Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Community

Hi Beth!

Firstly, I'm Karen. A long time member of this board and of WebMD. Welcome to the board, forum or whatever it's called now. I'm glad you found us.

It's hard to for me to say how much exercise I do before it's enough. Right now, it's hard for me to walk far since I'm still sort of weak from the chemo but, I'm back doing pilates and yoga every day. Man, it feels good to stretch these old muscles. I intend to get back to walking 2 miles in 30 minutes. Right now, it's more like 4 blocks in 10 so I'm not doing too good. I do the yard work, house work, watch my 4 yr. old grandson 3 days a week, and generally try to be doing something until it's time for General Hospital.

But, I have a rheumatologist whom believes that regardless of how one feels, getting up and moving is the best medicine. She sort of let me slide through the bad stuff. She, also, started me on pilates.

About the weight gain. I've been pretty slim most of my life but did gain weight, about 25 lbs after being put on depacote. I lost that weight then gained it back and am now losing it again. I have about 8 to 10 lbs to go before I'm back to where I want to be. Losing weight's hard.

Good luck to you. I hope you do start feeling better. Have you been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, as well? My doc believes the two go hand in hand. It might be something to look into.

Take care!

Karen

What a great topic, Beth! I hope that others will chime in.

Hello Beth, sorry I'm so late chiming in. I know how you feel... I tend to over-do a lot, just ask anyone on here, lol. I try to keep to a chore-rest schedule, but just can't seem too. I know yoga helped me a lot.

I think since we are all so different, yet alike.. that whatever works for you, you should do it.

I might try to help hubby outside in the yard a whole day, but only make it until afternoon then crash the next day.

I can't say how long I've had this and the FM, but was dx in 1996. I do think that a persons symptoms can wax and wane. So you might have periods of good time, then over-do, it's a vicious cycle.

Any way, nice to meet ya, I'm an oldie here too.

Huggs,

Kim

Karen,

Sounds as tho you are very disciplined about your exercise. Good f Good for you. (Don't you just hate it when the ads overlap your writing area and you can't see what you're doing? There should be a law...)

I have been wanting to start yoga but just haven't gotten to it. I have a CURVES membership but I hardly go. Much of the time I don't feel like it, and I don't feel it does much, anyway.

I have not been diagnosed with fibromyalgia tho my rheumatologist says I could be on the spectrum. Thank God for him. He filled out the part of my Medicaid form for me yesterday.
Medicaid and Disability are hitting at the same time, and I can't tell you how many forms my lawyer already has. And he sent me two more!

Anyway, I think I'm drifting a bit.

Keep up the fight! Cancer and your other illnesses have got to be rough. But you sound like you get a lot done regardless.

Kim,

Do you have CFS and fibromyalgia?

Thanks for chiming in.

Beth

Yes, I have FM, CFS , Sjogren's and pernicious anemia, all these just blast me at times... other times they lie quiet, like a lion waiting to strike, LOL

Glad to meet ya, been here since, dang don't really know, 5 or 6 years?

Huggerz, Kim

Hello Beth and welcome aboard!!!

Sorry it's taken me this long to respond. Hope that you check in even though this board moves slow.

Anyway, I am just over my three year mark with current physician. The process for me was developing for many years prior and just getting worse. I also have MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities).

My recovery time is far less now than it was 3 years ago. Actually, 3 years ago; I was close to spending most of my time in bed, not being able to walk up the stairs (12) in my home without having to stop half-way up for a rest, feeling like I was going to pass out each time I took a shower and not being able to bend over without being dizzy and the sensation of falling over.

I had been very active for many years, dance, aerobics, working a full-time and part-time job, volunteering at the high school to choreograph the play, walking etc.

I find that my life around activities is like a roller-coaster. Just never know when the next turn will come. One week I may be able to do lots of things and have an easy recovery period but the next week or month, the same activity level requires a longer down-time.

It sounds like you are learning your limits. I believe it is a continuing process. Being a type A personality, it's been difficult to accept limitations. Yet, I believe that I've become much calmer and more willing to say when enough is enough.

Stress levels, for me, play an important part in how I am doing. Whether it be positive stress or negative stress. My body reacts!

Again Welcome,

Kat