Are you experiencing fatigue with spondylitis?
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of spondylitis, affecting over 85 percent of people with the condition. This isn't ordinary tiredness that improves with rest—it's a profound exhaustion driven by chronic inflammation and other factors related to the disease.
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Are you experiencing fatigue with spondylitis?
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of spondylitis, affecting over 85 percent of people with the condition. This isn't ordinary tiredness that improves with rest—it's a profound exhaustion driven by chronic inflammation and other factors related to the disease.
What causes fatigue in spondylitis?
Several factors contribute to fatigue:
- Inflammation: Your immune system releases inflammatory proteins called cytokines that directly cause exhaustion
- Sleep disorders: About 53 percent of people with spondylitis experience sleep problems, often due to nighttime pain
- Medications: Some treatments like corticosteroids, pain medications, and DMARDs can worsen fatigue
- Chronic pain: The pain-exhaustion cycle feeds itself—pain makes you tired, and exhaustion increases pain
- Depression and anxiety: These are common with chronic conditions and add to low energy levels
What does it feel like?
People describe fatigue from spondylitis as:
- Brain fog and trouble concentrating
- Persistent mental and physical exhaustion
- Low motivation and energy
- Difficulty making decisions
- Feeling "dead on your feet"
A MySpondylitisTeam member shared: "I can power through pain, but this exhaustion is tough."
Talk with your healthcare provider about your fatigue, especially if you notice sudden changes. They can check for underlying conditions, adjust medications, and recommend strategies to help manage your energy levels.
March 22
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