Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) describes a sense of exhaustion and post-exertion malaise, even when you have gotten enough rest and sleep. The disease is characterized by six months of incapacitating fatigue experienced as profound exhaustion and extremely poor stamina, and problems with concentration and short-term memory. The cause is unknown, but it is a...

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This sucks!

butterflii410
butterflii410
Last school year, I did not adjust to getting up early at all. Every day, it took a lot for me to make it through the day. It was awful. The summer was extremely busy but surprisingly, I only crashed once during the 3 months and it was only fo a day or two. I thought that it was a good sign. Today is the 2nd day of the school year and already I'm having a rough time. I am going to bed earlier and sleeping about the same hours as during the summer. I don't want to go through this again! I have an almost 5 year old at home who didn't get as much attention last year because of it and he needs the attention as he has sensory and language disorders. Also, my daughter (who goes to school) has ADHD and possible ODD, which was just diagnosed, is not helping. She's already giving me attitude. 2nd grade (she started 4th this year) was awful with her and I didn't even have any diagnosis or anything at that time. 3rd was better with her. I don't want to go through the school year feeling like this!
triunfadora
triunfadora
Ouch! I feel your pain. I would love to say that getting a certain number of hours of sleep will do the trick, but I have found that, for me, it matters WHEN I get those hours of sleep. I have sleep disturbances and often get into my soundest sleep in the early morning. But, I, like you, have to get up. I wish I knew what to tell you, but I currently don't have a solution either. I am thinking of asking the doctor about a sleep study just in case there is something that could be done that I would get a better quality of sleep. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate and your kids need a lot from you. I know it takes superhuman strength to get out of bed and get through the day. I send you prayers for grace and strength.
butterflii410
butterflii410
Oh thank you Triunfodora! Just a listen and sympathetic ear really helps. I do have a sleep study scheduled for October. The dr. already thinks I have sleep apnea, which I was surprised. But I'm ready for the study and hoping he will find something to help! I think you should try too.
Nina1959
Nina1959
Sorry this is so hard. I can't imagine having CFS and small kids.

So, it might help to figure what's different about school time....
I wonder if you were able to sleep in later in the summer? Or if you could get started more slowly? Is it hectic in the AM and the stress might be a problem?
If so, I don't think more sleep will help as I suspect you have low morning cortisol, which is common in adrenal fatigue..... A doc, either an endocrinologist or a naturopath could test you and if so, could perhaps give you some adrenal meds to take when you wake up to help you get going.
Otherwise the best you can do is to get everything as ready as humanly possible for the morning...
pouty
pouty
After 25 years of cfs and raising a child for 15 of them I would advise you to find a suitable counselor that you can meet something like 2x a month for moral support. Very few people find an overall improvement of cfs symptoms plus with parenting 2 challenging children, you cannot do it alone.
Many non-profit agencies offer counseling, you just have to find them. That means Internet and phonecalls, maybe waiting lists, but is definitely worth it. Most programs are funded for a target group. Know which group you fit into! It will save alot of time! You might enquire about parenting kids with mental health/or disability issues. Or the issue of a chronic illness you have as a woman. Or both. Try to find someone understanding-- there are great people out there that will empower you as a person.Good luck!
AuntTammie
AuntTammie
A lot of people with CFS have reversed or very messed up circadian rhythms. One thing that can help a lot is using a light box as soon as you get up. They are not cheap (around $300) but they can make a big difference, because full spectrum light is one of the things that triggers the circadian rhythm to work right.

Other things that can help are taking supplements that support the adrenal system and sleep supplements to get to sleep earlier. Melatonin is a big one for the circadian rhythm, too, but some people with CFS also have problems with taking this. There are many other sleep supplements that can help, though. Sleep meds help some people, but a lot of us are sensitive to those and are also left really drugged the next day.

Also, getting your cortisol levels tested at various times over 24 hours (you can do this as a home test that you do 4 times over the 24 hours, because levels are supposed to fluctuate and be highest in the morning, lowest at bedtime). If you find that they are too high at bedtime, you can take phosphatydal serine to lowed them and get better sleep. If you are too low in the morning, you can get a prescription for cortisol to take in the morning to help wake up.