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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stenvikm 12/10/2013

Hello I have been really having a hard time at work I feel so heavy feeling I almost fall asleep at my job ,jerking awake everytime I feel I'm losing it. Also when I'm driving and its getting scary mostly when I have to pickup my grandkids. I have not been dx yet but close , I do have ra, and fibro too . My life has been changing fast in the past couple months mostly the fatigue its awful. What does it feel like to you? Thank you and take care.

P.s has anybody had to stop driving?

deleted_user 12/10/2013

No, but sometimes I'm not up to it. Also I often get someone else to drive if I go with someone. It wears me out to drive. It didn't before cfs. When I could still work I sometimes had to leave early because I had to be able to drive the 1 mile home.

Be careful. I don't want you falling asleep driving.

MaxPB 12/10/2013

For the last 2 years I call my sister every evening on my way from work. Mornings are not so bad but in the evenings when I am tired I have driven into oncoming traffic, ridden curves and had several close calls. Talking on the phone helps to keep me awake and more alert.

I also drive like an old lady, some days the speed limit seems like Nascar to me.

Some days I don't get behind a wheel at all, as I know I am in no state to drive safely.

This is such an important activity, especially with your grandkids, please put safety first.

Nina1959 12/10/2013

I've had times I have to pull over and call someone to come get me and leave the car. Not so much because of falling asleep, more because my arms just don't have the strength to drive any longer, even after a rest. I can drive 1 day to the store ( 16 miles round trip ) and then have to wait a day between to drive again any distance. This is why we are moving to a more populated area with the groc store a mile away....
I wanted to ask - have you been checked for sleep apnea? Your symptoms fit to a t.....

DarlaC 12/10/2013

There's also a seizure disorder called Narcoplepsy that you should be checked for. These folks fall asleep, on a dime, and never even feel it coming. There are medications to take to help keep you awake. I only mention this, because it sounds like it's a possibility and it's better to be safe than sorry. You surely don't want to fall asleep while driving.

Most of us, dealing with the "fog" issues have great concerns about driving. When I first got sick with CFS, I quite driving entirely. Not just because of the fog, but also because I didn't trust my arm/leg strength to handle the wheel and pedals!! There are days, my arms and legs get to feeling very heavy and/or weak, and I don't want to risk that while driving.

It's a question we all face! I DO drive. But I very carefully assess my cognitive ability and strength for that day before I decide that it's PERFECTLY OK for me to get behind the wheel!! xoxo

loveandlighttoyou 12/12/2013

Yes, I had to stop driving because my arms are to weak to hold them up to the steering wheel. And the feeling of wanting to shut my eyes. Just the general feeling of total body weakness. Shoot, hard to hold myself upright in a chair most days!
I agree with Nina and Darla...a sleep study might be very helpful

deleted_user 12/12/2013

My job requries driving (I am a freelance reporter). I am looking for a menial job close to home because I almost crashed the other day. So much brain fog and I wasn't paying attention to the light signal......

****Also, since i"m new here please respond to my post about fatigue

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