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Your SpAce - Fatigue

Managing your fatigue

Welcome to Your SpAce. Here we build skills together to live life with axial SpA.

Your SpAce is for anyone with axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA), including ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or you’ve been living with the condition for years, Your SpAce is here to support you.

This page is focused on managing fatigue. Fatigue is not just tiredness. It’s an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion. It can be physical, mental, or both. Fatigue can be a tricky aspect of axial SpA to get under control. So this page shares tools to manage your energy levels, as well as explain your fatigue to the important people in your life.

We’re a community, so take your time watching the videos and do get involved in the comments sections. We can help each other by sharing experiences and advice.

To visit Your SpAce topics on pain and flares, follow the links below.

What is fatigue? Why do people with axial SpA experience it?

Understanding fatigue

Discover ways to manage your energy levels

Our handy task prioritisation sheet can help you plan your activities. This can take some of the pressure off, while pacing your energy. Download a copy to print.

Download a copy to complete on your computer. Simply download the document, open with your usual PDF reader, click on the text boxes to complete, and then save a copy.

Download our sheet to make a list of restful activities. Keep it handy for those high fatigue days. Download a copy to print.

Download a copy to complete on your computer. Simply download the document, open with your usual PDF reader, click on the text boxes to complete, and then save a copy.

Explaining fatigue to friends and family

If you like the NASS mood wristbands, you can order your own.
Please note, we can only post within the UK.

Ben’s experiences of fatigue

Managing different areas of pain

Visit our My AS, My Life webpage for more detailed advice on managing activities, including: work; home life; studying; and driving.

Find support from other people with axial SpA: Your SpAce meetups

Connect with others by attending one of our free online meetings. They’re relaxed and friendly. An opportunity to meet other people with axial SpA, get support and share experiences.

Upcoming meetups:

You can view all upcoming meetings and book your place.

If you’re new to Zoom, download our simple guide to Zoom.

Explore other topics

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Pain

Discover ways to manage your pain. Understand medications that can be helpful. Hear from others with axial SpA about how they cope

Visit the page

Keep in touch

Sign up to our e-newsletter to keep up to date with upcoming events, NASS news, and personal stories from other people with axial SpA

Find your local NASS branch

Find your local NASS branch for in-person physio-led exercises and social sessions

In your area