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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managing remission phases

MaxPB
MaxPB
I think I'm in a remission phase. That's good news RIGHT?!?

Not so much when you are just a touch bipolar. Usually my 'remissions' coincide with bipolar upswings. I don't get manic (thats type 1, I have type 2 BPD), my upswings are usually characterized by higer than normal levels of energy and a mental drive that usually has me pushing myself right back into a crash.

This time I'm not feeling that BPD high. What has changed is that most mornings I wake up I don't feel sick. I'm alert, energy is good, not in pain. I still wear out pretty quickly and find I don't have a high level of muscular strength but I am finding that there is some recovery later in the day so I've been able to work longer hours and am going to sleep much later. I also seem to recharge after only 2-3 hours of sleep, in fact I am now struggling to get more than that per night.

I can't shut down and vegetate, but I can't go full speed ahead. Unfortuantely I don't have a medium speed button, its either all out or nothing at all. So, I can't do the things I can do when I'm on a BPD high, I can't do most of the things I want to do.. I'm just REALLY frustrated.

I think also that my headspace has adjusted to being sick to the point where I'm not quite sure what to do with myself when I'm not.

Can anyone identify witth these challenges? How do you cope?
deleted_user
deleted_user
My fatigue seems to be cyclical.although lately the fatigue spells are lasting way longer than the remissions.Have you had your thyroid checked? I recently found out I have Hashimotos and learned than many people that have been diagnosed bipolar 2 in fact have a fluctuating thyroid instead.Just wondering .Are you asking how to preserve your energy so you dont burn out?...hmmm..not sure..maybe try and get more sleep even though you are refreshed after a few hours.....take walks,plan some quiet time.and just try not to use it as a "make up for lost time" type of thingy where your trying to do too much.Good luck to you..:)
Nina1959
Nina1959
I've had this thing for over 20 yrs and have had long periods of remission as it were. These are the times you try to just mellow out and enjoy life as much as you can. If you can take walks, that's a good way to balance out your energy. If you can find a place to swim, all the better. These times can be frustrating because you know it's going to end eventually but think of them as little gifts. Do what you can to make some great memories for later. Take a day trip somewhere great, feed your mind while you can. Write down the good stuff and how long this lasts to keep track and think of it not like an up or down like an elevator but more like a gentle slope. These are the times to enjoy life as much as you can :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
Each time I have had major improvement I have quickly driven myself back into a crash-this last crash has lasted 8 months with no let-up. I have promised that next time (if there is a next time) I will do things differently. I hope you can get the mania under control so that you can pace yourself-pushing so hard is really dangerous.
MaxPB
MaxPB
Thanks for the feedback guys. Ironically I have a day trip planned for tomorrow. I have a bit of trepidation though because its been years since I've been on such a trip and I just hope I hold up well.

Working on the hypomanic thing, there are so many things I want to do..having a hard time figuring out what I can do without precipitating a crash so not doing much right now .. driving me crazy...