Struggling with Fatigue

[mcglada0]

I’m really struggling with the fatigue that goes along with my pain. It makes me feel so ill. I seem to be able to semi function for a few days then it all goes down hill. I know that lots if you experience this debilitating fatigue and just wondering if anyone has any tips on how I can manage it a bit better than I’m doing. My stomach churns and I feel physically sick.

[mcglada0]

Thanks for your reply and thanks for following my posts. I really appreciate all the support that you’ve given to me. This morning I set my alarm a good half hour before getting up and it did help. I managed to function ( all be not brilliantly ) for most of the day. I hope that I’m not being a pain for posting so much. I just feel that I get so much support from this group and I do try to support others as well. You seem to be getting a handle on your condition. I hope that you are not suffering too much just now although I know that life is not easy for any of us who are in this forum. Take care. Audrey xx

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Good evening mcglada0 I empathise with you and understand it is a hard one isn't it. Pain in it's self will always make us feel tired. The more we try the more we hurt the more drained and tired we become. Some days the pain is less and allows us to do a little more. But then we over do it and we are back to square one. it is a very vicious circle.

It really is trying to get a handle on how to pace our selves and stay within our energy envelope. Sad to say after 30 years i'm still trying to learn to pace myself. But I do think trying to get into some kind of daily routine may help with lots of rest periods thrown in xx

Momo

[mcglada0 in reply to Dizzytwo]

Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry that you too suffer from this debilitating fatigue but it does help to know that I am not alone. Your reply makes so much sense but as you say, the pacing is so hard! I am going to try and plan my days better especially when I feel a bit better. Try to stick to your routine with lots of rest do that your days are more bearable . Xx

[Hidden]

I find the fatigue more difficult to deal with than the pain. Pain I can treat with meds, heat, stretching etc but nothing except rest stops the fatigue.

Pacing helps. I don't know if you work but at home I set a timer, 20 minutes housework, cleaning outside etc, then 20-30 minutes rest. 20 minutes activity, then rest again.

I aim to do just 2 "big" things a day, few times a week. Yesterday I took the car to be serviced ( stuck in traffic so an hour there, only 20 minutes home plus 2 hour wait) then walked the dogs a fairly long walk. Washed me out for the rest of the day.

Ribose is supposed to help with fatigue but I had no success with it. Might be worth buying a small amount to see if it helps you.

[mcglada0 in reply to Hidden]

I really like your idea of using a timer. Fir rest as well because it’s easy to get a bit too lazy when you’re fatigued! In fact the way that you plan your day sounds really good . I’m going to give it a try so thank you. I’m not good with meds and even Ribose made me feel very nauseous! Thanks for your tips and I hope that you keep as well as possible . Xx

[mcglada0]

Last time I had my bloods taken they were fine. In fact gp said that on paper I am an extremely healthy person! 😂 You wonder how that can be when you feel so rubbish .i hope your day is as good as it can be. Xx

[Cazza_L]

Oh I know what you mean by feeling sick when the fatigue is so bad. I am housebound when I go like that. Over the years I have learned that stress is a huge factor when you get the 'can't get out of bed never mind dressed fatigue'. Avoiding stress is easier said than done but I was doing a nursing degree which is stressful now I work part-time. When I was doing overtime in the summer I ended up in a huge fatigue flare up as working too much causes stress Before I was diagnosed I had a fatigue flare up for weeks they are horrible but just remember it should improve with rest. Take care. Xx

[mcglada0 in reply to Cazza_L]

Thank you so much for the positive statement that it should improve with rest. When you’re in the middle of a flare it just seems never ending! I am sorry that you had to go part time but your health is much more important. I realise now that without your health life is very difficult. I was a teacher and battled on, not wanting to admit that the stress and workload was wearing me out. I’m now retired but have quite a lot of demands from my lovely family. So many kind people on this forum have offered me good advice and I am going to use this to try and improve my pain/ fatigue / life.

[mcglada0 in reply to mcglada0]

Ops - wasn’t quite finished! I’m glad that you are getting your fatigue/ flares under control. I hope that you don’t overdo the work and keep as well as possible. Xx

[Cazza_L]

Thank you mcglada0, take care of you x