1. < Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune Diseases and Fatigue

Posted by JohnWBurns @johnwburns, Jul 13, 2016

Fatigue is probably intertwined with the definition of "illness", almost any illness, but with some conditions fatigue becomes ingrained into the afflicted person's being and is a feature of their daily life. Such is the case with the highest profile disorders, cancer and cardiovascular disease, but it is just as true with at least some autoimmune diseases. I have a long history of dealing with autoimmunity and the complaint that kept bringing me back to doctors persisting in finding out what was going on was the dogged lack of energy, vitality. I got guess after guess after guess and when I got the "answer" it was basically that fatigue was part of the deal with the autoimmune disease that I have, Sjogren's, as well as I'm sure many others. So what I'm asking here is if you experience it, fatigue, how has it impacted your life and how do you deal with it? Have you found anything that you are sure mitigates it?

In my case its exercise, rest, and a fairly regulary low dose, around 50 mgs (usual recommended dose 200 mg) of modafinil, which I don't take for Sjogren's but rather for "Excessive Daytime Sleepiness" linked to Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I accidentally found out that it mitigated my general weariness. I've read some solid studies that found that American Ginseng can help cancer-related fatigue but apparently it doesn't work for Sjogren's, for me at least. Since fatigue impacts a person's total life experience in all domains, any information that might lead to dampening or controlling it would be very helpful to a lot of folks I'm sure.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

lioness | @lioness | Mar 12, 2018
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @johnjames -- I have no experience with iron iv treatments other than knowing it's for..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @johnjames -- I have no experience with iron iv treatments other than knowing it's for treatment when your body doesn't have enough iron which can cause anemia. I did find a good overview on the Cleveland Clinic's website here:

-- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14571-iron-intravenous-iv-infusion-as-anemia-treatment

Were you diagnosed with low iron?

John

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John I wonder about fermented food like sauerkraut and veggies fermented wonder if taking more of this would help with chronic pain? Anyone?

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 12, 2018
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @johnjames -- I have no experience with iron iv treatments other than knowing it's for..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @johnjames -- I have no experience with iron iv treatments other than knowing it's for treatment when your body doesn't have enough iron which can cause anemia. I did find a good overview on the Cleveland Clinic's website here:

-- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14571-iron-intravenous-iv-infusion-as-anemia-treatment

Were you diagnosed with low iron?

John

Jump to this post

Good question Lioness. I've never heard of fermented food helping with chronic pain but you may be onto something:

Self Help for Chronic Pain - Nourish Holistic Nutrition
-- http://nourishholisticnutrition.com/self-help-for-chronic-pain/

Inclusion of Fermented Foods in Food Guides around the World
-- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4303846/

How Fermented Foods and Probiotic Supplements Can Help Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain
-- http://integrativewomenshealthinstitute.com/fermented-foods-and-probiotics-for-women-with-pelvic-pain/

John

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 12, 2018
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @johnjames -- I have no experience with iron iv treatments other than knowing it's for..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @johnjames -- I have no experience with iron iv treatments other than knowing it's for treatment when your body doesn't have enough iron which can cause anemia. I did find a good overview on the Cleveland Clinic's website here:

-- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14571-iron-intravenous-iv-infusion-as-anemia-treatment

Were you diagnosed with low iron?

John

Jump to this post

@johnbishop and @lioness

I have head a lot about fermented foods from websites that are frequented by people with neuroendocrine tumors (NET). As many of these tumors are in the digestive tract a lot of NET folks have had multiple surgeries and now have diarrhea. They have discussed on different forums about using it to help with electrolyte balance. I've never had to use it myself, but it appears to be something used by lots of folks. So a spoonful of pickle juice certainly can't hurt much!

Teresa

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 12, 2018
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @johnjames -- I have no experience with iron iv treatments other than knowing it's for..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @johnjames -- I have no experience with iron iv treatments other than knowing it's for treatment when your body doesn't have enough iron which can cause anemia. I did find a good overview on the Cleveland Clinic's website here:

-- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14571-iron-intravenous-iv-infusion-as-anemia-treatment

Were you diagnosed with low iron?

John

Jump to this post

I am a believer in apple cider vinegar. I try to drink two or three glasses of water with 1 or 2 teaspoons of raw organic apple cider vinegar every day to help with the digestive tract and it does seem to be helping.

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | Mar 12, 2018
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @johnjames -- I have no experience with iron iv treatments other than knowing it's for..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @johnjames -- I have no experience with iron iv treatments other than knowing it's for treatment when your body doesn't have enough iron which can cause anemia. I did find a good overview on the Cleveland Clinic's website here:

-- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14571-iron-intravenous-iv-infusion-as-anemia-treatment

Were you diagnosed with low iron?

John

Jump to this post

Yes it will our stomach is so depleted of hydrochloric acid because of some say overuse of stomach medicine the vinegar or pickle juice will help replace it

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | Mar 12, 2018
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @johnjames -- I have no experience with iron iv treatments other than knowing it's for..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @johnjames -- I have no experience with iron iv treatments other than knowing it's for treatment when your body doesn't have enough iron which can cause anemia. I did find a good overview on the Cleveland Clinic's website here:

-- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14571-iron-intravenous-iv-infusion-as-anemia-treatment

Were you diagnosed with low iron?

John

Jump to this post

John just read the first one interesting and in it it says about Rheumtoid arthritis being helped by fermentation get more pickles and sauerkraut.After you read it let me know what you think Linda

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Texas Freedom | @oregongirl | Mar 12, 2018

And I love sauerkraut... Boy I hope it works.

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2 replies
Texas Freedom | @oregongirl | Mar 12, 2018

I finally got appt with cardiologist. I just know she will be doing a cath on me. My heart is not doing well with the RA

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1 reply
peach414144 | @peach414144 | Mar 12, 2018
In reply to @lioness "You have a sense of humor and it's a must for all our problems.Research shows our..." + (show)
@lioness

You have a sense of humor and it's a must for all our problems.Research shows our body requires calcium @magnesium in all our body functions ,muscles,heart,nerves,.So I take Fibro Malic it's by Vitacost lots of what our muscles need ,magnesium,msm,malic acid diff.parts of muscles,connective tissue ,fibers I use this primarily.For creams I like Arnica gel,Epsom salt Rub also this is fairly new but Epsom salts aren't Gluten free food research suggests gluten is a problem.Vi t D3,5000 mg.Calcium use Tums at night and just before bedtime.For flare ups I drink Arnica tea get it at Rite Aid B vitamins thats about it hope some of this will help you Peach

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dear lioness i have always liked sauerkraut (especially on hot dogs) so between sauerkraut and pickles the magnesium will rise high in the body.. thanks again peach

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peach414144 | @peach414144 | Mar 12, 2018
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @johnjames -- I have no experience with iron iv treatments other than knowing it's for..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @johnjames -- I have no experience with iron iv treatments other than knowing it's for treatment when your body doesn't have enough iron which can cause anemia. I did find a good overview on the Cleveland Clinic's website here:

-- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14571-iron-intravenous-iv-infusion-as-anemia-treatment

Were you diagnosed with low iron?

John

Jump to this post

@Dear lioness and john bishop. The last blood draw at thr oncology center was somewhat better but my body temperature was 95 degrees and i had a war sweater on. I am still strong anyway. Now on to the rest of the day. peach

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