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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/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group

Rise and Shine - Not so Much

PolarBear427
PolarBear427
Hey there,

I was just wondering if any of you have a hard time waking up and getting out of bed in the morning. I used to only sleep about 7 to 8 hours, but I find myself needing at least 9 or more hours now and I'm prying my eyes open and making myself get out of bed. I first noticed the change when I started taking Cymbalta 60 mg. I take it in the evening. Now I have added Opana to the mix. I am not sleepy during the day; however, and I take Opana in the am.

I'm asking this because I'm wondering if my illness is getting worse. When I have mentioned it to my docs they say it is good I am getting the rest.

I'm just not used to being this way I guess, lol.

Hugs,
PolarBear
Ali5tair
Ali5tair
Yep, I used to start work at 7 AM but since I have been sick its hard to get out of the cot by 9 AM or 10 AM. Having a helpful responsibility like feeding the kids breakfast helps. A very well experianced Specialist educated me last year about sleep and the sleep wake cycle. Basiclly he said that both were habitual behaviors. He encouraged me to face the sun whenever I wake up and eat my breakfast. Sunlight shining in your field of view helps trigger some release of hormonal chemicals which assist in the forming of good habits. Dont feel bad about the need to 'sleep in' though. I frequantly have very intermittant sleep at night, often lying awake in bed all night and not even being able to go to sleep until dawn. This just adds another layer of exhaustion into the CFS mix. Rest and quality sleep are a premium. I've tried sleeping tablets, yuck, so many unwelcome side affects. Melatonin is the only thing that I have found to work, melatonin is produced by the pineal gland at the back of the hypothalmus. HPA axis organs are frequantly found to not be operating properly or damaged in CFS patients.
Hope it helps
Al
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hey you guys! That is good advice Ali5tair - thanks. I read that as we age our melatonin levels drop also. I am going to try the melatonin and see if it works. I long for a good nights rest...so bad. I havent had one in so long I forgot what it was like. That is not good.
Does anyone or (Ali3tair, since you wrote it) know what HPA axis organs are?
Polarbear...When I took Cymbalta I took it in the morning - did your doc tell you to take it at night as a sleep-aid - it does raise your seritonin levels - seritonin induces sleep.