Medication for fatigue?

[happylife]

Hi

Fatigue seems to be a common symptom in sjogren. Wanted to know which medicines work best in Reducing fatigue?

Thanks

[Joe S.]

I have not found a medication for fatigue. I have found a supplement that helps. Cistanchi helps me quite a bit. I have tried a number of other things but this seemed to help me the most. 

[happylife]

Thanks Joe.


Can you pls share the symptoms you developed in first 2 years? And the status of tests that proved your sjogren.

Thanks

[Joe S.]

The first thing that happened was that after a day teaching robotics to grade school children, while loading my car, I developed a red moth on my face. I should say that that I had been dealing with dry mouth, skin, eyes and nose since child hood and chronic pain with fibromyalgia since 1983. So my first thought was, "Oh, Great, Lupus." That started 7 years of seeing doctors before a DX based on symptoms.

My sun sensitivity flared in the first year. Unsual sweating, with sheets drenched in bed at night and clothing during the day. Breathing problems and random exhaustion during the simplest tasks. Dry eyes with in seconds of looking at a computer. I started to wear SPF 50 clothing and do to this day. I continued the pain management techniques I learned.     

[Deb 27]

Prescription strength  Vitamin D, getting a good night's sleep (10 hours) and  a multi vitamin. These have helped me more than anything and I've been at this a while. But, the fatigue can come and go.  I have to have a routine and stress will also wear me out in a major way.

Do you work happy life?

[happylife]

Hi Deb

My symptoms started 15 months ago. I quit my job 6 months back due to fatigue and insomnia.

Thanks

[Sweetcheex76]

Vitamin D and Vyvanse. Can't function without them.

[SjoGirl]

I agree with others that prescription strength Vit D can help.

Have you had your B12 checked? If it is particularly low pills or even shots can help.

Do you have anemia? FYI if you have anemia you will want to ask about the cause. In some cases the anemia is a co-factor to your autoimmune disease and might not resolve as a result of taking iron.

[WhatYouSjo]

I've seen reduced fatigue since I began my treatment regimen. I find helminthic therapy to be the most helpful, followed regular sleep, a modified AIP diet, moderate exercise, and low-dose Naltrexone. Plaquenil may also help a little bit, though it's hard to be sure since it is so slow-acting.

[Sharon]

Testosterone cream used to help the fatigue,
now Orencia does.

[Carolina]

There are several drugs that can help with fatigue, and I think Immune Suppressants can help if that is appropriate for you.

I am fortunate that my severe fatigue only comes with a flare, and I don't have those often since I'm on low dose Medrol (Methylprednisolone).

I am however, very low in energy.  I always have been.  I am fortunate that I didn't have the worst symptoms of fatigue until after I had retired, however.

I have several drink with caffeine during the day.  Not ideal, but it helps me.

Regards,  Elaine

[irish]

some people say that Plaquenil helps reduce the fatigue. Insomnia is extremely common with autoimmune disease and many people are given antidepressants at a low dose as it helps with sleep. Zoloft 25 to 50 mgm if often used. There are other antidepressants used also...check with your doctor. If you sleep better you have more energy usually.

There is also a drug called Provigil that used to be used to help increase alertness and lessen fatigue. I don't know if they are sill using it. Exercising helps lessen fatigue as it increases the endorphins and kicks our body into gear better. Goof luck. irish

[pugetsoundgirl]

Hi there,

I am on low-dose Pred daily and that changed my life in terms of fatigue, but I procrastinated for 2 years and didn't take it due to fear.  I can say, it's now been almost 3 years since I've been on it and so far no ill effects.  Agree with the others that Plaquenil also helps greatly on this and should be your first thing to try as the side effects are nil.   Lastly, another thing that has helped my energy and strength/stamina is the hormone I was placed on last year - Progesterone.  It is like a miracle drug for me (was prescribed for my Endo) and the actual name is Norethindrone Acetate.  I was able to go skiing this year and not be tired as much.   I havne't seen much improvement from Vit D, but that's just me. 

Not sure what you've tried for your insomnia, but about 15 years ago when I was undiagnosed with SjS and they just said it was Fibromyalgia, they gave me Elavil for sleep and it worked wonders.  It got my sleep cycle back on-track and then I was able to come off it after about 1 year.  Highly recommend.

Best to you,
PugetSoundGirl