Hi Naomi - I feel so sad that you're feeling so exhausted - that's a heck of a lot of resting and should be ample to refresh you. Are you still sleeping OK at night? - I always think that a good pattern of nightime sleep is essential and daytime naps should just be a top up. What have the nurses said about being anaemc? Your lymphocytes are not low enough to trigger an alarm unless they are lower than what is normal for you. Mine are always around 1.1 and at first the nurses were bothered and kept ringing me, but now they see that it's just usual for my body and we all just ignore it - so if yours is normally around 1.7 then that won't trigger any action unless of course you talk to the helpline.

And of course you might be feeling the after effects of your trip? No matter how careful you were to rest and relax etc, it's bound to have taken a lot of spoons - maybe you're having to pay them back now . And there's also the emotional cost - I always find that after an especially lively event then there's a bit of a reaction afterwards and I feel low, which of course increases tiredness.

Anyway, I do hope today is bettr for you. Love and Hugs - Sylvia xx

Hi, and thanks Jenni and Sylvia. I sleep all night very soundly as well as my naps. I had sleep hygiene training from my counsellor and I don't think it applies here or I would have trouble sleeping at night. I know something is up with me beyond the RA. It could be to do with jet lag as I crossed 12 time zones and this should take 12 days to recover apparently. Gosh Sylvia, that is a very low lymphocite reading.........but as you said it's normal for you. !.7 is quite low for me and I noticed that other blood work was also abnormal for me....e.g. rising ALT and AST, rising neutrophils and platelets and WBC. I have had a cold that I just can't seem to shake off (over 6 weeks) and am very sweaty and often drenched from it. I'm going to try to get my latest blood results from a week ago to see if things are any better. At least i will be forewarned for the rheumie appointment in 2 weeks. Thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions...they really are appreciated. Naomi, XXXX

Hi Naomi,
Sorry you are feeling so crap and tired all the time.
I'm just wondering if you have seen the doc. about your prolonged cold and sweating etc.
When I started on mtx inj. the nurse told me that sometimes I should see my Gp with colds, viruses as well as infections if concerned.
It may be just that you could have an infection without realising it and need a rest from the drugs to recover and fight the bugs.
I'm probably totally wrong but may be worth asking.
Hope you feel better soon, Zena x