People suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and/or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome often have to deal with extreme tiredness, but even worse, their recovery period following physical exertion can be abnormally long. In fact, according to the National ME/FM Action Network, "recovery from reactive symptoms can take a day, weeks or more."
ME/CFS Patients and Exercise
For many sufferers of this illness, an active lifestyle was once a part of their weekly routine, until, that is, they became sick with this often misdiagnosed, or under diagnosed disease. ME/CFS does not discriminate, attacking athletes and non-athletes alike. This can be particularly difficult for people who once enjoyed one or more of the following activities at any level in their pre-Chronic Fatigue, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis lives:
- Jogging
- Swimming
- Yoga
- Aeorobics
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Skiing
- Skating
- Walking
- Other forms of physical exertion
One of the most difficult aspects of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the closely related diseases discussed here, is adjusting to the fact that regular exercise, once a means to feel better, can have a very negative impact on patients, who in fact, respond much differently and often quite negatively to physical activity. Some of those responses to even just a minimal amount of exercise include:
- An increased recovery period, anywhere between a day or two and weeks
- Extreme exhaustion to the point of being unable to function
- Mental confusion
- Sore muscles resulting from decreased oxygen to the muscles
- Decrease in core body temperature
- An ability to reach target heart rate
- A general overall feeling of anxiety
Suffice to say that people with ME/CFS do not benefit from exercise in the way that they once did. The problem is, we have been taught that exercise is a means to feeling better, and often those afflicted continue to push their bodies, thereby causing more, not less occurrence of the above symptoms.
According to the National ME/FM Action Network's Patient's Pamphlet (accessed January 31/2011) before exercising patients should check with their "treating" doctor, so that he or she can customize an exercise program designed to benefit not harm. Even after an exercise program has been designed, it is important that patients continue to self-monitor during exercise. Trust the messages your body is sending to you and listen to them. Some things can be dangerous. For example, if you have any of these illnesses, never try to reach the target heart rate for your age and weight, as your heart may not be strong enough to cope with this.
Arm yourself with a good treating doctor and lots of well-sourced self-knowledge before you begin an exercise regime. Join a support group and talk to others about how you are feeling. Often people, who were athletic in their pre-diagnosed lives feel cut off and depressed when they find they can no longer engage in the same physical activity as they once did. Instead of this realization becoming a cause for depression, find an exercise program that works for you.
Sources:
National ME/FM Action Network Patient's Pamphlet (2011) Dr. Bruce Carruthers, Lead author, ME/CFS Consensus Document
* The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health, should contact a doctor for advice.
Julie Burtinshaw - Julie is the Reading and Literature and Writing and Publishing Editor for Suite101.com. She is also the author of five books and is ...
