Re: fatigue and confusion

April 13, 2002

Hi Gordon,

Well, I personally have a lot of fatigue and I don't take a lot of

pain killers, mostly cuz the side-effects are too awful: they knock

me out, make me sick, or they aggravate my severe acid reflux.

I've lately started with Vioxx, but had a rash after 3 weeks. So I'm

trying a lower dose again. One of my RA friends said she had a rash,

tried the Vioxx a second time and was ok the second time. I also have

to be careful about the acid reflux with this one. My stomach started

getting unhappy after about 1 week, but was less intense than other

NSAIDs.

And I do need SOMETHING for the pain.

I think the memory problems are linked to the fatigue. The human

brain does not operate very well if it doesn't get it's full night

sleep which includes all the sleep levels. But in addition it could

also be the pain killers, which do affect the nervous system. It sure

is complicated!

> Meghan,

>

> I am also experiencing fatigue even though the pain is under

control with pain killers. Is it the PA or the pain killers causing

this, or maybe a mixture of both ? What bothers me most at the

moment is I get periods of confusion. It sounds funny, but yesterday

I put a meal in the microwave oven to heat, but when I checked it a

few minutes later, the microwave oven was running without the meal in

it. I had in fact put the meal back into the refrigerator. I also

find myself standing in a room and not knowing for what purpose I am

there. This is a bit worrying.

>

> Regards, Gordon

>

April 13, 2002

in my own experience, when i was taking anti-inflammatories, i could barely

do anything all day - no energy whatsoever. i found it almost impossible to

read, to get work done, i was just like a zombie. almost as soon as i

stopped taking them - my energy levels were normal and i can use my brain

again. obviously - not taking meds is not an option for many people, and for

the time being i'm lucky i have the choice (or i'm making the choice). but

the power of the drugs it is a little scary. i personally feel like a totally

different person when i'm taking them.

my 2 cents, caroline

> I am also experiencing fatigue even though the pain is under control with

pain killers. Is it the PA or the pain killers causing this, or maybe a mixture

of both ? What bothers me most at the moment is I get periods of

confusion. ssage have been removed]

April 14, 2002

Gordon, Meghan, and everyone,

I am always fatigued... constantly... I can do things because I think I am just

psyching myself into doing them... I love socializing, but since diagnosed with

PA at least 9 years ago... for at least the past 3 years I am definitely

chronically fatigued... I don't have fibromyalgia... only P and PA. I also

don't take any pain medications... I am taking MTX by injection (12.5 mgs) once

a week.... but, I was chronically tired even when I wasn't on MTX or anything.

So, the point I am making is that it is my opinion that just having PA is enough

to cause chronic fatigue... and I suppose having anything else would only make

it worse. I can get out and do things non-stop... but I always feel I am making

a huge effort to push myself... I also know I will pay dearly for it later. I

would love to just sleep my life away... I could very easily... but have 4

wonderful kids and have to keep on pushing along. From reading all these

postings I feel that most of us have some, if not a lot, of chronic fatigue. I

hear individuals relating it to particular medications, but I feel it is part of

PA.... not to say the medications are not also a major contributor... but it

comes along with our common 'bond' that we share with one another on this

wonderful site... )

Also, I really would love some feedback on suggestions for pain ... I do not

tolerate pain medications very well at all... products with codeine work, but

make me feel so miserable and sick the next day, usually with a dull, achey

headache and nausea the following day. With so many of us taking pain

medications regularly... can anyone give me some suggestions of pain meds. that

would have fewer side effects... of nausea, etc.

Someone had asked me about the name of a particular splint that would support

the thumb... I still have to go through some of my information and books...

haven't done much with being an Occupational Therapist lately... just the

occasional volunteering at a local school for the handicapped. I am so busy

being my own patient...) But, I will write later with more information.

I hope everyone is doing well, good wishes to all of you.

