Re: Fatigue, energy, motivation

[Guest guest]

,

Wonderful links!

Sometime I feel very tired. This is what I would consider fatigue.

Other times, I don't feel tired, but I just don't feel like I have enough

energy.

And other times, I feel like I don't have any motivation. But I'm

definitely not feeling energetic either.

I can be in pain, but be motivated, and work in spite of the pain.

But the other 3 will stop me from doing things.

Does anyone relate to what I mean? Are these all fatigue or are they

different? I'm sooo confused!

Dix

[ ] Articles on fatigue

Hospital for Special Surgery

" Mastering the Impact of Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis " :

http://www.rheumatology.hss.edu/pat/eduPrograms/livingRA/fatigue_n_RA.asp

Arthritis Foundation

" Fatigue: When You Don't Feel Like Fighting " :

http://www.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/2002_archives/2002_05_06_Fatig\

ue_p2.asp

HealthTalk

" Living Well with RA: Managing Pain and Fatigue " :

http://www.healthtalk.com/rheumatoidarthritis/programs/111202/index.cfm

HealthTalk

" Rheumatoid Arthritis: Take Control of Pain and Fatigue "

http://www.healthtalk.com/rheumatoidarthritis/programs/012104/index.cfm

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[Guest guest]

I feel exactly what you are saying. One day I wasn't tired at all but I hurt

but I had so much energy I went outside and cut grass, washed down the house,

planted flowers. My family just stood almost in shock and staring. The only

thing that finally brought me in were the mosquitoes. Mostly, though, I just

don't feel like doing much. I have good intentions but unless I have to do

something, I just can't get motivated. I don't think it has anything to do with

depression. I think a lot of us just have this indescribable fatigue, different

forms at different times.

Becky

[ ] Articles on fatigue

Hospital for Special Surgery

" Mastering the Impact of Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis " :

http://www.rheumatology.hss.edu/pat/eduPrograms/livingRA/fatigue_n_RA.asp

Arthritis Foundation

" Fatigue: When You Don't Feel Like Fighting " :

http://www.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/2002_archives/2002_05_06_Fatig\

ue_p2.asp

HealthTalk

" Living Well with RA: Managing Pain and Fatigue " :

http://www.healthtalk.com/rheumatoidarthritis/programs/111202/index.cfm

HealthTalk

" Rheumatoid Arthritis: Take Control of Pain and Fatigue "

http://www.healthtalk.com/rheumatoidarthritis/programs/012104/index.cfm

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[Guest guest]

Dix,

I've had that happen too. Don't quite know what to say about them, but I have a

feeling they're all related to fatigue, because by nature I'm very active.

Every since I began to have joint problems, I've been experiencing everything

you just mentioned. It will be interesting to see what the other folks might

say too.

Jefersea

[ ] Articles on fatigue

Hospital for Special Surgery

" Mastering the Impact of Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis " :

http://www.rheumatology.hss.edu/pat/eduPrograms/livingRA/fatigue_n_RA.asp

Arthritis Foundation

" Fatigue: When You Don't Feel Like Fighting " :

http://www.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/2002_archives/2002_05_06_Fatig\

ue_p2.asp

HealthTalk

" Living Well with RA: Managing Pain and Fatigue " :

http://www.healthtalk.com/rheumatoidarthritis/programs/111202/index.cfm

HealthTalk

" Rheumatoid Arthritis: Take Control of Pain and Fatigue "

http://www.healthtalk.com/rheumatoidarthritis/programs/012104/index.cfm

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[Guest guest]

Do you find it hard to do exercizes daily like your doctor says?? I find it

extremely hard and tiring, I always fight with my mother about doing them and

going on the tredmill to, I hate it.

" Craig C. & /or Shirley S. " <quaxter@...> wrote:Dix,

I've had that happen too. Don't quite know what to say about them, but I have a

feeling they're all related to fatigue, because by nature I'm very active.

Every since I began to have joint problems, I've been experiencing everything

you just mentioned. It will be interesting to see what the other folks might

say too.

Jefersea

[ ] Articles on fatigue

Hospital for Special Surgery

" Mastering the Impact of Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis " :

http://www.rheumatology.hss.edu/pat/eduPrograms/livingRA/fatigue_n_RA.asp

Arthritis Foundation

" Fatigue: When You Don't Feel Like Fighting " :

http://www.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/2002_archives/2002_05_06_Fatig\

ue_p2.asp

HealthTalk

" Living Well with RA: Managing Pain and Fatigue " :

http://www.healthtalk.com/rheumatoidarthritis/programs/111202/index.cfm

HealthTalk

" Rheumatoid Arthritis: Take Control of Pain and Fatigue "

http://www.healthtalk.com/rheumatoidarthritis/programs/012104/index.cfm

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[Guest guest]

Shoot, there are days when putting dishes away is a major pain for this o' tired

body! But I do try to do light exercises when I can. Sometimes I can only do

them when I'm sitting on a well padded chair (to ease the pressure on my lower

back) and even then I become easily tired. But mobility is very important if

you are able to do it.

