| Fatigue in Scleroderma |
| This page was written by Janey Willis , and has not yet been medically edited. Scleroderma (SD) affects everyone differently. Just because something is listed here does not mean that it is due to scleroderma or that an individual patient will ever experience it. See Disclaimer. |
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| Overview of Fatigue |
| Mild to extreme fatigue is a common symptom of scleroderma. It affects your daily activities and overall quality of life. Fatigue is not in your head. It is caused by physiological problems as well as psychological problems associated with the disease or other symptoms of the disease. |
| Fatigue: an overlooked determinant of physical function in scleroderma. Our findings indicate that fatigue is common in scleroderma and that pain and fatigue are significant determinants of physical functioning for patients with limited and diffuse disease subtypes. Sandusky SB. (PubMed) Rheumatology (Oxford). 2008 Dec 23. |
| Fatigue. Fatigue can refer to a subjective symptom of malaise and aversion to activity or to objectively impaired performance. British Medical Journal (BMJ). |
| Fatigue. A condition characterized by a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency of accomplishment, usually accompanied by a feeling of weariness and tiredness. Fatigue can be acute and come on suddenly or chronic and persist. MedicineNet.com |
| Fatigue "Just because you can't see the wind does not mean you doubt it exists. Because you can both see and feel the effects of the wind, you know the wind is reality. The fatigue often associated with lupus can easily be compared with the properties of the wind. Although fatigue itself is invisible, it exists, and its effects are a reality." Anne H Lootens & Rachel Rossiter, Reprinted with thanks to the Lupus Lantern, Kingsport TN by HAPS (Hunter Area Pathology Service) New South Wales, Australia. |
| Causes of Fatigue |
| Fatigue Causes. Heart disease, lung disease, connective tissue disease, electrolyte disturbances, GERD and many other disorders. eMedicineHealth.com. |
| A systematic comparison of fatigue levels in systemic sclerosis with general population, cancer and rheumatic disease samples. The high levels of fatigue reported in SSc were similar to patients with varying types and treatment stages of cancer and patients with other rheumatic diseases when assessed with the GFI, demonstrating that fatigue warrants greater attention in SSc. B.D. Thombs. Rheumatology 2008 47(10):1559-1563. |
| Reduced exercise capacity in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients without pulmonary involvement. SSc patients without pulmonary impairment have reduced exercise capacity. Abnormal vascular response to exercise may account for this finding, as the vascular system is one of the major target organs in this pathological condition. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, Volume 36, Issue 6 2007, pages 458 - 461. (InformaWorld) (Also see: Vascular Involvement) |
| Coping with Fatigue |
| Your Guide to Never Feeling Tired Again, Read on for some simple, recharging changes that can help you tackle all of the energy stealers in your life. WebMD. (Redbook December, 2007). |
| Scleroderma Complications and Fatigue |
| Biliary Cirrhosis Symptoms. Symptoms include chronic fatigue, intense and unrelenting skin itching, gradual darkening of the skin, small yellow or white bumps under the skin (usually around the eyes), dry eye syndrome, thyroid problems, and arthritic aches and pains. ISN. |
| Cardiac Involvement. Diffuse scleroderma can cause arrhythmias, pericardial effusion, and heart failure. Formation of scar tissue in the heart and lungs has recently been recognized as a general pattern probably contributing to overall fatigue. ISN. |
| Sjorgren's Syndrome. Hallmark symptoms of Sjögren's include dry eyes, dry mouth, dry vagina. Sjögren's can also cause fatigue, and it can affect the skin, lungs, heart, kidneys, muscles, and central nervous system. ISN. |
| Treatments for Fatigue |
| Is there any evidence to support the use of antidepressants in painful rheumatological conditions? Systematic review of pharmacological and clinical studies. Certain anti-depressant drugs have analgesic effects in chronic rheumatic painful states in which analgesics and NSAIDs are not very efficient. In inflammatory rheumatic diseases, anti-depressants may be useful for managing fatigue and sleep disorders. S. Perrot. Rheumatology Access Online. April 29, 2008. (Also see: Pain Management) |
| The Effect of Modafinil on Fatigue and Cognitive Function in Patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome (SS). Modafinil may represent a new and effective approach to treating two of the most debilitating clinical problems faced by SS patients. Thomas C. Namey. 1097/329. ACR 2007. (Also see: Sjogren's Syndrome) |
| Low impact aerobic exercise reduces fatigue in autoimmune conditions says multi-study review. A review of research shows that low impact aerobic exercise, such as walking and cycling, can effectively reduce fatigue in adults with chronic autoimmune conditions. PressZoom.com. 11/30/06. |
| Personal Stories |
| Alexandra: Scleroderma My scleroderma symptoms arrived in great style: reflux, itchy swollen skin, joint and muscle pain and tiredness. Plus hundreds of little red spots (telangiectasia). My mouth was tight and getting smaller too... |
| Carrie Maddoux: Diagnosis, a Work in Progress I was overwhelmed with a general feeling of nausea, sweats, fever and fatigue... |
| D.M. Hoffe: Progressive Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma CREST) After an endoscopy it was discovered I had a Watermelon Stomach... |
| Dawn M: Linear/Systemic Scleroderma My family
and I were informed by the doctors, that the localized/linear form of scleroderma that I was diagnosed with, would never progress into the
potentially fatal, systemic form... |
| Dee B: Limited Scleroderma/CREST Syndrome I also
had the problem with people saying I was a hypochondriac, as at that
stage all the doctors I saw found nothing wrong with me, but I constantly
felt weary and ill... |
| Donna: CREST, Raynaud's, possible Fibromyalgia I was diagnosed with CREST (Limited Systemic Scleroderma) by a rheumatologist in 2006. This wasn't really a surprise to me as my mother was diagnosed with diffuse scleroderma in 1998... |
| Donna C: Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD) For the most part I have still been doing very good. Some little setbacks here and there but for the most part much better... |
| Jaci: MCTD and Autoimmune Hepatitis Out of fear of going back to the doctors, I tried just to live with it, whatever it was. What I found strange was that nobody seemed to noticed how terrible I was feeling, not even the doctors... |
| Janet Q: UTCD or MCTD I also experienced new symptoms; joint pain, muscle aches, headaches, very painful carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands, back and neck pain, the list grew on and on... |
| Janice E: CREST/Fibromyalgia At some point I came to the realization that what I was feeling just could not be normal. By this time my hands were swelling... |
| Julie T: Surviving Daughter of a Diffuse Scleroderma Patient Our family deals with most difficult situations with laughter and humor, even in the most trying times... |
| Kerrie: CREST Syndrome with Limited Scleroderma If I was not stressed before I went in, I certainly was then. I am going to get referred on to see someone different. Hopefully, I will be luckier second time around... |
| Krisha S: Multiple Autoimmune Condition I have multiple sclerosis (MS), fibromyalgia, and Stiff Person Syndrome... |
| Missie R: Mixed Connective Tissue Disease I finally asked for an ANA test to check for lupus. My family doctor hesitated because my symptoms were all over the board... |
| Rhonda L: Systemic Scleroderma I have recently been diagnosed with sclerodema, and am still trying to wrap my brain around this... |
| Rosie: Limited Systemic Sclerosis (Australia) Some of my symptoms may not be due to limited scleroderma, however most of these symptoms have appeared since my diagnosis... |
| Yvette: Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD) and Thyroid Cancer For now, I have accepted that the diagnosis of my core problem is not important. The way I choose to deal with it is... |
| Related Links |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical or mental activity. ISN. |
