Kat shares her experience of arthritis-related tiredness, as part of our Tackle Tiredness Today! campaign
I feel tired…
In the morning when I wake up and realize that my joints have flared overnight. The knowledge that the day ahead will involve working around the flare makes me dread the day. I also feel incredibly tired while sitting in doctors’ waiting rooms, long after my appointment time! The administration of my disease is as tiring as the pain itself.
Tiredness feels like…
Tiredness feels like frustration. Emotionally, it’s a sense that the cycle of pain will never end. Physically, tiredness is the feeling that there are many things that I still want to do, but that I am simply physically incapable of. Pain is incredibly tiring.
When I feel tired I want to…
Feel anything but tired! I fight off fatigue for as long as I can, sometimes pushing myself to keep on moving when I really should be resting (I am told this is called “denial”). Like most people, I’d really love to just curl up on the couch and watch . . . Scandal, but I’m also acutely aware that staying mobile and active is key to managing my disease.
The worst thing about being tired is…
The sense that the world is passing me by. I always want to be out and about living my life, and hate that my disease compromises my ability to do so. It also affects my loved ones’ schedules-plans constantly change depending on what I can and can’t do.
Being tired all the time makes me feel…
Like I’m much older than 33. And that when it’s time for me to have kids, I might be less of a parent as a result of having RA.
Things I do to help me feel less tired are…
Exercising regularly, sticking to a routine, eating well and getting things done timely (or early) so that nothing is left to the last minute. When you have RA, you can’t assume you’ll have the luxury of a “last minute” to get things done. Disease management can unexpectedly take over. I’m not very good at “resting” or asking for help, but am blessed with a wonderful husband who can sense when I need his help. He just jumps in and takes over, or tells me that it’s ok to rest.
Tackle Tiredness Today:
If you feel tired all of the time…
Tell your GP or your rheumatologist or nurse. You do not have to cope with your tiredness alone. There may be simple changes to your lifestyle or treatment plan that could help.
