Fatigue

[Jackie0212]

Hi all. How do you cope with fatigue? For the last couple of days I don't seem to be able to do anything and am so exhausted by about 4pm I then sleep for a couple of hours.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Hi, for me an important way of dealing with fatigue is pacing, planning ahead and resting in between tasks.

I often find that I'm exhausted mid afternoon, and majority of the time end up having a nap.

This then gives me a bit more energy for the evening xxx

[MariLiz]

The recent hot weather has left me feeling totally exhausted. So I’ve had no option but to rest, doing the minimum of housework. Now it’s cooled down a bit I’m trying to catch up with things. I can only do it slowly though. My days of cleaning the whole house in one day have long gone! It’s one room at a time, or two windows, and maybe wash the two net curtains another day. If I try and do too much, I know I will pay for it afterwards. Just be kind to yourself.

[Hidden]

You just have to slow right down, rest and sleep-even after 18 years if I overdue things I get fatigue, I find some leg and arm stretching helps, I believe muscles power depleats quickly with fibro sufferers and so need "pumping up a bit" have you got a sheet of excercises for fibro?

[harmony2 in reply to Hidden]

Can you say more about your exercises?

I do find a set of exercises from a past physio helpful in reducing stiffness.

I am interested in your exercises. Thank you

Harmony2

[Hidden in reply to harmony2]

What can I tell you_ I have banister rails in my hall either side, stretching the upper leg muscles at the front -hold onto a secure rail and get your leg up to your bottom at the back, grab your foot and gently pull your foot up to your bottom and hold for a few seconds only to start with - I find i can do this better under the shower holding onto a grab rail as the hot water rolls over the muscle. next one- sit in dining chair and lift leg(if you have a shower seat even better do it there) up straight with your hips, point toes forward like a ballerina pose and twist it side to side slowly this will get the lower leg muscles going,, watching to footy lads work out before a match starts and holding onto that rail again, knee up-outwards and down.. thats enough I think for now..Dont, injure yourselves please do it slowly and buildup

[harmony2 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

Harmony2

[Jackie0212 in reply to Hidden]

No I haven't I didn't know there was such a thing.

[Midori]

Little hint for you; if you know you are going to get sleepy, rest earlier, in the late morning for a couple of hours. This gives the body clock a reset, otherwise you will find you cant sleep at night, therefore effectively making you semi- nocturnal.

Both my son and I have to do this, otherwise we cycle though the days ending up not knowing where we are or what day it is. Zombies 'R' Us!

If you can get a nap in at about 11am till 1 pm, it will help.

[harmony2 in reply to Midori]

Midori and Jackie0212 ,

Well said, Midori!

Daily naps (mandatory for me about 5 years now). Just weighing in with hopes that you know that you are not alone.

Really, really agree with Midori ‘s points:

Don’t wait too late or, in my experience, I feel worse [physically, eg, fatigue migraine, and also mentally/emotionally, eg, I cannot think clearly (worse than normal), and I get tearful because I am so exhausted];

Figure out right duration of your needed rest—though you might be able to sleep deeply for 3 early afternoon hours, for me this is too long as it affects my night sleep.

Set an alarm, get up and have a warm drink or something to hydrate and help you “come to” without caffeine.

I want to acknowledge that there’s a grief process with further debilitation from one’s medical issues. I am genuinely sorry you are feeling greater impact from your chronic illness.

I have cried a lot about needing a daily nap at my relatively young age. Five years in, I still feel this way (though am usually not tearful); I can recognise it does improve my evening functioning.

Some people won’t understand when you say how tired you are; this can feel lonely.

Hoping you feel a little less isolated in the hardness of this as you see members of this community can relate.

Harmony2 x

[Midori in reply to harmony2]

Basically, it's the equivalent of the Mediterranean siesta!

[Hidden]

Same here with the hot weather, it’s zapped me totally.

Anniversary of my partner’s death today, dragged myself to walk somewhere I thought might be peaceful, and I’ve managed to lose my prescription sunglasses!

Too tired to even think what I can do....blinds closed, tea on tap and hopefully sleep.

Sorry I can’t bring forth any helpful suggestions. I’ve tried every supplement going, none have helped.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi hun sending you a PM about getting some replacement precription sunglasess (we ar not alowed to advertise on the forum)

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.

[vespatone]

Hi Jackie, I have chronic fatigue from the moment I open my eyes after a sleep "anytime". Of everything that I have its the constant feeling of walking through treacle whilst looking through thick fog after running a marathon (fatigue ) that's the worst.

What makes it worse is whenever I mention to others about the fatigue it's the way they say "not getting enough sleep " or "burning the candle at both ends are we?". . . They have no idea how bad it is.

I try to do little things whenever I can, like collecting the washing together ready for the wash. Or just swinging my legs out of bed and putting on my socks and underwear (if I'm really on a roll I may even sit in the shower first).

Don't rush at anything, Do only what you can without exhausting yourself ( push to hard an you'll pay for it). If you've cleared the table, maybe run a sink of water and let it soak for a bit before trying to wash up.

Many times I've pushed to hard that the first time I sit I'm asleep before my bump hits the seat (lost count of how many times I've either tipped my drink over me or woken to a mug of cold coffee).

Each day without fail I'm in bed by 2.30pm to waken at 5.30pm.

Fatigue isn't just being tired it's pure exhaustion and pain without having to lift a finger. . .

I really feel for you and hope I've given you a few ideas on coping.

Do you know what is causing your fatigue? Find the cause you'll then find a treatment. I hope.

Good luck. Tony.

[harmony2 in reply to vespatone]

Well described!

[Jackie0212]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'll try some of your ideas.