Fighting Fatigue: What EULAR’s 2023 Guidelines Mean — and Where to Find Help
Fatigue and brain fog are among the most frustrating symptoms of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. They can affect work, relationships, and independence as much as joint pain does — yet they’re often invisible, misunderstood, or brushed aside.
That’s finally changing. The 2023 EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology) recommendations call fatigue what it truly is: a core, treatable part of inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (I-RMDs).
EULAR’s expert panel reviewed years of research and agreed on a few key points:
- Fatigue is real and deserves routine attention. Doctors should ask about it, track it, and treat it as part of disease management.
- There’s no one-size-fits-all cure. The best results come from combining physical activity, psychological support, education, and when needed, medication.
- It takes teamwork. Managing fatigue means looking at the whole person — inflammation, sleep, mood, pain, and lifestyle — not just lab results.
You can read the full paper here: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 83(10):1260.
The good news: several major arthritis and autoimmune organizations now offer free, evidence-based online tools to help you manage fatigue and brain fog.
The Arthritis Foundation (US)
- Fighting Fatigue & Brain Fog Webinar
- Arthritis and the Body Webinar
- Causes of Fatigue in Arthritis webpage
- Stress-Busting Tips for Difficult Times
Arthritis UK (formerly Versus Arthritis (UK)
- Managing Fatigue Online Learning Program
Co-designed with patients to teach pacing, prioritizing, and realistic energy management.
Autoimmune Association (US)
- Managing Pain and Fatigue Webinar
Expert discussion on coping strategies for fatigue and chronic pain across autoimmune conditions.
The Arthritis Society Canada
- Overcoming Fatigue Learning Program
- Overcoming Fatigue (PDF)
- Are You Ready to Deal With Your Fatigue? (PDF)
Structured learning and printable tools to plan rest, pacing, and activity.
Arthritis Australia
- Fatigue and Arthritis webpage
Comprehensive overview of causes, management tips, and pacing techniques.
Resources on Fatigue By Chronic Eileen
It’s Not Just Joint Pain: Fatigue and Cognitive Dysfunction in Rheumatic Diseases
It’s Not Just Joint Pain: Sleep Issues in Rheumatic Diseases
How I Explain Chronic Fatigue to Those Who Don’t Have It
Why It is Important To Be Protective Of Your Energy When Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis
How to Know When You’re Overdoing It with Rheumatoid Arthritis
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