What kind of exercise are you trying? I've noticed about the only thing I can do is walk. I started very slowly. I could only go about 1/4 mile at a slow pace. Now I'm able to go 2 1/2 miles. I can't run, swim or do weights. Walking isn't very strenuous but it gets you outside and moving. I rest and then go on a walk in the evenings when I feel the depression coming on. It helps my body ache less and it helps ease the depression. Good luck:)

Swimming is the only thing I seem to be able to do. Anything else will put me down for a few days and even swimming does me in sometimes. It's frustrating.

It's a beautiful day here and I just want to get out and enjoy it. I just went for a swim and now I'm so tired I can barely keep my eyes open long enough to eat lunch.

I went to the gym yesterday and lifted light weights. I push myself to do this because of a bad scoliosis. I am terrified of getting osteoporosis so I try to keep up with weight bearing exercises. I have been sleeping all weekend since then. It just totally drained me.

I haven't been exercising for a couple of months due to a surgery so hopefully I will get my strength back soon and working out won't cause me such bad problems.

It's called post exertional malaise. It's part of the criteria for a diagnosis of CFS. I think you're pushing too hard.

I walk on a treadmill on an irregular basis. When I do walk, I walk for maybe 2 minutes at a slow pace. I go up and down stairs letting my dogs out.

A CFS patient doesn't get the high that normal people do from strenuous aerobic exercise. Just walk or swim enough to prevent de-conditioning .

I do stretches everyday. It helps me not to be stiff. Whenever I have tried anything that would be deemed "exercise" I have gotten sick - post exercise malaise. I have read that patients with CFS should start VERY slow..like 1 or 2 minutes and continue that for quite a while and then add just another minute or two taking like a year to build up to 15 minutes - if you are able to do that. Everyone is different. Everything I have read, though, says with CFS if you push yourself it will just result in "crashes". I have found that to be true.

Wishing you well!

Based on my experience, it sounds like you jumped right into exercise as though you were a well person. As you found out, that doesn't work with us.

I agree with the recommendation of just two minutes to start, then working up to fifteen. And I would further caution that exercising every day may be way too much for you at this stage of things. Try twice a week.

Patience is not just a wise tactic, it's a necessity when you have CFS/ME. We have to stay focused on what we can do, not what we can't do. If we don't, we tend to get really depressed...and that just leads downhill.

Based on my experience, it sounds like you jumped right into exercise as though you were a well person. As you found out, that doesn't work with us.

I agree with the recommendation of just two minutes to start, then working up to fifteen. And I would further caution that exercising every day may be way too much for you at this stage of things. Try twice a week.

Patience is not just a wise tactic, it's a necessity when you have CFS/ME. We have to stay focused on what we can do, not what we can't do. If we don't, we tend to get really depressed...and that just leads downhill.

Based on my experience, it sounds like you jumped right into exercise as though you were a well person. As you found out, that doesn't work with us.

I agree with the recommendation of just two minutes to start, then working up to fifteen. And I would further caution that exercising every day may be way too much for you at this stage of things. Try twice a week.

Patience is not just a wise tactic, it's a necessity when you have CFS/ME. We have to stay focused on what we can do, not what we can't do. If we don't, we tend to get really depressed...and that just leads downhill.

Based on my experience, it sounds like you jumped right into exercise as though you were a well person. As you found out, that doesn't work with us.

I agree with the recommendation of just two minutes to start, then working up to fifteen. And I would further caution that exercising every day may be way too much for you at this stage of things. Try twice a week.

Patience is not just a wise tactic, it's a necessity when you have CFS/ME. We have to stay focused on what we can do, not what we can't do. If we don't, we tend to get really depressed...and that just leads downhill.

Based on my experience, it sounds like you jumped right into exercise as though you were a well person. As you found out, that doesn't work with us.

I agree with the recommendation of just two minutes to start, then working up to fifteen. And I would further caution that exercising every day may be way too much for you at this stage of things. Try twice a week.

Patience is not just a wise tactic, it's a necessity when you have CFS/ME. We have to stay focused on what we can do, not what we can't do. If we don't, we tend to get really depressed...and that just leads downhill.

that happens to me since i started cfs last april, i was on the gym and one day i couldnt do it no more , the pain and fatigue was bad, until this day i cant not even walk cause then i have to be on rest for at least 3 days, very frustrating and gaining weight

The best thing I do to beat the post exercise exhaustion, is cold showers, they work wonders :)

There seems to be an echo in this place.

You made me laugh, Richie! At least you are sure you got your point across with all of the repeated posts. As for exercise - it's virtually impossible for me. I have tried everything - gentle exercise in the pool, walking, recumbant bike, limited physical therapy exercises - each and every one of these causes severe symptoms - fatigue, debilitating muscle spasms, etc. I even tried leg exercises in bed - found out 5 minutes of that is even too much. I'm now starting to do leg exercises for no more than one minute at a time. I hope I can increase it over time. It's very frustrating, but I can't push myself in any way without paying for it in big time.

You speak to my heart today. Yesterday I felt amazing - for the first time in 2 years I felt AMAZING! I got out and worked with my horse, I went riding, I exercised them, I cleaned stalls and fed and watered, and and and. Today - or tonight - I'm laying in bed hurting so bad I have tears streaming down my face and nothing is helping. I slept for 36 hours straight, woke up to use the bathroom and got online to check in here - where I come when my times are the toughest.

I don't know about you guys, but I ask myself - is this what I have to look forward to forever? I knew when I was doing it that I was over doing... but a beautiful day out, and the first time in 2 years you feel good enough to do something about it. Now - I wonder how long I will pay the price for this "adventure" i took yesterday :(

Not feeling too smart right now - and my hands are on fire as I'm typing this. My sympathy to you right now - and everyone else going through this.