Fatigue...

Fatigue is a very funny word. In fact my daughter makes fun of me when I say it. I have never had to even say this word much less ever worry about this word until having Sarcoidosis.

Fatigue is real and can be a very devastating and daunting thing to deal with on a daily basis. Until you experience extreme fatigue I don't think you ever can really understand it. I know I never would have until going through it myself. I now have so much more compassion for someone who experiences it on a daily basis.

It is not just being tired all the time. It is an inner exhaustion that makes you feel like a limp wet noodle or like your limbs are jello. (haha) Since having this disease I have really tried to fight this fatigue thinking if I pushed through it that it would get better. I have found that this definitely does not work! When I try to push through it I find that I either flare myself up worse or end up in flat down in bed for hours. I am quite a stubborn person and love to be busy, busy, busy, but I have had to learn to not just listen to what my brain is telling me to go, go, go but rather listen to what my body is saying, which is to rest. When I do listen to my body I find that I can rest and gather some strength for later, or rather add some spoons to my day.

I have done some research on the fatigue that people with Sarcoidosis get and have recently learned that there are three different types. Learning about his helps me to better understand fatigue and try and listen to my body more.


"Sharma [9] postulated three different types of fatigue in sarcoidosis, i.e. early morning fatigue, intermittent fatigue and afternoon fatigue. Patients with early morning fatigue awake unrefreshed. They have difficulty getting out of bed, partly because of joint stiffness and/or muscle pain. Moreover, sleeping disorders (see later) may play a role in this type of fatigue. Patients with intermittent fatigue awake fit, but feel exhausted after a few hours of activity. Rest resolves this type of fatigue and patients can pick-up their activity for a few hours, after which they again become tired. Afternoon fatigue is present in patients who are fit in the morning but completely exhausted in the afternoon. Patients with this type of fatigue may feel as though they have influenza and wish only to go to bed."

Here is a link to this article on fatigue. http://www.ildcare.eu/Downloads/artseninfo/Sarcoidosis/Chapter%207%20Fatigue%20quality%20of%20life%20and%20health.pdf

I seem to suffer the most with the intermittent fatigue and sometimes afternoon fatigue. I wake up usually feeling great and after a couple hours can be totally tanked, rest for a few hours, get up again, get tanked, rest and this repeats over and over again. Since I have been sick these past few days I have woken up with extreme exhaustion and not be able to even get energy to do anything. I sure hope this all day fatigue passes soon and I can get back to the intermittent fatigue! Its actually much easier to deal with.

Today i am grateful for :
1. The ability to have only intermittent fatigue daily instead of all-day fatigue like I am currently experiencing with this cold.
2. Trying to have patience with myself when I am too sick to do anything
3. FInding peace and feeling good about myself even when I can't  physically help others like I would like to.
4. Finding ways to share what I am learning with others through this blog
5 Hoping that I can help others in some way by sharing my thoughts, trials, and triumphs on this blog