cfs tip of day
Tip of the Day for August 07, 2003. I get these in my mailbox every day, and sometimes, they are really interesting and helpful to me.
Derek Enlander, M.D., states, "If CFS patients overdo exercise or any physical activity, immediate repercussions typically occur. At times, CFS patients do have spurts of energy and typically overdo because suddenly they can do things. One of the hardest obstacles to learn with CFS is to find balance in all things. Patients walk a fine line regarding exercise and physical exertion. CFS patients have relapses that often last for several days before they recover. I tell patients to follow this rule: "only do 50% of what you think you can do."
from Healthwatch - Treatment Guide 2002 - interview with Dr. Enlander.
Now if I could only get my doctor to realize this. I think she truly believes that exercise will make me better. Since April, I’ve *really* put a valiant effort forth towards that, but I just haven’t been able to increase the amounts nearly as much as she wants, and barely kept up with amounts that seem like almost nothing to me! I have a hard time only doing 50% of what I think I can do - its so easy to just say "Oh, but I feel so good today, I should make up for the days that I missed." Something to work on, right? 
Comments
I am SOOOOOOO qualified to chat about this one!! The advice is totally correct. When you can’t exercise, that hormonal buzz you get when you’re active is like a drug. You keep thinking you can make it spin out for just a bit longer.
Do 50% of what you think you can squeeze out of your body is a good yardstick.
Posted by: Jessica Parker | August 7, 2003 02:44 AM
what a coincidence! i was just going to send you an e-mail, and you posted about CFS, so i’ll just leave you a comment
i realise this will be at the crack of dawn for you, but this saturday at 8;30am on CNN, there’s going to be a doctor on discussing CFS, and taking questions. just go to CNN.com - its on the front page right now.
Posted by: webgrrlie | August 7, 2003 09:03 AM
I am a firm believer in exercise as a cure for all ills.
Posted by: Patty | August 7, 2003 11:19 AM
Patty, yes, exercising is good for most illnesses. However, with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, patients must really be careful exercising. A 20 minute or less walk through Target (along with the stress of a dentist appointment) has put me into a 2 day sleeping spree, where I’m awake less than 8 hours of the day, and my foggy brain has caused me to say the wrong words at least 20 times in the last few hours when E asked me questions. That’s not acceptable to me. When I tried doubling my daily walks to the mailbox, I was so sore for many days afterwards that I had to stop walking at all.
I’m sure this isn’t the case for all CFS patients, but for me, exercise will NOT cure me. It may become more possible to add more into my routine, but it won’t cure me.
You are obviously entitled to your opinion, but making judgement calls like that on my blog about my health is discouraging to me when you can see that I am struggling. Especially on a post where I’ve shared my feelings on this issue.
Posted by: kristine | August 7, 2003 11:03 PM
Hi Kristine,
Just stumbled across your blog when I did a search for CFS blogs
.
Veryt true what you say about excercize and M.E./CFS have found the same myself, I used to be able to excercize regularly but over the years the illness has gotten progressively worse and my body simply will not tolerate it.
UI
Posted by: Gayle | September 3, 2003 08:26 PM
Hi Kristine,
Just stumbled across your blog when I did a search for CFS blogs
.
Very true what you say about excercize and M.E./CFS, I have found the same myself, I used to be able to excercize regularly but over the years the illness has gotten progressively worse and my body simply will not tolerate it.
It is like excercizing with a nasty virus when you have
M.E/CFS it isn’t good for your body if you over due it.
Take care
Gayle
Posted by: Gayle | September 3, 2003 08:28 PM
What I find most frustrating is the fact that one day I can do something, such as walk downstairs to do laundry, and I am fine. BUT, the next time I do it I am on the couch for hours, days.
I had two good days in a row this week, so I of course did too much. I will pay for that.
Posted by: leazie | September 23, 2004 03:24 AM