With expert tips, tools, real life stories and even a poem, it's our special section all about overcoming debilitating tiredness
Welcome
Welcome to the Tackle Tiredness Today! Wellness Kit on Arthur’s Place. You’ve been telling us that arthritis-related tiredness is one of the most debilitating factors of your condition, so we’ve put together this kit of information, advice and tools to help.
We asked four experts for their advice and support on how best to manage it. They include an occupational therapist, a specialist physiotherapist, a nutritionist and a rheumatology nurse specialist. All have responded with your particular lifestyle in mind; tiredness in your twenties and thirties, when many of you are dealing with demanding jobs or studies, busy social lives and potentially young children.
We have also gathered real-life stories, to share first-hand what it feels like to have arthritis and struggle with tiredness. We are sure you will recognise much of what they say, and we hope their stories help you feel less alone. Don’t forget, you can also join our private Facebook group, Arthur’s Place Social, for more support.
What is tiredness?
Tiredness will be felt differently by each person. For some it will feel like being generally sluggish and under par all of the time. For others it will feel like a crushing and debilitating exhaustion that comes on with a flare-up, after a bout of activity, a busy period or even for no apparent reason at all.
What causes tiredness?
There are a number of causes of tiredness in people with arthritis:
- When the disease is active it involves a huge amount of cell activity within the body that may affect multiple systems and cause physical fatigue.
- Some medications can also cause fatigue as a side-effect.
- Tiredness might also be due to doing too much, which can drain energy levels and lead to burn outs.
- It can even be caused by doing too little, which can weaken the muscles gradually and make activity feel harder to do and more tiring.
- The worry and pressure that many people feel when living with a chronic disease can also cause emotional fatigue.
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.
Expert tips
Tiredness tips from an Occupational Therapist
From pacing to talking in “spoons”, OT Charlie Laver shares her tips for easing tiredness
Tiredness tips from a Physiotherapist
It’s all about the three P’s, and you can start today
Tiredness tips from a Rheumatology Nurse
A Rheumatology Nurse shares his top tips for beating fatigue
Tiredness tips from a Nutritionist
Nutrition Scientist Eleana Papadopoulou shows how to eat your way to more energy
Real Life Stories
My experience: “I get frustrated at missing out”
Collette shares her experience of arthritis-related tiredness
My experience: “Pain is incredibly tiring”
Kat shares her experience of arthritis-related tiredness
My experience: “If it’s mild, I do a spin class”
Emma shares her experience of arthritis-related tiredness
My experience: “I feel guilty, lazy and lonely”
Jaye shares her experience of arthritis-related tiredness
Useful Apps
Sleep Cycle
If you struggle to get out of bed in the morning, this could be one for you. It promises to make waking up easy! The app analyses your sleep and wakes you in your lightest sleep phase, which apparently makes you get up feeling rested and relaxed. It also generates detailed sleep statistics and sleep graphs so that you can track your sleeping patterns over time. It will also link to Apple Health (see fitness section above) so that you can add sleep information to your health record.
Get the app for iPhone or iPad (Free with in-app purchases)
Get the app for Android (£0.99)
TMSOFT White Noise
Many of us have trouble sleeping – this could help. It features ambient sounds of the environment to help you relax during the day and sleep well at night. You can also download versions for Mac and Windows computers.
Get the app for iPhone or iPad (Free – paid version also available)
Get the app for Android (Free – paid version also available)
Helpful articles
Conquering tiredness and fatigue takes more than just resting and waiting until your reserve tank is back up to full.
It needs a combination of pacing, rest and doing things that lift your spirits in the company of others.
Why walking can be a game-changer for your body
It’s no surprise that walking is good for you if you have arthritis, but did you know in just how many ways?
How to keep up with the kids
With our expert energy-saving tricks you can have kids and keep up with them too!
How to spot a good friend
Brilliant friends are a godsend if you have arthritis. Here are the tell-tale signs that your friends are awesome
