Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group

If possible get someone else to drive you. Bring lots of snacks. If possible plan for rest the day before and after.

Don't worry too much about it. As you get worn out your memory is likely to go downhill. If it were short they might tell you that you are just fine when you know it was just a good moment.

Thanks. Getting up that early will definitely show my brain in all its impairment!!! I usually get up around 11 and my brain starts functioning a few hours later.

My husband is going to drive me and I am planning to take water and protein bars. Any suggestions for other snacks?

I like your protein bar idea. That was my first thought too. Here are some more ideas, depending on things like energy to prepare them and if they're on hand and stuff.

Fruits and vegetables that don't have to be refrigerated or treated gently....like an apple, carrots, etc. Dried fruit, especially dried apricts that are supposed to be a good source of iron.

Salty and sweet snacks that you can eat a little at a time...like pretzels or nuts and M&Ms. I know those are big no-nos for a lot of people...but when I was still working it helped me get through the day. If it's small pieces of chocolate I could eat less at once and feel a wee bit better, but a whole bar I'd eat all at once and then be craving it again later if it was a bad day. But maybe your protein bar can take care of that sweet craving depending on what kind you have.

Gum can help me if I can't rest. There is something about not being able to rest that makes me want to eat...like my body says it needs fuel for being over taxed. So the gum is great when you are full but still needing something. If you happen to go to the store, I recomend a pack that is minty and a pack that is another flavor you really like.

Overpack your snacks in case you find lunch to be yucky. Sometimes you can't get away long enough for lunch and hospital food is not always great.

That reminds me....a lot of hospitals have Starbucks now. I don't drink coffee, but that was a lifesaver for me when my daughter was in the hospital. I couldn't stand the hospital cafateria food. Starbucks has some great little meals. They have changed over their food so it doesn't have trans fats and icky things. It says something about it on their bags...or at least they did. They have a cheese and fruit pack that I liked a lot. They have a few little sandwiches and will warm them up for free.

Greek Yogurt
cinammon
peppermint (will work just as a scent or as a mint, also.)
ginko biloba
ginseng

Also, one thing that helps me keep alert in hard moments is very sour candy. If I were doing this test, I'd have some in my pocket to take when I felt like I was wilting.

Hope it goes well for you!

Good luck