Regarding fatigue.... how you manage your fatigue can be just - or more - important than any drug treatment for it.
We all need to learn to manage our days the best we can when we have those 'packed' days.
Many try to accomplish most of their activity or appointments in the morning when most have the most energy.
How do you best manage your fatigue?
What is the worst time for day for you? Does this alter your life at all ?
Yep! I try to get my important stuff done in the morning or early afternoon. I try to get my workouts done first thing. In my pajamas if I have to. Then by 2:00 or so I need a rest. However I have noticed that if I can manage to drag myself out for a late afternoon walk ( which I rarely do) I feel pretty good after. You know what they say “ it’s hard to get the cart back up the hill after you sit down.”
-Pam
I loved your post. It's so true that we have to do whatever we need to do on our terms. It is so hard to get up after I've sat for awhile. My daughter, who is a trail runner, told me "Mom, just put your tennis shoes on". One step at a time. Doing any kind of exercise really does help the fatigue but when it washes over you, it's hard to believe that.
What workout do you find helpful for you?
I joined a gym class that starts at 9:00 a.m. Before class starts I do 15 minutes on the elliptical. My class is a combination of weights, cardio and general floor exercises. It’s for old people. I am 70. Anyway, I do that 2 days a week and on the other days I usually go walking around the neighborhood, or I will do one of the workouts I have on dvd. Sometimes I meet one of my workout buddies at a park where they have a little course with 150 incline steps. Then a nice little trail down hill. On days I don’t go to the gym I ask myself what exercise I think I can stand to do today. I never let myself think about if I want to do it, because I usually don’t want to do it! Once I get going it feels just fine.
-Pam
Good for you! what motivation you are! I am 74. I love what you said about never asking myself "what do I want to do?" That is so true. I do 2-3 water aerobics classes every week at the YMCA but it's not enough. I do need the free weights or chair yoga. I just can't get motivated to start or even to stick with it when I do it. Ugh!!
My motivation is that I feel like crap if I don’t do anything. My hepatolagist told me that the absolute worst thing I could do is sit around all day. So I try to get after it! Hahaha! So far it seems to be working. I was diagnosed in 2017 and as far as I know I am no worse. So, I tell myself it’s working.
Yep, mornings are best. Today I’m up at 4:30 am to try and get some more work done because once I get home from work in the evening I’m pretty well spent to take it up again. Some days afternoons are tough to keep going, so I will often have an afternoon cup of coffee.
You are so right. I know when I worked 12 hour shifts, as a nurse nurse, work was all I had energy for many times. You have to do what is best for you after getting home from work. That afternoon cup of tea or coffee sounds like a good thing to 'perk' you up hopefully.
Mornings are best for me. I try to make all my appointments then. I also need a nap every afternoon. Fatigue is the hardest part for me. Trying to plan something and then canceling last minute cuz I don’t feel well. Ugh!
Most folks 'do better' in the mornings. Not knowing when the fatigue will suddenly 'hit you', it is hard to sometimes make yourself go to a social event or, as you say, plan something. We all do the best we can but this fatigue is so hard to explain to folks when we don't look any different.
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