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Any ideas to help get some energy.
I have to get out of bed early due to pain! Take 30 minutes to feel just a pain and not pain and feeling wasted!

I am 53 had this AS for over 30 years
I also have had one shoulder op and 3 on my left ankle

September 3
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A MySpondylitisTeam Member

@A MySpondylitisTeam Member: I am 72, have to get up slowly due to amount of pain I am in. For energy:1) I take GNC Mega Mens Energy and Metabolism multivitamins
2. For breakfast, one thing I do, is eat a handful of dark chocolate expresso beans. Both of those help me with energy. I also take some other supplemental vitamins to increase energy as well. I hope this helps.
To your better health:- Drew

September 3
MySpondylitisTeam

Living with AS for 30 years, multiple surgeries, and waking up exhausted every morning — that's a lot to carry. The fatigue you're describing is very real and incredibly common with AS, and it's not just about being tired. It's a whole-body drain that goes beyond what a good night's sleep can fix.

Here are some strategies Show Full Answer

Living with AS for 30 years, multiple surgeries, and waking up exhausted every morning — that's a lot to carry. The fatigue you're describing is very real and incredibly common with AS, and it's not just about being tired. It's a whole-body drain that goes beyond what a good night's sleep can fix.

Here are some strategies that may help boost your energy levels:

Medications & Treatment
- Talk to your doctor about whether biologic therapies (like anti-TNF or IL-17 inhibitors) are right for you — around 35% of people with AS report significant fatigue relief from biologics
- Review your current medications with your doctor, as some can actually worsen fatigue

Sleep & Morning Routine
- Experiment with mattress support and pillow positioning to reduce the pain that's waking you early
- Sleeping on your back with pillows under your knees may help reduce spinal pressure overnight
- Ask your doctor about adjusting *when* you take pain medication so it works better through the night

Lifestyle
- Gentle movement like swimming, yoga, or walking (which you're already doing — great!) can reduce inflammation and improve energy
- An anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may support better energy levels
- Avoid caffeine late in the day and establish a consistent bedtime routine
- Some MySpondylitisTeam members find vitamin D, B12, or medical marijuana helpful — always check with your doctor first

Mental Health Support
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques can help manage pain's impact on sleep and energy

The key thing is to bring fatigue up directly with your rheumatologist as a treatment goal — it deserves as much attention as pain management.

September 3
A MySpondylitisTeam Member

@A MySpondylitisTeam Member; Hi Kara, you asked a question some time ago. You asked if anyone had spinal stenosis and numbness, tingling etc in their legs.
The answer: Yes I do. I have been having this since I was seven years old- now 72. At 7 they didn’t diagnose me with spinal stenosis till years later. I had numbness and tingling in my legs. At the time there
was nothing they could do for any of it! I have had to live with it. Hope this helps so you know you aren’t alone!! To your better health- Drew

September 4
A MySpondylitisTeam Member

Pure O.N.E. multivitamins without iron, 5,000 calories RBST free NAKED brand protein weight gainer, and 1,000 calories Mediterranean diet daily for me. Labs, HR, BP look like those of a 20 year old. I cannot eat enough solid food calories, but most people could trim the liquid calories for their intake needs. I have extreme malabsorption so I have to go big or go home. 😅

September 3

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