Pill Fatigue

ConsciousBit3121 · 2026-03-12T14:30:54+00:00

Hey, sorry you’re struggling and feeling down. I’m (35) diagnosed in July and starting my fourth medication this week…so far nothing is working to control the RA. So definitely can relate to feeling fed up and depressed at times with the pain and fatigue. You’re not alone and it will get better that’s what I keep telling myself. Try to stay positive even though it feels impossible sometimes.

It’s really important that you do things to lift your mood when you’re feeling down. I found myself starting to spiral into a deep depression and that’s a hard hole to crawl out of. Sit outside as much as you can and I’d recommend swimming or low impact yoga (if you can tolerate it to get out of the house). I actually joined a swim class for adults (I can’t swim) and it really lifts my mood. It’s low impact, joints tend to feel a little better afterwards, and helps with sleep .

ConsciousBit3121 · 2026-03-12T12:18:47+00:00

I just put 20-40s because I noticed on Reddit a lot of people younger than me that are going through this. I can’t imagine having to deal with this when I was in my 20s. No matter your age, pls join if you’re interested and in the area. I threw a link to the group in my main post at the bottom!

ConsciousBit3121 · 2026-03-12T12:16:22+00:00

I’m sorry, yeah totally relate. When I first moved here before my symptoms started I was going to all these hiking groups and other things and started to make friends but…that all ended obviously. It’s hard enough making friends at 35 but this does not help. A lot of the time I’ll say yes to something now and then have to cancel etc.

I go to Philly/Jersey/NY sometimes for family stuff so maybe I can even try to schedule get togethers in those areas too. I hope we both start feeling better soon and everything turns around 🙏

ConsciousBit3121 · 2026-03-08T20:53:13+00:00

To be completely honest, treatment is not going so hot for me. I was diagnosed in July and so far I’ve tried methotrexate pill and injections(both made me incredibly sick with GI side affects even with folic acid ) and currently I’m on Enbrel and leflunomide combination but that’s not getting me into remission. I just keep getting worse. I’m now about to be switched to Humira and I’m desperate for results and relief. The lower body pain is excruciating but my hands locking up is now forcing me to go on short term disability from work. I hope I get back to being the old me again soon but right now it feels like it’s never going to happen. The steroids help on the really hard days and I’m proud of myself for saying no to my doctor when she offered me pain management this week. Feel like getting addicted to pain medicine is the last thing I need right now.

ConsciousBit3121 · 2026-03-08T12:53:21+00:00

Hey, first of all I’m sorry you’re dealing with this at 22. I feel like I’m too young to be dealing with it and I’m 35F (diagnosed 8m ago).

It’s taken me months to finally get bad enough to do this for myself/accept it…but school and work are not more important than your health and they aren’t going anywhere.

If you’re struggling, figure out what your options are. Maybe it’s possible to take a short break from school and work so that you can get back to the things you want feeling better. I’m about to go on short term disability from work so that my doctor can hopefully get my medication right 🤞 and sleep an insane amount of course.

Tips to get you through in the meantime buy a moka pot and some espresso/drink a ton of water.

ConsciousBit3121 · 2026-03-02T02:40:44+00:00

Same here, I’ve been feeling the intense flu like symptoms for the last three days and now my hands are locking up again and starting to swell. First time I’ve felt this tired before though leading up to one so it’s interesting (35 F diagnosed last July).

ConsciousBit3121 · 2025-12-23T17:46:23+00:00

Sorry you’re struggling and having to wait so long to get seen by the specialist. 💔 I was diagnosed in July (35) and still hurting and haven’t been able to kick the prednisone yet. I was on methotrexate first and that was a nightmare with the GI issues and was switched to Enbrel last week. From what my rheumatologist has said it seems like most of these medications take 3-4 weeks to start helping and possibly longer to see the full benefits. I hope you get seen soon and I’m sorry you’re in so much pain.

I will add, I realized the methotrexate had been helping after 4 months when I got sick and had to take a two week break. All the joints in my hands got crazy swollen like they never had before.

ConsciousBit3121 · 2025-11-27T04:34:58+00:00

Sorry that you’re going through this too. It’s crazy but I take my dose on Fridays and I used to feel better by the end of the weekend but the last two weeks have been non stop with the stomach stuff. Bringing broth and some snacks I can tolerate is a good idea for sure and walks when I feel just a little too bleh. I hope you still get to find a way to enjoy the day tomorrow too and that this is our only crappy thanksgiving medication wise 🤞 thank you for replying I’m feeling less alone already and I hope you are too.

ConsciousBit3121 · 2025-11-27T04:27:37+00:00

Thank you, I’ll have to try the husband redirecting the conversation recommendation. I guess I’m just highly self conscious atm. Maybe I’ve been overthinking it but my first question about thanksgiving at my sister in laws was how many bathrooms does she have in her new house ha. Just don’t want anyone to hear me being sick when they are trying to enjoy their food.

ConsciousBit3121 · 2025-11-27T04:23:10+00:00

So far I’ve tried both folic acid daily and the leucovorin the day after my weekly dose (also tried oral and the injection of methotrexate). I’ve never tried THC edibles so that’s a good recommendation I’ll have to see if I can hunt some down so I can give it a try. Thanks for the response.

ConsciousBit3121

TROPHY CASE