I have been dianosed with RA about a year ago, I have been having weird muscle fatigue in my legs and arms , it's been going on about 6weeks now. It's not painful but the best way to describe it is as though I have done about 40reps and now feel that fatigued feeling when of course I havent. Interestingly enough this is the same symptoms I had before all my joints started hurting. I had gone to the doctor about it and they ran normal blood tests and couldnt find anything , then about 9 weeks later my joints started swelling and they diagnosed me with RA. then that weird muscle fatique went away and never returned till now. does anyone know what this could be? is this fairly normal for RA sufferers? I'm really scared it's something else on top of my RA. OR maybe they misdiagonsed me and I really have something even more serious. I see my rhuematologist tomorrow but I cant sleep thinking about all the things it could be. does anyone else have this? thank you for any help and this is my first time ever going on a community site.
I have muscle fatigue as well. Seems the more my joints hurt the worse the muscle fatigue. You may want to ask your RA doc about Fibromyalgia as well.
Brad
Yes i have it too! I have RA and Fibromyalgia, and it can be confussing somtimes as to which one is causing what symptom.
I have the same muscle achs and fatigue. I know exactly what you are talking about. I have not found a med to fix this either. Most of my pain is in my back, butt, and legs. Tried some nerve meds and they either made the symptoms worse or caused other side affects. Sorry I couldn't be more help but you are not alone. (I know if feels that way sometimes)
I had incredible fatigue before diagnosis too (and alsomultiple bouts of tendinitis). RA can affect anything in the body. My first diagnosis was Fibromyalgia. I was given amitriptyline for better sleep, and I slept better, but still had the fatigue (halfway through Monday, I felt like I'd already worked a half-week!) I found a website that recommended guaifenesin (it's the ingredient in Robitussin, but in a tablet/dry form, no sugar). It really helped, and I still take two 200mg tablets a day. My doctor wrote a generic prescription. It's also available OTC as 600 mg splittable tablets: Humibid or Mucinex (more expensive OTC however). The effect was dramatic (it isn't immediate for most people but it was for me, literally overnight, but that was before the joint swelling.) Supposedly it thins body fluids and makes nutrients more available to the cells, so they have more energy. There are other theories too, nothing is for sure. But it does help some people for a while, is inexpensive, and my doctor said, in any case, it won't hurt you.
Exercise is also helpful, but you may have to take it very slow. A walk, a short time on an exercise bike - find out what you can tolerate and go from there. Even though I don't always feel like exercising, I usually feel better afterward, unless there is an active joint problem, which I don't want to aggravate.
good luck -
E
Hi Shelli, welcome to the group! I've had that too and now instead of just fatigue, I have soreness in the big muscles in my arms and thighs. If you poke my upper arm it feels like I have deep contusions. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia an RA 10 yrs ago. I don't think it's going to get better for me. Good luck to you!
Linda
Hi Shelly, I first found out 6 years ago that I had RA along with Fibromyalgia which gives me the same things you are describing. I take 10mg of Flexerile twice a day and it does seem to help.
There are sooo many meds you there it may take a while to find one that works on you but you are NOT alone and it is not all in your imagination. Important part is keep on moving - less some days and more on others, let your body tell you when to quit 
This is common with me, the muscle fatigue. It make me feel like I weigh a ton although I am not an overweight person. During the time when I'm going through this, it seems as though everything I do is such a chore. It happens to me mostly when it is humid. I would advise you not to worry as it is just something that will come and go from time to time.
Oh honey yes it is. Welcome to our world. you might try excerising in a pool it's
much better.Just remember you can have a good life with a few adjustments.
every day ia a new beginning for you.
I am new to this community chat as well. I was just diagnosed w/ RA last week. I have been always been very active. I am 40 years old w/ a 22 mth old and I feel as if I have been Drug throught the ringer. When I work out, I feel as if I have done a TRIATHOLON or something. It is hard to work out because I get so fatigued so easily. My joints do hurt and I get these body tremors/shakes on the inside. Does anyone else ever get these? My muscles are so fatigued from just walking on a daily basis. I feel so drained. I am meeting w/ a biotanical hormone specialist. I have been online and researed Adrenal glands and fatigue. I have EVERY symptom of this and I also feel that I have FIBRO as well. I am going to have the doctor test all of my levels and also check me for Adrenal disorder. But yes. I feel the muscle fatigue so much everyday. Good Luck and any advice anyone else can through in would be great. God Bless everyone. :)
Melody B- Columbus, GA
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
