Fatigue from chronic illness is a very intense feeling of tiredness that cannot be overcome. It is different to just feeling tired, and often nothing can stop it from occurring except rest and sleep.
There are many reasons you may experience fatigue as a symptom of your chronic illness. Pain, inflammation, part of a different condition (for example iron deficiency), and medication can impact fatigue levels.
So apart from managing the above reasons for chronic illness, what else can you do? (ensure you talk to health professional about what might work for you)
Alleviating fatigue
- Take care of your mental health
- Use self-care techniques as a way to rejuvenate
- Negotiate your time dependent on how many “spoons” you have left
- Pacing. Using pacing can help to reduce fatigue swings
- Know your limits and practice how to say “no”
- Consider supplements (under the recommendation of your health professional) such as caffeine, melatonin, probiotics
- Exercise. Choose movement suitable for you, and try to move every day
- Good sleep hygiene is important for good sleep
- Rest throughout the day may make it easier to manage fatigue
- Flexible work . Try to negotiate your workplace to manage your fatigue
- Take advantage of technologies such as shopping online.
Adapted from Creakyjoints.org.