#2

gordon eliott <geliott@...> wrote: Meghan,

I am also experiencing fatigue even though the pain is under control with pain

killers. Is it the PA or the pain killers causing this, or maybe a mixture of

both ? What bothers me most at the moment is I get periods of confusion. It

sounds funny, but yesterday I put a meal in the microwave oven to heat, but when

I checked it a few minutes later, the microwave oven was running without the

meal in it. I had in fact put the meal back into the refrigerator. I also find

myself standing in a room and not knowing for what purpose I am there. This is

a bit worrying.

Regards, Gordon

April 15, 2002

In a message dated 04/14/2002 6:24:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

meghan@... writes:

> And I do need SOMETHING for the pain.

>

Meghan - have you tried Ultram for the pain? Helps a little. Also, are you

on prilosec or nexium for the reflux?

[Meghan's Moderator Note- as stated in earlier messages Ultram gave me near

migraine strength headaches. Ultram doesn't work for me. I have tried Prilosec

which did nothing at all. I'm gonna give Nexium a try, but Propulsid (now

removed from the market) was the only thing that really worked for my acid

reflux. -Meghan]

April 15, 2002

In a message dated 4/15/2002 2:36:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

TADEL630@... writes:

> [Meghan's Moderator Note- as stated in earlier messages Ultram gave me near

> migraine strength headaches. Ultram doesn't work for me. I have tried

> Prilosec which did nothing at all. I'm gonna give Nexium a try, but

> Propulsid (now removed from the market) was the only thing that really

> worked for my acid reflux. -Meghan]

Nexium is about the same thing as Prilosec. Have you tried Aciphex? That's

the only thing I can take.

Smile,

Becky

[Meghan's Moderator Note- Tried Aciphex for 3 weeks with Vioxx. It didn't do

much. Also, I'm not sure if I'm allergic to the Vioxx or the Aciphex. Still

figuring that one out. I have essentially tried all medications out for GERD.

Propulsid was the on thing that ever worked for me. -Meghan]

April 15, 2002

Gordon,

I do the same kinds of things. It is very frightening. In my case, I don't

think it is the pain killers. I had the horrible fatigue before I started

taking them. As for the confusion, I have taken painkillers before and they

never had this effect. Maybe it is though...don't know. My friend who has

taken neurontin said that it made her kinda loopy. Maybe that's whats getting

me. I just want to be able to think straight. I fear people around me are

catching on. I am afraid people at work might think I am on drugs or

something....

>>> geliott@... 04/13/02 12:36 PM >>>

Meghan,

I am also experiencing fatigue even though the pain is under control with pain

killers. Is it the PA or the pain killers causing this, or maybe a mixture of

both ? What bothers me most at the moment is I get periods of confusion. It

sounds funny, but yesterday I put a meal in the microwave oven to heat, but when

I checked it a few minutes later, the microwave oven was running without the

meal in it. I had in fact put the meal back into the refrigerator. I also find

myself standing in a room and not knowing for what purpose I am there. This is

a bit worrying.

Regards, Gordon

April 15, 2002

Hi all,

I was just reading an article stating that all of the B vitamins play

a big role in memory and fatigue (folic acid, B-12, B-6). One of my

beliefs about the PA is that our ability to absorb vitamins properly

is inhibited. So some of the different problems we experience may be

partially related to vitamin deficiencies. I think the fatigue and

confusion are probably caused by multiple factors, including vitamin

deficiencies.

I used to never have any luck with vitamin supplements. They were

always too concentrated and upset my stomach. The best way is through

good foods, but I can't ever seem to eat enough good foods. But

here's a list of particularly good ones: blueberries, asparagus,

nuts, whole grains are all great sources of vitamin Bs.

With my current vitamins (Shaklee brand), I definitely notice an

improvement in my fatigue when I take them regularly. I take their

Basic pack, plus Super Cal-Mag (with calcium, magnesium, vitamin D).

Going back to the idea of journaling might be the best way to figure

out what worsens the fatigue and what helps. Keeping a regular sleep

schedule, getting as much gentle exercise as you can, eating right,

getting your vitamins are definite factors that could help a lot.