In my experience, in medical terms, "tired" equals "needs more sleep", and "fatigued" means "possibly needs help"....but BONE-WEARY is a phrase I like to use. I've also gotten good results with the words. I like Weary. Good word!!!

Like Leo, I use the word fatigued, but weary is good also. I rarely use the word tired anymore.

The weird thing for me is that I feel fatigued, but don't sleep well. I think that is strange. I'm up every morning by 4:30. Crazy.

I think people in general (not just doctors) assume when you say "tired" you mean "sleepy"... I know I get that a lot, if I say I'm tired someone will seem to think they are offering great advice to me by suggesting I go take a nap or go to bed earlier. But when I say tired I mean fatigued, or weary, as you said. I do suffer from insomnia but half my battle with that is because I'm not sleepy when I should be, even when I am tired/fatigued/weary. But that's the problem with feeling that way, it's not about sleep because we could get a lot of sleep and still not shake that tired/fatigued/weary feeling.

I will certainly keep the word choice in mind in the future, to use weary more so than tired. Maybe it will make a little bit of difference to get people to understand what I mean more... thanks for the suggestion.

To all ---- THANKS! I like bone weary as well. I've thought of saying SOUL WEARY, translated the fatigue goes through to mind, body & SOUL. However, I hesitate to say that bc then I may be viewed as suicidal.. UGH!

I am weary of being sick all the time. I get good sleep due to Xyrem, and good pain control, thanks to good drs., but still, I am exhausted. No way around it nor to explain it. Missing out a lot in life. Not so many years left. My 75th year is enough to make me fatigued I imagine.

I usually say exhausted.

Bone weary and soul weary, YES! I just learned some new phrases today lol, thanks guys! These explain what I feel perfectly.

~Stephanie~

FIGHTING MAD FINALLY! I have determined, regardless of fatigue, bone weary, soul weary, etc. I AM GOING TO FIGHT! I have rested until I am green hoping that by being easy my body would recover or something.

Just saw 2 more drs and both have said "Exercise, Lose Weight (really??) and reduce stress." I have began an "exercise" program that I can do in bursts of 10 minute intervals then rest bc my back & neck go into spasms (arthritis they say).

This may not "qualify" to them but I'm going for it. What could happen as long as I listen carefully to my body? NEVER SAY DIE! My new motto.

I tell some people how I feel(exhausted after a full nite of sleep) but only if I think they will "get" it. Today I am pushing myself. Slowly, our docs are recognizing CFS. I'm hearing ribose and meyer's cocktail helps some people . Maybe there is a great cure out there.Isabelle1954

Oh, I'm right there with all of you! I'm feeling the fatigue, weariness, exhaustion today. I need to go run up to the store and drug store, and the thought of putting one foot in front of the other is almost too much! Now that's weariness! Hardly able to make yourself do anything. Everything seems too daunting. You just can't explain it to normals.

I think it comes from our bodies fighting this attacker 24/7. At least thinking that seems to help a bit. It's hard, though, to not feel guilty for just sitting around, not doing anything.

Dear FIBROLIZZY - U gave me a very much needed chuckle....NORMALS. LOL I never thought of referring to folks that way. So, we have "normals" and Fmers??? How gr8 to laff! I know one of my best friends is ALS in wheel chair and she can actually see me "deflate" in energy and totally understands as she does the same. I suppose it truly does take 1 to know 1. :)

Hey, FIC....I'm glad I gave you a reason to laugh....lol! We do need that for sure. I'm so sorry about your friend. I think ALS is one of the cruelest of diseases. I will say a prayer for your friend.

Hugs,
Elizabeth

Thank you! Weary or bone weary sounds great! I have a Dr.'s appt. in a couple of weeks and I will remember this! You're right FIC! I've had such a hard time explaining when they ask, "Where exactly do you hurt?" or "Where is your pain level on a scale of 1-10", or "Do you sleep at night??" ARGHHHHHH! Lol! I now know how to answer one of the questions! Thank you FIC and my prayers are with you and all who suffer from this disease.

-Sharon-