Jefersea

[ ] Articles on fatigue

Hospital for Special Surgery

" Mastering the Impact of Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis " :

http://www.rheumatology.hss.edu/pat/eduPrograms/livingRA/fatigue_n_RA.asp

Arthritis Foundation

" Fatigue: When You Don't Feel Like Fighting " :

http://www.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/2002_archives/2002_05_06_Fatig\

ue_p2.asp

HealthTalk

" Living Well with RA: Managing Pain and Fatigue " :

http://www.healthtalk.com/rheumatoidarthritis/programs/111202/index.cfm

HealthTalk

" Rheumatoid Arthritis: Take Control of Pain and Fatigue "

http://www.healthtalk.com/rheumatoidarthritis/programs/012104/index.cfm

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[Guest guest]

I bought several egg crate pillows - they're not expensive. I have one on

the chair by the computer, one on the chair where I eat, one in the car, one

where I sit to watch TV . . . .

I even take the one from the car into restaurants with me, or to friends and

relatives.

It really helps cushion your back so the pressure on the spine isn't as bad.

There are days when I sit on two of them!

Dix

[ ] Articles on fatigue

Hospital for Special Surgery

" Mastering the Impact of Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis " :

http://www.rheumatology.hss.edu/pat/eduPrograms/livingRA/fatigue_n_RA.asp

Arthritis Foundation

" Fatigue: When You Don't Feel Like Fighting " :

http://www.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/2002_archives/2002_05_06_Fatig\

ue_p2.asp

HealthTalk

" Living Well with RA: Managing Pain and Fatigue " :

http://www.healthtalk.com/rheumatoidarthritis/programs/111202/index.cfm

HealthTalk

" Rheumatoid Arthritis: Take Control of Pain and Fatigue "

http://www.healthtalk.com/rheumatoidarthritis/programs/012104/index.cfm

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[Guest guest]

,

One thing to consider is doing the right exercises. Does walking

hurt your feet? I ask because I cannot walk on a treadmill. I can

lift weights, some over 100 lbs., and I don't even weigh 100 lbs, I

can do the stair master, eliptical machine, swimming, roller

blading... all that but not walking or anything that involves

standing for a long time. Stretching exercises and yoga are also

great for RA. Maybe if you found some different exercises you would

be more motivated to do them. Do you do them at home or do you go to

a gym?

Jennie

Dix,

>

> I've had that happen too. Don't quite know what to say about them,

but I have a feeling they're all related to fatigue, because by

nature I'm very active. Every since I began to have joint problems,

I've been experiencing everything you just mentioned. It will be

interesting to see what the other folks might say too.

>

> Jefersea

> [ ] Articles on fatigue

>

>

> Hospital for Special Surgery

> " Mastering the Impact of Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis " :

>

http://www.rheumatology.hss.edu/pat/eduPrograms/livingRA/fatigue_n_RA.

asp

>

>

> Arthritis Foundation

> " Fatigue: When You Don't Feel Like Fighting " :

>

http://www.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/2002_archives/2002_0

5_06_Fatigue_p2.asp

>

>

> HealthTalk

> " Living Well with RA: Managing Pain and Fatigue " :

>

http://www.healthtalk.com/rheumatoidarthritis/programs/111202/index.cf

m

>

>

> HealthTalk

> " Rheumatoid Arthritis: Take Control of Pain and Fatigue "

>

http://www.healthtalk.com/rheumatoidarthritis/programs/012104/index.cf

m

>

>

>

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

>

> s Hopkins Medicine

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My Dr. told me that our bodies use available energy first to counteract any

pain that we're in. So if you aren't getting adequate meds, you won't have any

energy. He said to take extra meds if necessary. but to know that I'll have to

take fewer another day - one where I don't have a lot of physical activities, or

when the pain is better.

So I tried it for the past few weeks, and have been amazed! I thought I'd

get really sleepy. I think if I laid down on the bed, I might fall asleep, but

if I go out to the garden and start weeding, pruning shrubs, and so on,

especially on nice, sunny days, I feel energized!

And I sleep so much better at night!

Heat will make you tired too. So I plan to work in the shady areas of the

garden when it's hot, and I'll take a fan outside with me so at least I have a

cool breeze blowing my way.

I'm also learning to set smaller, more easily attainable goals. Rather than

say " I'm going to get the kitchen cleaned spotless " , I'll say " I'm going to get

the counter tops straighten up and thoroughly cleaned " . Having more manageable

tasks motivates me better because I know I'll see something accomplished, and

that makes me feel good.

Low energy and lack of motivation can also be part of depression, arthritis,

fibro, and other illnesses.

There's a mild anti-depressant called Provygyl which helps increase your

energy level. I took it for a while. It wasn't a miracle drug, but there was a

noticeable difference. When I was feeling very good, I stopped taking it.

I've heard that Celexa can also help with fatigue and low energy.

Dix

Re: [ ] Fatigue, energy, motivation

I feel exactly what you are saying. One day I wasn't tired at all but I hurt

but I had so much energy I went outside and cut grass, washed down the house,

planted flowers. My family just stood almost in shock and staring. The only

thing that finally brought me in were the mosquitoes. Mostly, though, I just

don't feel like doing much. I have good intentions but unless I have to do

something, I just can't get motivated. I don't think it has anything to do with

depression. I think a lot of us just have this indescribable fatigue, different

forms at different times.

Becky