Hello, I joined here yesterday. I’m currently being assessed to see if I have cfs, but it looks highly likely.
Does anyone have any tips on how to get through a work day while being so tired?
I love my job and so far they’ve been really good but I’ve has a week off just sleeping and really need to get back to work next week.
Any tips would be great.
Look forward to sharing ideas and joining with discussions.
Hi caroline 74621,
I've had this struggle most days for the last few years. First off, can your body tolerate coffee/caffeine? And if so, does it give you an energy boost? My body doesn't like it when I have a coffee, but if I have a cup of tea (about 1/3 of the strength of a cup of coffee I think), then my body can tolerate that, so when I'm feeling especially tired, I just have them throughout the day to keep me awake enough to do my job. I also make a matcha latté in the morning as it contains caffeine but releases it slowly over a period of 1-3 hours.
Before getting my diagnosis from a practitioner, I'd just take the odd day off work/call in sick, but since getting it, my employer said that I can work from home sometimes/when I'm having a particularly bad day (usually about one day every one or two weeks). If you can do work from home with your job, I'd defiitely talk to your employer about the possibility of doing that.
My bladder is terrible, so I have to get up to go to the toilet about once an hour, but getting up and walking to the toilet and back helps me stay awake/keep going. If you're someone who doesn't need the toilet much, I'd say drink more water, then you'll need to go more and most people don't get anywhere near the 2-3L of water/hydrating fluid they should drink every day anyway.
Also, something you might come across online with information about CFS/ME is the difference between low effort tasks and rest. Sometimes, rather than look up stuff on the internet during my lunch break, I'll just sit and stare into the abyss and let my mind wonder. You could do it with your eyes closed, but I find I'll usually fall asleep if I do it that way.
Caroline. Chronic fatigue syndrome may be one of other diseases you own needing perspective as how best to grow tools to improve your life. I suggest you immediately purchase4 sheets of 3 inch wide sheet of memory foam the size bed you want from either Amazon Prime or softer sheets from net. Also take as many soma 30 min before bed such your brain relaxes and you sleep deep on your memory foam bed. I'm curious your age associated with this disease. I've seen much in this life to share.
Hi Caroline, I have recently had a diagnosis of CFS from my doctor and am waiting to go to my local CFS Clinic.
I too love my job and wanted to go back to work. I tried a phased return after been off 7 weeks and it was a massive mistake, I could not do it and found that I crashed and burned after two days of 4 hours, I had a day off inbetween the shifts as well. This was frustrating and upsetting for me. I have now had 12 weeks off work and can't see myself going back soon. It's so frustrating as like I say I love my job, and I have a contract until the end of January so am frightened that I will loose my job ( they are fantastic with me but the job needs doing, so they won't renew my contract)
Please don't try and rush back to work and then try a phased return and see how it goes.
Of course I am not saying that the same will happen to you, I can only say what happened to me.
I went swimming on Monday to try and do something different and something I enjoyed before the illness. I used to do 50 to 60 lengths and this would not affect me in any way. I did 20 lengths and have suffered every day since. It's so frustrating and upsetting.
I hope you manage to get back to work and don't crash. 😁
It's very tricky. I loved my job and did everything I could think of to stay. It became obvious one morning when I couldn't get out of bed (and after that morning I was never the same) that it was not in my best interest to continue working. I think if I had heeded my body's warnings I could have avoided the severity of symptoms that resulted so I want to support you in doing what you think is best if you think keeping your job is best for you. However, if you strongly feel that you're body is saying "NO!" than I would suggest that there might be some very strong wisdom there that shouldn't be ignored. Yes, it's not fun to have to rearrange your life, but if you have family support or some soft place to fall, it will be worth it. It's your health. You might not fully comprehend the value of your health at the moment but if you push yourself over the threshold of return, you will know the value of it then. Fortunately I've been able to keep part of my job and do it at home. It's just a very small part of it but it's something. I live with my folks now. They are getting pretty elderly so I can help here and there. I also sell stuff on Ebay. I miss my job, but I know without any doubt that it was the right decision to leave.
Hi Caroline
Sorry to hear you are not feeling great. May I ask how long have you had your symptoms ? Also what is your job ?To be frank with you , the way you are feeling needs to be taken not lightly. My advice would be to be very careful with a return to work. Pushing yourself , especially in the early period , can be very damaging ending up totally exhausted . I can well imagine you love your job and want to be back there, but you need to look out for yourself at this time .
