Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Fatigue - how bad can be blamed on AS

Hi all
I am in a flare. More or less constant from months before christmas. OK forgetting the pain - how much fatigue can I blame on AS? I do 1 hrs work and need 4 hrs sleep. I honestly need at least two to three 4 hour sleeps per DAY and thats in addition to night sleep. Its terrible as I have a lot to do and care for 3 kids and my dad. Obviously not very well these days.

Does that sound 'normal' for a flare? I am starting tnf injections this week.

Fatigue was/is my biggest problem. It can be severe. TNFa's will help. Best wishes

Oh its nice to hear the TNF antigen treatment will help. I dearly hope so x

Hi, AngH:



Well, approximately 100% (that is a SWAG number).

When I got rid of my AS, the severe, crushing fatigue was also eliminated.

Flares should not be allowed to last more than about two weeks--but during my most AS-abusive years I was probably in big time flare for months at a time. Regret the drugs that made me less aware of this fact.

Hopefully, the biologic agents will help You, and not allow disease progression.

HEALTH,
John

Fatigue from AS is common and not something you can easily ignore. You can wake up from sleep feeling exhausted, it's difficutlt to explain to people who have never experienced it.

I have a lot of morning stiffnes too.

Hi AngH fatigue is what got me to a rheumy in the first place. The fatigue let up considerably when i started using humeria. I also started using low dose naltrexone about 6 months ago and that has helped quite a bit too. Mike

Fatigue was definitely one of my main symptoms; I was so tired all the time that I didn't realize just how tired until I saw the improvement, first with methylprednisone, then with humira. the difference is remarkable. i hope the same for you

Sue, what is your stance on LDN?

I currently take LDN along with the Humira.

I started LDN sept 2009 and then Humira june 2013, and my rheumy allowed me to stay on the LDN because:

the one thing LDN helped me with tremendously was (and is?) the enthesitis.

I can't say that LDN helped with any of my other symptoms, but I went from tearing tendons and ligaments to not doing so when I started LDN. and my tnedonitises in general also got a lot better.

but the other symptoms, not sure LDN touched them. However others have found that LDN works well for all their symptoms.

and no negative side effects to LDN and maybe even some positive side effects: I think the LDN helps keep my immune system healthier while on the Humira.

ever since starting LDN, when I get sick, I barely get sick (talking here about head colds).

When inflammation is high, fatigue is big issue.

Tim