Hi Elaine,
You come to the right place to have a moan. That's one of the prime benefits of this forum - the ability to let off steam to a group of people who completely understand where you're coming from.
The problem with fatigue is that it can come from so many places. First of all the disease itself will cause fatigue as your body fights the inflammation. Second, many of the medications that we are given for the disease will also cause fatigue. And if that's not bad enough, the disease can also cause anaemia, which will make you feel tired, as well as vitamin D deficiency which, guess what, will make you feel tired.
There's also a possibility that you are suffering from a degree of depression, the symptoms of which are very similar to the fatigue you are feeling. RA can be particularly troublesome in the morning. A lot of people report inability to get going, and if you are suffering from depression mornings can be particularly trying. They are for me.
So, there is a vast array of reasons why you might be feeling the way you're feeling. You need, at least, to talk to your GP. Blood tests for anaemia and vitamin D deficiency might be useful. And you can talk about the general state of your health, physical and mental.
The thing to bear in mind is that it does get better but it is also very different for each person and you have to work out the strategies that work for you. It sounds to me like starting with your GP would be appropriate; and follow-up with your Rheumy nurse (if you have had one allocated).
Paul Barrett
Hexham - Northumberland - Loads of spectacular walks - all I need now are the joints to go with them! :)
Enthesitis (2012)
Ulcerative Colitis (1990)
