Are you wondering if the exhaustion you're feeling with spondylitis is related to chronic fatigue? It's a really common concern — and the fatigue from spondylitis is very real and very debilitating.
Over 85 percent of people with spondylitis experience fatigue, and for about 1 in 3, it's severe. This isn't ordinary Show Full Answer
Are you wondering if the exhaustion you're feeling with spondylitis is related to chronic fatigue? It's a really common concern — and the fatigue from spondylitis is very real and very debilitating.
Over 85 percent of people with spondylitis experience fatigue, and for about 1 in 3, it's severe. This isn't ordinary tiredness — it's driven by chronic inflammation and doesn't go away with rest or sleep. Spondylitis fatigue can show up as:
- Brain fog and trouble concentrating
- Low physical and mental energy
- Muscle weakness
- Restlessness at night
- Difficulty making decisions
- Poor memory
As one MySpondylitisTeam member put it: *"Pain makes us exhausted; exhaustion creates pain that fogs our brain. One symptom leads to another (and back again)!"* Several factors can drive fatigue in spondylitis:
- Inflammation — the immune system releases proteins called cytokines that directly cause fatigue
- Sleep disruption — around 53% of people with spondylitis experience sleep disorders
- Medications — some treatments like corticosteroids or DMARDs can worsen tiredness
- Depression or anxiety — both common with spondylitis and closely linked to fatigue
It's worth bringing this up with your doctor, especially if energy levels have suddenly changed. They can review medications, check for contributing factors, and suggest strategies to help.
July 3
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