The Fatigue of Chronic Pain

Fatigue often accompanies chronic pain. It can add to the distress and frustration of chronic pain. There are things you can do about the fatigue.

The Connection Between Fatigue and Chronic Pain

Fatigue and chronic pain often accompany each other. Sometimes, fatigue can be harder to live with than pain. Fatigue is an overwhelming sense of tiredness, lack of energy, and exhaustion. It is beyond the feeling of being a bit t red. Chronic pain and fatigue share the same pathways in the body. Fatigue is worsened by pain, which can be further exacerbated by fatigue.

How Common is Fatigue with Chronic Pain

Fatigue is prevalent across many chronic pain conditions. About three out of every four patients with chronic pain report fatigue. Some people experience both chronic pain and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). In CFS, the main symptom is fatigue, accompanied by other symptoms such as pain. Fatigue can impact one’s ability to engage in other healing activities.

What Causes Fatigue with Chronic Pain

There are a few reasons, in particular, that may cause pain to contribute to fatigue.

Pain Affects Sleep

If pain affects your ability to sleep well at night, it will likely impact how energized and alert you feel during the day. An awkward sleep position can exacerbate pain. Lack of sleep can increase the risk of chronic pain and worsen chronic pain.

It can be challenging to fall asleep when you are in pain. Often, with chronic pain, your sleep is frequently restless and broken. When you are lying awake in bed at night, there are fewer distractions for your brain, so it can be hard to keep your focus off your pain.

Interrupted sleep means you are less likely to reach the deep stages of sleep, which we need to feel rested and allow restorative processes to occur. The body needs sleep to recuperate, regain energy, and function properly. When you don’t have the right amount of restful sleep, fatigue rears its head.

Pain is Exhausting

Pain is exhausting. Dealing with pain can drain your energy and wear you out, which can then make the pain worse. Pain can also cause a lot of stress, which can exhaust your energy stores. I often think of spoon theory when it comes to chronic pain and fatigue, but you are not just managing your energy but also your pain. Try to plan your day to make the most of your energy while respecting the limitations of your pain.

Pain medication Can Cause Side Effects

Drowsiness or fatigue is a common side effect of various medications that address pain and other conditions.

Pain Can Reduce Activity Levels

If you are dealing with pain on any level, it can impact your activity levels. Feeling unable to participate in exercise is one reason. However, day-to-day activities that get us up and moving about may also become more challenging to complete when suffering from pain. The result of this is reduced movement, which can impact energy levels.

Pain patients are often inactive due to fear of worsening their symptoms; not only does this contribute to the pain cycle, but it also causes fatigue. The less active the body is, the fewer muscles are used, including the heart and lungs; this leads to muscle weakening. This can make engaging in activities more tiring as your body spends more energy on healing the wear and tear of the activities it is not used to.

Stress

The body is not designed to withstand a prolonged state of stress. When your body is stuck in hypervigilance and anxiety, it is under a lot of stress. The body is overworked, which causes fatigue.

Chronic stress can cause dysfunction in the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which results in fatigue during the day and an inability to sleep at night. Pain can increase cortisol levels in your body.

Comorbid Health Conditions

Chronic pain can make you more susceptible to other health and mental health issues. This can contribute to fatigue.

Poor Diet

Without the proper nutrients and fluids fueling your body, it will become fatigued.

How Does Fatigue Affect a Pain Sufferer’s Life?

Fatigue is one of the most debilitating symptoms. It can affect literally every aspect of your life. It can affect your ability to work, engage in daily activities, do activities that reduce your pain, interact with loved ones, do things that bring them joy, and have a good quality of life.

How to Deal with the Fatigue Associated with Chronic Pain?

Checking in with your doctor about your fatigue can help you rule out any underlying causes, such as anemia, nutritional deficiencies, and other conditions. Ensuring that the fatigue comes only from your chronic pain condition is also beneficial.

Ask Your Doctor About Your Medication

If you are taking medication, it’s a good idea to ask your doctor about how you can reduce your fatigue. You may be able to switch medications or how you take your medications. Your doctor may also have ideas on how to reduce your fatigue.

Address Your Chronic Pain

One of the best ways to address fatigue is to manage or reduce your chronic pain.

Monitor Patterns in Your Fatigue

By monitoring patterns in your fatigue, you can identify times in the day when you have the most energy and plan activities accordingly.

Maintain a Good Sleep Routine

Maximizing your potential to get good sleep is essential. Going to bed and rising on the same day each day trains your body when it is supposed to sleep. Winding down before bed and using relaxation techniques reduces the stimulation of your nervous system, which can keep you awake. Making sure your bedroom is comfortable and you have a comfortable position can help you fall asleep. Physical activity during the day can help you increase the need for sleep and help you sleep at night.

Diet & Hydration

Eating energy-rich foods and healthy, balanced meals can help your body fight fatigue. Nutritional deficiencies in the B vitamins, vitamins C and D, iron, and magnesium can cause fatigue.

Hydration is an important aspect of giving your body what it needs to operate optimally. Without the right amount of fluids, fatigue can result. Even mild dehydration can increase tension, anxiety, and fatigue.

Avoiding caffeine can help with fatigue, as it only gives energy in the short term. In the long term, it contributes to fatigue by overstimulating your adrenal system.

Stay Active

Having a regular routine and ensuring you get some movement throughout the day can help keep your muscles strong and build energy. Gradually, building up with gentle exercise can be beneficial for people with pain. Higher levels of physical activity are associated with lower pain and fatigue. Additionally, more vigorous physical activity was connected with lower general and physical fatigue, suggesting that movement is crucial in managing this issue.

Taking Breaks

It’s crucial to find a balance between pushing yourself to be active and realizing that taking breaks between activities is okay. Allowing your body to rest helps it refuel and get ready for the next period of activity, so it’s just as valuable as being active.

Mental Health & Stress

Stress, depression, and anxiety can contribute to pain and fatigue, so getting treatment or taking action to improve these symptoms can help.

Mindfulness and Therapy

There are many ways that mindfulness and therapy can address your pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. You can learn skills to deal with them better. You can process and heal some of the underlying trauma and nervous system challenges that may be behind your symptoms. Ultimately, you can create comprehensive plans for how best to deal with your symptoms.

Conclusion

Fatigue is something that often comes with chronic pain and can contribute to the debilitating effects of chronic pain. There are things that can make it worse and things you can do to reduce your symptoms.