Post-exertional malaise really sucks

Posted on March 25, 2008
Filed Under CFS |

In case you’ve never heard the term before, post-exertional malaise is basically the technical term for the delayed fatigue that afflicts ME/CFS sufferers. And when I say ‘fatigue’, I don’t just mean feeling a little tired: I mean laid flat-out on the sofa for hours, aching in parts you never knew you had. Such was my afternoon…

I had to go and see my GP this morning. Usually when I go out I experience an increase in anxiety, which then amplifies all my other symptoms. But today - for the first time in months - I actually felt reasonably okay. So while I’m waiting outside the surgery for my taxi to take me home I decide to take advantage of my new-found health by walking the 50 metres or so to the shops and back again. (That might not sound much, but it’s a big deal for me.) By the time I got got home I was still feeling okay. Wow, I’m thinking, maybe my health is better than I thought it was. So I decide to enjoy my new-found energy by doing some housework. When that’s finished I cook some lunch, tidy up afterwards and relax in front of the TV.

Fast-forward several hours and I’m still on the sofa, arms and legs aching, head aching, back aching, just about everything aching. The CFS Strikes Back! When will I learn? And why is it so hard to follow my own advice? I know I’m supposed to pace myself and not overdo things. But when you’re feeling good, it’s so hard not to enjoy it while you can, even if it means you might pay for it later. Ah well, at least I got my five minutes of relative normality. Here’s to the next five.

Comments

2 Responses to “Post-exertional malaise really sucks”

  1. Silver Huang on March 26th, 2008 1:09 am

    That’s the spirit! Don’t enjoy any moment less simply because you know the next moment might have you flat on your back.

    Personally, I’ve always felt better for just DOING the stuff I normally wouldn’t be able to do. Totally knocked out but with a BIG smile on my face :)

    May the malaise pass swiftly dude!

  2. Jon on March 26th, 2008 3:12 pm

    Thanks :) I woke up this morning feeling like I’d been hit by a truck but several hours immobile on the sofa seem to have improved things a bit…

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