Flares, fatigue and pain in rheumatoid arthritis
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- Опубликовано: 14 авг 2019
- Dr. Susan Bartlett talks about #flares, #fatigue and pain in rheumatoid #arthritis. Flares are often brought on by stress, so listen to your body at these times. Fatigue in RA is an exhaustion that does not go away with rest or sleep. She provides some ways to deal with pain, and encourages patients to let their doctor know about their pain.
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Not easy only those going through this condition will know really what this is.
I am always tired. Very frustrating.
Seeing how being "tired" is a common symptom for RA patients, I'm surprised it isn't used in measures of disease activity, like DAS28. Also, loads of RA patients have inflammation in their feet, but that is also ignored on DAS28. For some, being chronically tired might be worse in terms of getting through their daily lives, than a certain amount of inflammation. Both are obviously nothing anyone wants.
I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired . I can't do anything ; I can't push the lawn mower , I hold a hammer. I can't carry the groceries. I'm a hindrance to my family. I can only sleep a short time because of pain but I'm tired all the time. I don't want to go on. I'm the one thing I never wanted to be, A Burden. I wish someone would do for me, the one thing I can't do not the courage to do.
It totally sucks. Depending on where you live, the drugs that are most effective against RA (like biologics) are insanely expensive, but there are other less-expensive drugs that can make a difference. I don't know anything about your situation, and if you have affordable healthcare and medications available to you or not, but good RA doctors can help a lot, and a good doctor (they aren't all good, unfortunately) will consider your circumstances and work with you to help you improve your condition. The faster you can get RA under control, the less damage it will do to your joints, that medicine can't undo. Good luck.
Once you're on the correct medication for 'you' you'll feel much better. I thought my life was over last year. I was in constant agony. My elderly mother had to push me in a wheelchair to the rheumatologist at the hospital. Immediately I was put on high dosage of steroids and methotrexate. It worked initially and gave me my life back. At the moment I'm suffering a flare up and waiting to go on biologics. My father has the same illness and he's taking biologics. He's in the best shape ever. There's hope for us 🤞🙏
@@tinacox2989 I've been on a biologic for 18 years, and it is a miracle. Lately it seems like it has been less effective (although the reason could be something else... still investigating). The doctor told me that the average time before "escape" of my particular biologic is 2.5 years, so at 18 years (and still on it), I should feel blessed. But when I think of the cost of the drug for that period of time (some are $5000/month or more) it's so conflicting.
Hi Joseph - It can be really challenging to find a treatment plan that works for you. I hope you've found a path forward with your rheumatologist so you can do the things you want to do.
The fatigue is horrible
Unless you have RA , you can understand this kind of fatigue. It feel similar to the kind of fatigue that you have with the flu. It's way beyond being tired.
Do Rheumatologists ever prescribe medications such as anti-anxiety drugs or sleep medications to help RA patients with stress, fatigue and tiredness? If those things cause flares and increased inflammation, could trying to deal with those symptoms end up reducing the disease activity of the RA itself?
Hi Karl - This is an interesting question. I recommend you speak with your rheumatologist or another physician to get answers to this question. Best of luck.
Dad to 4 two have disabilities . So I don't get the rest relax slow down .so I deal with it daily meds pain meds and keep going till I drop at night then lucky if I get good sleep .pain all the time on dep meds and other shit and my mum just died this is s brutal time but I'm stoic as hell so I get up get on tunes and just knuckle down .I'm s cleaning wizard the house gets blitzd daily but I'm suffering and have been s long time .there is no easy way u just do .
Unless someone has this disease they’ll never know . I have ankylosing spondylitis
The pain i can handle but the fatigue is just too much i dont live a normal life because im just so tired i cant be bothered with anyone or anything its hell
I'm so sorry to hear this. The fatigue can have a tremendous impact on people.
Doctors are busy and they see lots of patients. Their job isn't to empathise with patients about their pain (they can do it, but if an appointment is 100% empathy and 0% treatment, that's silly). So I think patients need to learn to use objective tools to efficiently communicate (quantitatively) their pain and symptoms to their doctor. By providing more objective, if not more precise information, the doctor is given her best chance to provide treatment that will best fit the patient's needs.
I always just thought I was Lazy, Hypochondriac and a Addict bc I had to take many meds that never helped.
Story of my life. Even my ex wife accused me of it. So glad I'm away from her
Hi Lea - I'm sorry to hear about your experiences. I hope this video has helped you understand how fatigue and pain are common challenges and symptoms in RA.
We RA patients used to be told not to ignore pain, now it's a method in dealing with it.sheesh
Thank you for sharing, Barbara. I'm sorry to hear your pain has not be taken seriously.
Video is unhelpful.
I found it was very helpful in knowing that people understand the difficulties
in having this condition.
It was comforting.