How do you deal with fatigue that accompanies autoimmune disorders?

@jeff97 or … you could try the spoons theory which someone on another Mayo Connect discussion thread mentioned uses, to maintain energy level … can’t find that thread now, but here is something along the same line of thought:
https://themighty.com/topic/chronic-illness/what-is-a-spoonie-spoon-theory-chronic-illness-tme/

Thanks. That is a good way of thinking about energy levels when you have a chronic disease.

I just want to give people a heads up on one possible answer to fatigue.
I kept saying I was "FATIGUED" to my doctors so it seemed to be a given.
Until my GP ran different blood tests and found out I was in low red blood cells situation.
Now I am on iron pills Ferrous Gluconate ... and an antibiotic for a UTI .
This is not a fight I expected and I would like to know what caused the low iron situation .
So if you are constantly fighting fatigue make sure you ask for those blood tests that might explain it.

I can't control it at all. It all depends on the weather.

Regular physical therapy to maintain or extend your strength.
Methylphenidate helps. Antidepressants help.

Definitely a fatiguing discussion not many think about! Having Narcolepsy and taking medicine for it and all kinds of medicines for a failed back surgery plus blood pressure, my iron and testosterone levels dropped so now on pills and shots for them . I am so tired I can get out of bed some days and be ready for a nap 30 minutes later or usually between 2-5 pm I have to take a nap I’m so drowsy I can’t stay awake even up moving what little I can and when I take a nap it’s usually at least 2 hours. I take Sunosi for the narcolepsy but the neurologist won’t change anything until I get off the pain meds but I can’t stop pain meds with a failed back surgery that no one will fix . I recently had a stimulator put in that lasted 4 days after 1-1/2 years of misery and being 95% pain free I accidentally bent to far and moved the leads of a $78,000 surgery ( probably around $50,000 after insurance writes off so much ) I guess since I can’t do anything at least another 7-8 weeks if they can do my surgery for new leads next week I’ll become Fat-I-Guessed if I could only walk to the mailbox would be an exciting day

My doctor prescribes PT and Methylphenidate. It helps. I’m 75 with CIDP and still working and competing with agility dogs. Life is short from this hilltop of 75. Gotta keep moving.

Watching what I eat and drink. Cut out things high in sugar and sodium. Eating/ snacking smaller meals throughout the day. Pack in some protein. Good sleep hygiene, taking breaks, hydrate all the time. Take 30 nap before 2pm. Listen to your body and learn from it. Don't overwork yourself. I caffeinated tea or coffee for a pick me up. Spend at least 45 everyday trying to unwind, relax and distress. I like ASMR videos on YouTube. Something I haven't had in awhile is the carnation insta breakfast power you can mix in milk or similar. It helped me a lot with energy going through epstein barr reactivation. And give yourself a break, don't beat yourself up for it. It's extremely hard to deal with but much better when you come to terms of accepting it and nurturing yourself through.

This is the best article I’ve read. Thanks so much January Jane. I was diagnosed with systemic Lipus Erythematotus in 2017.

I attend PT twice a week and try to swim two or three alternate days in between. I found my stamina definitely improved once I started swimming regularly. I try to plan doctors appts, shopping, or whatever, when I feel the best (usually after midday), and I avoid scheduling things back-to-back so I have time to recover in between. I was always very organized, but now I plan waaaaaay ahead so I'm not stressing as everything takes me longer. Bigger projects are broken down into steps over a few days, rather than attempted all in the same day, so that I can still accomplish tasks timely. I get a head start on family meals that can they can reheat themselves at the end of the day if I'm too tired. Perhaps most importantly, I've accepted that I am no longer the person I used to be and have started to ask for help more frequently and say "No" more often when things are asked of me. Acceptance was the tricky bit, lol. Hang in there 🙂