Thanks for your great description of post-exertional malaise. You’re right that it’s the thing that haunts those of us with CFS/ME. I don’t know why the descriptions of CFS don’t emphasize it more, because it’s really the defining characteristic of CFS.
After several years of living with CFS/ME I have learned to be careful to pace myself on my good days so that I don’t overdo, to stay within my “energy envelope.” The problem is that it’s an ever moving target. Also, I can go from fine to over-tired in moments without warning, often at an inopportune moment, like when I’ve filled my grocery cart and still need to check out, or I’m in the middle of a haircut. Or sometimes there are situations when you just can’t stop and rest when you need to. For instance, a few weeks ago I had to take my husband to the emergency room, and we were there for several hours. I knew that I’d have to pay for that one, and I have. I’ve been housebound and mostly bed-bound since then.
For me, the “malaise” usually feels very much like having the flu: all-over aching, feverish feeling, chills and sweats, and exhaustion. I even wondered if I might have caught the flu in the ER, and then thought, how would I know the difference?
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Thanks for your great description of post-exertional malaise. You’re right that it’s the thing that haunts those of us with CFS/ME. I don’t know why the descriptions of CFS don’t emphasize it more, because it’s really the defining characteristic of CFS.
After several years of living with CFS/ME I have learned to be careful to pace myself on my good days so that I don’t overdo, to stay within my “energy envelope.” The problem is that it’s an ever moving target. Also, I can go from fine to over-tired in moments without warning, often at an inopportune moment, like when I’ve filled my grocery cart and still need to check out, or I’m in the middle of a haircut. Or sometimes there are situations when you just can’t stop and rest when you need to. For instance, a few weeks ago I had to take my husband to the emergency room, and we were there for several hours. I knew that I’d have to pay for that one, and I have. I’ve been housebound and mostly bed-bound since then.
For me, the “malaise” usually feels very much like having the flu: all-over aching, feverish feeling, chills and sweats, and exhaustion. I even wondered if I might have caught the flu in the ER, and then thought, how would I know the difference?
November 12, 2009 - 5:49pmThis Comment
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