Yesterday was an extremely tough day for me. It started out fine, with a trip to the hospital for some blood-work and an ultrasound. On the way back home the overwhelming sense of I can't go on any further" just hit me. I became so exhausted. It was difficult to breathe.
I got home, and all I had energy to do was crawl into bed. However, I tried really hard to stay active as "I had so much to do." I managed to fix something to eat, while thinking about writing this very blog. I didn't have the energy to do that. I wanted to work on a painting, but I didn't have the energy to even lift the paint brush. So.....I gave in to rest. I put on a movie to help beat the silence and quiet the tinnitus in my head. I grabbed my iPad and started to do some reading. If I had to be in bed, and couldn't sleep, I could at least read.
This kind of fatigue does not hit me often. It's the kind where I have no energy. I'm not being lazy. I just feel drained. I guess that's what lupus and chronic illness does to you.
From what I understand, as many as 80 percent of people with lupus experience fatigue. For some people with lupus, fatigue is their main symptom and can be debilitating, even to the point of forcing them to stop working. It is unclear why extreme fatigue occurs in so many people with lupus, but disease activity, pain, age, and medicines being taken, as well as poor physical and mental health and lack of good social support, all appear to play a role.
For me, maybe it was my martial arts class the night before. I made it through, because I knew today I probably wouldn't be able to take class due to it being "fusion day," as I call it. You see, my iron has plummeted again, and I will be back sitting in the hematologist's chair as they pump a cocktail of iron-rich "stuff" into my body. ....but maybe the fatigue is from all the excessive bleeding I've been doing. The gynecologist suggests an ablation since the hysterectomy is out of the question due to my health concerns, plus the fact that I flat-lined during the last surgery.
Ok...so I have been diagnosed with a few anemia types.....iron-deficiency anemia, pernicious anemia.....I also have vitamin D deficiency....folic acid deficiency. I'm getting a biopsy on the stomach and small intestine soon to see what's going on.
Whatever the reason, fatigue was a b***h yesterday.
My secret for dealing with normal fatigue is essential oils and my power smoothies, (I'll post on that soon), ....but this was a powerful kind of fatigue. I'm glad I'll be seeing the hematologist today, as the fusion will help. It did the last time...at least for a month and a half. Maybe when I get home today I will be a whole new person.
If you suffer from fatigue that you just can't seem to get past, please be sure to see your doctor. The following issues will add to the fatigue, so be sure that you are in touch with your doctor regarding them, to minimize the effect on your level of exhaustion.
*Stress
*Depression and Anxiety
*Thyroid problems...make sure your doctor has checked these at least once. a year. 3-4 times a year if you are on thyroid medications.
*Anemia (This is common with Lupus)
*Sleep Apnea
*Pulmonary fibrosis
*Low vitamin d levels
*COPD
*Congestive heart failure
*Chronic pain
*Other concurrent conditions (Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, MS, etc.)
Ok....rant over. Yes, this for me was a rant. I don't frequently complain of what I go trough daily, but being this tired......OMG...it was the worst!
Do you have any secrets for combating fatigue? Feel free to share them with me in the comments below....or just add your own rant. That's fine, too.
Before I leave, may I suggest watching this video:
It contains great tips for overcoming fatigue.
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