One day at a time my friend! We're all in this together ❤️ Added you to My Team! Maybe we can help each other from time to time. I am just coming off a slight Flare myself. This time I started Prednisone early enough it didn't get bad and thankfully I am not fatigued! I wish you all the Best!
June 16
Coming off a flare and still feeling exhausted and sleep-deprived? Completely normal — and incredibly frustrating. Hang in there.
Fatigue is one of the most common RA symptoms, with studies showing people with RA experience fatigue levels four to eight times higher than those without the condition. Sleep trouble during and Show Full Answer
Coming off a flare and still feeling exhausted and sleep-deprived? Completely normal — and incredibly frustrating. Hang in there.
Fatigue is one of the most common RA symptoms, with studies showing people with RA experience fatigue levels four to eight times higher than those without the condition. Sleep trouble during and after a flare is also very common, with around 80% of people with RA reporting insomnia-related fatigue. The tricky part is that poor sleep and RA can feed each other in a cycle — inflammation disrupts sleep, and poor sleep worsens inflammation and pain sensitivity. So it makes total sense that you're still feeling the effects even as the flare winds down.
A few things that may help break that cycle:
- Stick to a sleep schedule — same bedtime and wake time every day
- Keep your room dark and cool
- Avoid caffeine and screens close to bedtime
- Gentle wind-down activities like reading or a warm bath before bed
- Follow your treatment plan to keep pain and inflammation managed
- Talk to your doctor if sleep issues persist — they may be able to adjust medications or suggest additional support It's also worth knowing that some RA medications, like prednisone, can contribute to insomnia. As one myRAteam member put it, "I have a love/hate relationship with Prednisone. Nothing on earth can compare with it for wiping out pain from a flare, but the severe insomnia is unbearable."
If fatigue and sleep issues are significantly affecting daily life, it's worth bringing up with a rheumatologist — sometimes there are adjustments or additional support options that can really help.
June 16
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