I definitely understand the overwhelming fatigue of CFS. Just recently got diagnosed after over a year and a half of testing to rule out most everything else. I don't have the body aches/pains, don't have Fibro, but one of my best friends has both. It's frustrating when you can't do the things you want... can't plan anything because don't know how I'll. I used to be social, bubbly and outgoing but am just a shell of that anymore. It has led to a deep depression which I am prone to anyway. Am getting ready to start TMS on the 27th for the depression and I hope it helps.

I know what unrefreshing sleep feels like. I can't function unless I get about 10 hours a night but even though I usually manage that, I still always wake up tired and fatigued. It's been 30 years for me now and the frustration never completely goes away, but I have learned to manage it. Like bethelbee, I'm thankful that I don't have the pains either but I am now basically house bound because of my level of fatigue. I battle with depression from time to time and manage to live with it the rest of the time. I hope that this group is able to give you the support you need. We certainly do understand where you're coming from.

I understand. Even after what feels like 8 hours of deep sleep I'm exhausted getting out of bed and going to the kitchen. Like most everyone I use caffeine and sugar to keep moving. Just so tired of being so tired....

Wish I could get 8 hours of sleep, not that it would help that much. Some nights I can sleep 6 hours straight through. I'll usually wake up anywhere from 6-7:30. If closer to 7:30 I'll get up , take care of the cats, grab a banana or something then try to get back to sleep. Sometimes I can, other times not, so I'll just lay in bed and read a while and not get up again until 11 or later.
Started taking B12(my level was really low) a few months ago and for the most part I don't have the total overwhelming feeling of fatigue. Still fatigued every day, just not quite as intense. Haven't slept well the past few nights; am starting TMS on Monday and am really anxious about it...
Tired of being tired, depressed, anxious, and lonely.. have been more irritable also.

I understand and I really do feel for you. I only had 3 yrs sleep last night and today I'm pinned here in my bed in a half dead body. I hate it. I'm very depressed. Can barely move...Very weak & in pain. It's hard to accept. Love & healing to you.

Thank you for the support. I am grateful that I am sleeping better the last two nights & getting a little more accomplished during the day. I got out of the house for a few hours yesterday. Yay! Prayers for each of you as you do what you can to improve and/or accept your limitations.

For me, I take Magnesium at bedtime. This helps me get rested sleep for when I only get 3 hours of sleep.

Yes, I've taken slow-release magnesium for many years. It helps with all the thrashing about I do throughout the night.

I take one or two mg melatonin plus magnesium to sleep. It's helping, thankfully. Currently taking MagEnhance, plus one more magnesium. just fyi. I haven't been able to work in 2 years; and my sleep is finally beginning to normalize some. But I still wake up with fatigue and often dizziness and/or vertigo.
Non-restorative sleep is definitely the definition of CFS.

I most definitely understand.
1. I take magnesium so it can give me that deep, restful sleep so I wake up refreshed.
2. I've invested in some good vitamins that I take at least every 3 hours.
3. I do deep breathing exercises
4. Sometimes I feel more lethargic than usual so I take a little bit of electrolytes and feel this helps me. electrolytes are depleted thru the urine also.
5. I'm in bed by the 9 PM hour and get 6-7 hours of restful sleep at times.
I really try to keep the lethargy down becuz that feeling is so debilitating.
Certain vitamins are depleted thru the urine so taking vitamins all day really helps me.
I hope this is helpful.

I always wake up after a few hours and could only get back to sleep after taking 1/2 of one mg of Xanax.
All other OTC SLEEP meds or Rx's leave me at partial coma status the next day or more.
Xanax gives me bags under my eyes that have grown into creases. If I stop for a week the skin tightens back up- but I cant stay up all night- so I've been experimenting forever on a replacement.
Last 3 night's been taking 1/2 of a benadryl OTC sleep pill(Walmart equate brand) and another half at 3 am wakeup.....and it's working.
I really like this route because the box says take 1-2 every 4-6 hours , so there is no residual in the a.m. !!

I don't think I've tried electrolytes. I've tried so many things over the years. Energylost, so you mean a Gatorade type drink? I used to take one Benadryl, or diphenhydramine hydrochloride, every night, but I read that long term regular use can increase your risk of developing dementia. Now I only take one if I can't fall back asleep in the middle of the night.