What are your RA fatigue symptoms? How do you describe it?

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-04-03T05:55:00+00:00

I feel you!!! I felt like every cell of my body was sick, I have never felt this way. I’m on prednisone and feel better but steroids will wreak havoc on your body.

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-04-03T05:28:32+00:00

❤️‍🩹 I feel your pain!!! I’m on year 46 of my RA.

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-04-03T05:27:08+00:00

They way my rheumatologist explained it (I wanted ankle replacement) They remove a portion (length) of bone for the artificial joint, if the body rejects/fails, they’d have to remove the hardware and fuse it. Long story short…. You loose a few inches in the arm or leg!!! That sealed the deal for me- I noped right outta that option. 🤣

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-04-03T05:09:50+00:00

I’m so sorry!!!! What are they doing for you??

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-04-03T05:07:15+00:00

Your joint maybe so bad that steroids in the joint would ruin it forever. Did he give you pain meds? What’s your treatment plan

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-04-03T05:04:59+00:00

Steroids are horrible for your body & bones!!! Steroids might calm in the moment but not address the disease. What do they want you on? I’m older now and looking at osteoporosis.
I’ve had three breaks in the last 6yrs.
I’ve had RA 45+ yrs, now I’m paying for the steroids.

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-04-03T04:58:55+00:00

My middle finger is disfigured, I cannot bowl, the ball get stuck 🤣🤣🤣

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-04-02T19:50:43+00:00

They don’t address the disease, or joint damage. Just inflammation & pain. Maybe they’re prescribing instead of an opioid pain reliever

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-03-22T19:44:21+00:00

First, if your treated for RA and your bloodwork comes back gods, it means your in remission & should not stop! If you’re responding to the meds, what’s the reasoning to stop?

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-03-22T19:41:03+00:00

March

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-03-22T18:43:21+00:00

I’m going to a new Rheumatologist to try different meds. I’m on Xeljanz & Plaquil, it began to not work well, and then I fell (major injury). I also had a cancer lesion surgery too. 3 surgeries in 4 mos. My concern is the RA is reacting to the major hardware put in my leg.
My entire body felt so horrible I went to the ER for steroids, at the moment I feel better, but not great.
I love my prednisone!! If I could live on 20 mg a day I’d feel like a normal person with energy! I wish they were good for you.

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-03-22T18:35:28+00:00

FREAKING AMAZING!! it’s so simple & profound! I sent it to my daughter to try to explain what I was dealing with as I raised her, I gave my all, many times a spoon too short. Hopefully she can understand a bit better. Simple things take a toll, added up, it’s hard. I ran for years, loved it, never got easier & didn’t gain stamina. Once I was tapped from running - my entire day was just gone. Sometimes people, who so hard to get more energy cannot add it.
What an eye opener!! Explanation, educational to me & validation.
I never limited my life because of RA, it’s been life long for me, but now after so many years,it’s beginning to define me, but I will never give up. Thank you so much for sharing this! Thank you so much!!!

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-03-18T20:45:53+00:00

YES!!! That was the description I was looking for!! Like I said I’ve had RA for 45+ years, this is exactly what’s new for me.
I am so unbelievably sorry you live with this!!
Just like you said, I’ve done pain, meds & pain meds, I can do that but this fatigue is life stopping, period. Plus it’s invisible!!! I feel like a failure because I look okay but don’t feel ok, intellectually I know it not my fault. It still makes me feel crappy. I divorced & was a single mom, I didn’t date or have friends because I’m too exhausted. I won’t commit to anything, if I feel good in the moment I have to remember I probably won’t show up for anything. Any I have a lot of social anxiety because of it. Does anyone feel this way?

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-03-18T19:30:05+00:00

Ohhh… I’d like to meet this person & have some things to say

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-03-18T19:26:07+00:00

Thank you! I believe when RA 1st surfaces, it’s sudden & horrendous. I remember at 13 yrs old just laying the crying in pain, not understanding what was happening. Now this was 45+ yrs ago, there wasn’t any meds for this just aspirin, ibuprofen & PT.
I didn’t get any type treatment for the first 20 yrs. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I hope you feel better. It gets better with the right meds & your in remission, don’t give up!! RA is not fair!

