Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group sooo tired

hello fellow AS'ers! I joined about two years ago but i haven't posted for about a year :-( I went back to work full time almost a year ago after taking 1 year off. I am starting to get to the exhaustion point now though, where i just can't get enough sleep. I work full time and have a five year old child at home. Any advice for making my life work without having to quit my job? I feel very frustrated, I am only 29 and i enjoy my job and want to continue living a "normal" life, but i can't function being this exhausted either.
thanks for listening!

Hi Lisa

sorry to hear you are so tired it is hard to think straight when you are exhausted. Working, being a mum it is alot to manage - is there anyone who can help give you a bit of a break so that you can at least get some sleep. It may be easier to evaluate your life if you at least have a bit of time for yourself or some sleep.

wishing you well

Kylie

Hi, gambit:

That run-down feeling is very common in AS, and I think that it has plenty to do with the inflammatory process.

There are some free-form amino acids that can reduce fatigue, and some other things that have otherwise helped very much with this specific issue--the apple regimen, for example. I hope that you will post in the NSD Forum, if you are interested in more detailed information.

Regards,
John

thanks for replying! I follow the nsd religiously, that's probably why i am so frustrated, i feel like I am doing everything "right". as someone said in an earlier post "I Hate This Disease" Generally i do pretty good with my AS. I have been off all meds for almost 9 months(was on methotrexate & lots others) for so long i have been living in relatively good health and then BANG, i am back to a full flare. WHen it Does get like this i go two ways 1. where i am extremely thankful the disease doesn't affect like this ALL of the time or 2. Hating the disease and feeling like i can't cope. again thanks for listening!

Lisa
Without knowing you, I guess my only question would be, How good is your Rheumy. Is he one who takes his/her time with you and really listens? I hope you have brought this to your docs attention. It is a very common problem with AS, inflammation flare and fatigue. The never ending battle. Many here are taking meds like Embrel, Remmicade and such and sometimes they get some of their energy back with these meds. Also, not many docs use vitamin B12 shots anymore, but for some they really help. I had one a month for about 2 years and they really helped. The doc that used to give them to me retired and I stopped seeing his practice. I'm thinking about asking my GP if he will start them back up again. Taking oral B12 is not the same, it has to be an injection. If all else fails, find a good health food store, a reputable one, and talk to the people there.
Hope you find some answers. If you do let us know as we are always looking for ways to fight the old fatigue beast.
Cindy

Hi Gambit,

I would think you would be tired with a full time job and a 5 year old regardless of if you have AS or not.

WHat does your Dr. say or can you make an appt. and talk with him about it..

WHat meds are you on to try and combat the AS?

Lisa

That was me.. I hate this disease..
It's been giving me a lot of hell lately...
I've been exhausted too.. and I only work 20 hours a week, and have two classes a week. Feels like all I want to do is sleep.. But, somehow, I only manage a few hours a night due to pain..
I feel for you. Good luck.
PS, B12 injections sound like a great idea.. I didn't even think of it.. I'm going to call my GP on monday and ask about it.

Hi there, it's always good to hear when a KAer has got a life again. But I am sorry to hear you're feeling run down. Lisa made a good point - working full time and a five year old - you'd be feeling tired even if you didn't have AS.

I know you follow the NSD (kudos to you) and B12 injections have been suggested; however, I would also suggest a physical that includes an iron test. Auto-immune based iron deficiency is quite common - either your body doesn't absorb iron properly or it doesn't utilize it properly. Anyway, low iron can also cause fatigue and is worth looking into.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Hugs,

hi!
thanks for the ideas!
i went to my gp today and he took order a bunch of tests inclding anemia. they took 10 vials of blood so surely something will show up
i will keep u posted!
thanks again!
lisa

hi everyone!
thanks for all the good advice! sooo I got all my results back and it turns out that I am pregnant...woo hoo! also though some bloodwork came back with a positive ANA with a speckled pattern, anybody know what that may mean(besides lupus) my GP really didn't have any idea, he just sent me for more bloodwork. thanks for all the support
gambit