The CFS quiz says I can’t have it bc I have other conditions (like fibromyalgia). My doc
is doing a sleep study, I guess to rule out sleep apnea first. I have such overwhelming fatigue it’s almost paralyzing ~half the time. I feel like most doctors don’t listen to me it’s been getting worse since it started several years ago, brushing it off by saying just follow sleep schedule and exercise. It’s not possible with how I feel. When I exercise I’m done for the rest of the week. Not sure if I’m looking for advise or support, any thoughts from the community
Lemon, I have that kind of fatigue, but I am much more fortunate because I do not have it nearly 50% of the time. those episodes only hit me a few times a month at most, and I have actually gone over a month now without one, so they are infrequent. Despite all of the things I do to manage FMS, this is one thing that still happens.
I will say, though, that my general feelings of fatigue are less severe these days and I sleep a lot better due I think to the various things I do. I also think for me that fatigue is greatly related to my state of mind and if I can keep busy doing something I am engaged in it is less likely to hit me hard. Movement of any kind, no matter how I am feeling, seems to help as well.
That's just me, of course......your body and situation are different. Just wanted to say I understand what you mean about fatigue being so heavy it is almost paralyzing. I wish for you to find the right combination of things that may help you with this.
Remember that exercise doesn't need to be going to a gym or running a few miles. Exercise is just moving your body in any way you can when you can. So, if you hear a song you like, dance for a few seconds! Just a little bit. Later, take a short walk. Like, 5 minutes. Then do a little stretching, or two hatha yoga poses just before bed. It doesn't have to be a "thing", or one half hour steady or anything else specifically, just a reminder to yourself to move about when you can.
As for sleep -- I sure wish there were a one size fits all aid for that without heavy drugs. Having had a sleep disorder all my life, I am very well familiar with how hard it is to find a solution and how badly it messes with your whole life if you don't get enough sleep on a regular basis. I found what works for me, and now I sleep every night and unless pain is so bad that night that it wakes me up, I usually get enough sleep. I sincerely wish for you that you find a solution as well.
I don't understand why some doctors won't diagnose ME and FMS together. They are not the same thing, so to say a person cannot have both seems ridiculous to me.
