Positive Reflections
The F Word
Being HIV positive is by no means the death sentence that it once was. The medications we are prescribed allow us to lead fairly normal productive lives. However, in spite of the strides that have been made many of us still struggle with fatigue. It affects our jobs, our social lives, and our emotions.
By itself, fatigue is not a "disease." When persistent and severe, however, fatigue (feeling tired all the time, lacking stamina, having too little energy to do things) can disrupt ones life, interfering with daily activities, socializing, or fulfillment of goals such as returning to work, enrolling in school, or improving life circumstances in other ways.
There is no standard definition or standard measure of fatigue. Being tired all the time may include both psychological components (such as depression) and physical components (climbing stairs tires you out). It is different from apathy, which is loss of desire to do anything, and from oversleeping, which is defined simply as increased sleep time. Common words to describe fatigue include lack of energy, sleepiness, tiredness, exhaustion, an inability to get enough rest in the absence of night-time insomnia, or inability to sustain a desired activity.
Everyone experiences fatigue at some point. It becomes a problem that warrants treatment when it occurs frequently, for sustained periods, and interferes with daily activities. Fatigue occurs in relation to multiple AIDS-associated conditions and also medications, but may also exist without apparent explanation.
Fatigue and HIV
Research studies from our group and others have shown that fatigue is a common and significant problem for a substantial number of people with HIV, and may be due to the virus, to HIV-related medications, or associated health problems or treatments. In various surveys, up to 40% of HIV+ respondents report fatigue, although it is not always persistent or disabling.
When it does persist, fatigue can interfere with many activities Physical activities such as exercise are often reduced, as are social activities, contributing to social isolation and fewer opportunities for pleasant events. People with fatigue may not have the energy to visit friends, or may cancel planned activities because they're too tired to go out.
Fatigue is a common reason for leaving work and going on disability, as well as inability or reluctance to return to work even when ones health is otherwise stable.
Together with other problems, fatigue may interfere with medication adherence, including doses missed for reasons such as falling asleep prematurely or sleeping through a scheduled dose. Fatigue also can interfere with concentration, memory, and the ability to sustain attention, which in turn may interfere with new learning. Overall, persistent fatigue in HIV is common and can be disabling. If you find yourself feeling tired and rundown all the time do not hesitate to speak to your doctor about this. Our doctors are there to help us through these rough spots.