RA: Tips to Manage Your Fatigue

WebMD—December 12, 2014

If you have rheumatoid arthritis and often feel tired, you're hardly alone: More than 80% of people who have it say it causes fatigue.

You might also find that weakness -- either all over or in areas of your body affected by RA -- gets in the way of things you used to do with ease, whether it's opening a jar or doing your favorite exercise routine. But if you know how to manage these symptoms, you can make sure they don't derail your day.

Many people with RA think that feeling crummy is normal. Instead "exhaustion can be a sign that you're in the middle of a flare or may need to adjust your treatment plan," says Susan Goodman, MD. She's a rheumatologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. "Controlling your disease with arthritis medication can lead to a significant improvement in your energy and prevent joint damage that would make weakness worse."

Read the full story at webmd.com.