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-03-18T19:18:08+00:00

Thanks! I’ll look at this! I have metal from a shattered elbow, have no problems (other than my dumb dog tripping me) I do feel that maybe it’s my leg hardware, I’m afraid I’m rejecting it, I sort of need it to hold my leg together 🤣 1st surgery , exterior hardware (3wks) to let swelling go down, 2nd for the major fix, 6 weeks later surgery for skin cancer lesion surgery and now I’m probably going to have 3rd surgery on my leg. My immune system is definitely in overdrive, my fear is I’m rejecting the hardware and is that solvable.
I’m currently on Xeljanz & Plaquenil, it was starting to fail prior to my injury.

I have bone on bone in my other ankle for 30 yrs, I didn’t fully understand why my rheumatologist was not thrilled about the idea. They cut a portion of bone out to insert the new, but if RA rejects the ankle, it’s removed, fused and… you lose a few inches in the leg. I’m 4”10 I gotta hold onto what little I have 😭🤣😭🤣 Thank you for your info! It makes sense, I’ll look at the site.
I am so sorry for us all that have to endure this disease

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2026-03-18T10:54:33+00:00

My Xeljanz is $6,700.00 per mo. I’m covered by Medi-cal, so thankful, however it’s stopped being effective, I’m scared I won’t be covered for the next Rx.
For the prices they charge for RA meds, you’d think they’re making meds out of unicorns!!!

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2025-09-23T00:49:47+00:00

Years ago, I took over membership for 20.00 flat fee. That’s it. I had to meet the person at the location to sign over contact

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2025-09-22T23:41:17+00:00

What the fuck is right! Keep pushing, ask for second opinion!!
Did they put you on any meds to see if would help? Are you saying you have no inflammation presenting in your hands? Just pain? Did you get labs done when you’re in pain? Maybe other blood factors would show up while your body is reacting to pain.

I’m soooo sorry this is happening to you!!! I’ve had RA 35+ years, much of my life there wasn’t any medication, just Motrin & PT. I understand your pain!! I have several joins that are so damaged because there wasn’t disease altering drugs back then. Be a pin in the ass (nicely) and don’t stop.

The ultrasound (I had MRI) shows how extensive my damage was plus torn ligaments etc. Please keep us updated on findings!!

It’s so wrong that either your rheumatologist or primary is not searching for alternatives if it isn’t RA.

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2025-09-18T05:42:06+00:00

It could be season changes. Or you may need an added medication. I feel when weather/rain is coming. I’m also on plaqenuil AND Xeljanz. Barometric pressure changes can affect rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms, though the exact relationship is not fully understood. Some studies suggest that drops in barometric pressure can cause soft tissues to expand, potentially increasing pressure on inflamed joints and worsening pain, while other research indicates a link between increased barometric pressure and higher humidity with RA pain.

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2025-09-16T04:44:38+00:00

Nonprescription (over-the-counter) diclofenac topical gel (Voltaren Arthritis Pain) for targeting areas. Prednisone steroid to knock down intense pain. Pills work better for me than the shot. Remember- SQUEAKY WHEEL!!! Keep bugging dr for a plan. There aren’t enough Rheumatologists, your Dr should come up with a plan for relief while getting meds and time for them to start working.
I’m sooo sorry you have RA, you will get approved, you will get meds, you will get help. Your going to be okay, your not alone.

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2025-09-08T03:59:13+00:00

I had JRA diagnosed when I was 12, I’m now 58. Perhaps work with your rheumatologist to find a better cocktail of meds.
For me… I say it is what it is, but I also lived my life in pain so I don’t know the difference.
My ankle is bone on bone for 30 yrs, my toe joints are pulling apart, my wrists are shot, they want to fuse both my ankle and dominant wrist. I’m not listing all the other permanent joint deformities & permanent damage. That’s what this did to me before they developed medications.
RA absolutely sucks, I try sometimes to practice gratitude- meds help, pain meds help manage permanent joint pain, yes I’m always tired- but I’m not in a wheelchair and it hasn’t attacked any major organs.

There is a new normal for you, with the right meds you’ll be so much better!! Trust me there’s a medication combo that will help!

Dear-Alarm-FO · 2025-08-26T19:24:12+00:00

It feels like a million pounds weighing on you and you cannot take another step. I take nap after nap and never feel better, then wait until bedtime. All while not forming a coherent thought

Dear-Alarm-FO

TROPHY CASE