take it 6 days but not the same day as mtx, it can help with the side effects of mtx. If your eyes continue to be sore i would get them checked out, you can't be too careful. take care x
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Date: 23.10.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Fatigue

Hi Jeanette, Maybe have a word with your rheumy? Could be you are still in a flare,fatigue being a big part of it all or maybe you've got a touch of the nasty virus that is going around....? I've just had it and felt dreadful for over a week. Hope you feel a bit better soon.
xx
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Date: 23.10.2012
From: Jeanette

Subject: Re: Fatigue

Thanks Rhona. Yes I am on folic acid 6 days a week. This tiredness is not the normal tiredness I experience.

Thanks bsk I did have 2 colds one on top of the other followed by the flare. Not sure if I am still in "flare" no symptons except normal twinges. I just feel dreadful, even my brother and sister in law who came to visit said "you've gone skinny and look really tired". I have been searching fatigue, RA and MTX and sadly looks like it is a common problem. Many thanks for the advice Rhona and bsk
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Date: 23.10.2012
From: rhona

Subject: Re: Fatigue

You are right Jeanette, it is not a normal tiredness, when it's at it's worst i feel i don't have the strength to even lift my arms and it's not the type of tiredness that sleep cures. It could be that you are in a flare, when i was really bad last year i lost over a stone in weight, i have put some if it back on now, but i remember my family telling me the same. It can be quite common to lose weight when the disease is active. x
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Date: 26.10.2012
From: Emm

Subject: Re: Fatigue

Hi girls, I identify with a lot of these comments. It seems we just have to wait for a good spell of better health to come to us. I try to think of ways to help myself when I am fatigued or in a flare up, but it all seems to take time .
It is a very cruel disease.
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Date: 26.10.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Fatigue

You can say that again Emm. Good philosophy you have though.
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Date: 26.10.2012
From: marlene

Subject: Re: Fatigue

I also am so tired because of pain I fell asleep just after midnight woke at 6 fell back to sleep and woke at 9:45. Then I was ready for bed again at two o'clock. Now I just can't sleep. Its no joke!!!!!
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Date: 27.10.2012
From: Jeanette

Subject: Re: Fatigue

Hi again. Well the fatigue got really bad so I decided to look after myself, and just sleep. Hubby said don't do anything so I took him at his word lol. I felt bettter on Thursday, eyes no longer hurting and a bit more myself. Then last night wiped out again some pains in leg and knee and I thought oh oh, fell asleep on settee exhausted and have woken up with my third cold in a month. I have just recently had the flu and pneumonia jab so don't know if that has anything to do with it. I think I need to boost my immune system but should I as the whole point of being on methotrexate is to suppress the immune system. What to do lol. So sorry to hear about all suffering with this fatigue, and folks don't understand the fatigue that is the hardest part isn't it x
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Date: 28.10.2012
From: Deborah

Subject: Re: Fatigue

Hi Jeanette,
I too suffer from extreme fatigue and have done since last year,some day's are better than other's and other day's have to for force myself to move I know that my mtx was not working as well and have started on a bio-logic have had my second jab but still feel really tired all the time.I know it is still early day's yet.

It could be a sign that you need a higher dose of mtx I would talk to your rhumy team and see if they can help.

Also Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone and really understand how you feel.
It is soo hard to explain to your family + friend's just how tired you are as sometime's it is not visible.

The only way I manage is to look forward and hope there are better day's ahead.
Just take thing's as easy as you can.
Look after yourself Deborah.
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Date: 08.01.2013
From: Jeanette

Subject: Re: Fatigue

Hi just an update. I carried on in same state until I saw my Rhuemy consultant in December. Explained I had not felt at all well since last flare end of Sep and the fatigue was very bad, and having twinges. I had a steroid shot which has really helped with the fatigue, but he thinks the mtx is not working as well, which I am not sure of as have had only 3 flares since being on mtx, compared to the 10 I had before starting mtx, so is putting me on sulfa. I see my rheumy nurse on Monday to discuss it. Still not sure about adding it, as it is only twinging pain, and am worried about losing more weight as have lost about 10lbs since being on mtx.
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Date: 08.01.2013
From: rhona

Subject: Re: Fatigue

Hi Janette, Just to let you know that i also take sulphasalazine along with mtx and plaquenil and a biologic infusion. I have been taking sulphasalazine for 12 years now and had no problems with it, although i don't think they are as effective now. I also wanted to say that when you arthritis is active you can lose weight. I lost almost 1 and a half stone last year but have put almost a stone back on again since starting the biologic. Hope you soon feel better.

How are you Deborah? Is the new biologic helping? Take care xx
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