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I can walk far without feeling exhausted this includes any extra movements! I have had two disc replacements in my neck over two operations

A MySpondylitisTeam Member asked a question 💭

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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Reactions
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

Shane, I have the same problem
with energy. I wrote earlier that I eat Dark chocolate expresso beans in the morning to help me with energy in addition to the vitamins I take. But now after seeing gastroenterologist I am told I can’t have caffeine, chocolate, and spices, coffee, cola products, NSAID’s, and the like. I don’t take that much at all. I am hoping I still get to have the limited amount of those items I eat/take.
I am finding I have to do other things now to get energy and its very difficult So I would be as interested as you are to find what could help get energy when the things we relied upon no longer serve us- Drew

September 21
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

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