In fact, a study published in 2019 in the journal Clinical Rheumatology found more than 25 percent of people who had both psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia-like symptoms were also found to have increased fatigue. “There is a high incidence of fatigue in patients who have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis,” says rheumatologist Soumya Reddy, MD, an assistant professor of medicine and dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and codirector of the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Center at NYU Langone Health in New York City. “Systemic inflammation from psoriatic disease itself, psychosocial factors, the presence of comorbidities such as depression and fibromyalgia, and certain medications may all contribute to fatigue.”
Living With Psoriatic Arthritis Fatigue: Amanda’s Story
These results are not news for blogger Amanda Steyer, who has psoriatic arthritis. “Fatigue is a huge part of living with psoriatic arthritis,” she says. “There are days when I don’t want to get out of bed and I spend the entire day wishing I could get back into bed.” Steyer has a lot of motivation to get going though: She homeschools three of her five children. Steyer was formally diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis at age 41 but has had symptoms on and off throughout her life. “In my early twenties, I was in the process of working with doctors to get to the root of my extreme fatigue and back and leg pain — and then I got pregnant with my oldest child, and my symptoms disappeared,” she recalls. Each of her pregnancies temporarily put her symptoms into remission. But after delivering her fifth and last baby, her symptoms returned with a vengeance. Steyer takes medication to manage her symptoms, but some of her fatigue also appears to be due to her psoriatic arthritis treatment regimen. “My energy levels are better — not fantastic, but much more manageable than when my psoriatic arthritis is untreated,” she says. She can move more freely and even hike with her family, a pastime she’s always enjoyed.
Strategies for Surviving Psoriatic Arthritis Fatigue
Researchers and physicians are just starting to explore the link between the condition and fatigue. “Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic health condition that involves inflammation, and inflammatory conditions can bring about some fatigue as a symptom,” says Christine Alexander, MD, chair of the department of family medicine at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. A recent study found that severe fatigue was common in people who had psoriatic arthritis, and that fatigue intensifies with disease severity. Depression linked to chronic illness and pain could also contribute to fatigue, Alexander adds. Whether your fatigue is due to your psoriatic arthritis, a coexisting condition such as fibromyalgia, or treatment, try these strategies to regain some of your energy. Despite the prevailing idea that psoriatic arthritis and fatigue go hand in hand, you can take steps to put more energy back in your life.
