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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How can I manage the exhaustion I suffer from with rheumatoid arthritis?

    Related Topics
    Fitness and Sports Medicine Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatology
    I am 38 and have RA. I'm not having any major joint problems at the moment but am exhausted all of the time. I am struggling at work because of this and it is also affecting my fitness as I am too tired to keep up with my exercise programme. I have a healthy diet and don't drink any alcohol or caffinated drinks. What can I do to help with the exhaustion?
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    Dr Cahal Meegan

    Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist

    I am a registered clinical psychologist readily available to assist you in understanding and improving your quality of life impacted by mental illness, relationship or … View Profile

    It sounds like you are doing a lot of adaptive behaviours that are necessary for effective management of your RA such as diet and exercise, so I can imagine it must be frustrating to still experience such levels of exhaustion.  It will be prudent to check with your GP/Rheumatologist first to see if other factors outside of RA, which may be contributing to your exhaustion. 
    Certainly RA can greatly affect energy levels in the absence of major joint difficulties.  As with most forms of chronic pain conditions it is important to maintain an energy conservation program that includes appropriate pacing and prioritizing of activity including allocation of heavy/light load periods and rest.
    There is also a form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which focuses on energy conservation for chronic conditions, which includes behavioural analysis of activities, and cognitive therapy, which focuses on beliefs about pain and symptoms.  Other factors that can be targeted in this form of therapy are psychological including mood, anxiety and social supports, which can greatly affect energy levels.  A specialist clinical psychologist can provide this form of CBT

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