IF you definitely have CFS/ME, I am sorry. There are varying degrees and I hope you have the mildest. Taking it steady now could make a big difference to the outcome. It is a very complex neurological disease.
I have had ME for 22yrs. I tried three times to return to work before I was diagnosed with it. I virtually collapsed at work. Was off sick a full year and was no better so was forced to take ill health retirement from my job. Paediatric nurse. Broke my heart forever.
Take it steady and I truly hope you are only mildly affected. X
Same with me diann.. I carried on working ignoring how bad I was feeling. I am moderately edging on severely affected and housebound . 22yrs of ME x
Take it steady Tracey . So important not to push yourself too far. Better to do just a couple of lengths and feel ok. Rather than all you did and be out of action for days afterwards. X
Wow.... I'm always a little hesitant to sound like I am being negative but I truly believe that our bodies give us many warning signs for a very good reason. It's very difficult to know exactly what to do to respond particularly because this society is so "goal" oriented. I wish there were easy answers.
I have definitely learned the hard way. I am still struggling with pain and exhausted since Monday.
You are not negative at all Dianna. You are being realistic. X
It isn't worth it is it x
As time goes by you will realise how much you are able to do . And not overdo things too much . It is very hard but coming to terms with your limitations is part of the battle X
Thank you Tracy for your lovely reply. I prefer going to work so not sitting at home bored when I’m having a good 30 minutes! I hope to go back next week and see how it goes. I’m learning a bit about pacing and this is all from my own research on you tube. Look after yourself.
Hi Janet, thank you your reply. You’re right about knowing your limits. My brain wants to do 1000 things in one go and thinks at 300mph my body on the other hand thinks it’s an 80 year old woman! So learning my limits will be the tough bit.
Hi Diana, thank you for your advice. I live on my own at the moment. My boyfriend comes over at weekends and has been amazing. My parents and sister live over an hour away But I know they’re at the end of the phone if I need them (although on a bad day don’t really want to speak to anyone).
I’m glad you’ve got a business working from home. I’ve been setting up a business in network marketing which I love, but it’s gonna take a bit of time.
I go back to work tomorrow so will be talking about how we can work around this which is best for them and my health.
Hi Janet, my symptoms started about May this year, about 4 weeks after I started my job. I’m an office admin, it’s not a stressful job compared to what I’ve done in the past.
I had glandular fever exactly 20 years ago and this feels very similar but what feels like a constant hangover. I’ve cut down dramatically on my alcohol intake to one small glass a week (because, you know it’s a Saturday!)
I just don like letting people down and would prefer to be out working then indoors moping.
Look after yourself and thank you for your help.
Thanks Janet it really is hard, all I want to do is go back to work but it really was hard when I tried before and wiped me out.xx
That's interesting. I was also an office admin (for a church). I wanted to rock that job (and I did) because I loved the idea of working for my church. I was desperate for work and I know the feeling of not wanting to disappoint people. I was good at everything I did there and because I was good, they kept slowly increasing my workload almost without being noticeable. I didn't want to complain and I felt very fortunate to have a job I loved but I started to feel like I was constantly juggling balls and I had to make sure I didn't drop any of them. Even so, I managed to stick it out for 4 years and there were some things that definitely helped me "get by."
1) If you can sleep and feel refreshed when you wake up, it's a good sign. If not, then it helps to make sure you get about 20 minutes of meditation in once or twice a day. Even if you do sleep well, meditation can be crucial to "refill your bucket".
2) Before bedtime, take a couple hours to do things that help you "unwind." Nothing stimulating like computers or action tv shows or reading murder novels or stimulating phone calls or eating large meals. I would shut the tv down by 7pm and read calming books, took a bath, did some yoga, meditated, things like that.
3) I tried to get some kind of body work at least once a month. Accupuncture and naprapathic was very helpful.
4) I stayed away from sugar and anything stimulating like caffeine (tho some people with CFS or CFS symptoms can actually be helped by a little bit of coffee. Drinking any amount of alcohol, however, I think taxes the adrenals. It always made me feel much worse. Also gluten made me much worse.
5) When I would get to work in the morning, I was lucky because I was usually alone for a while. I took about 10-15 minutes to just sit and breathe with my eyes closed and the lights out. I focused on my out-breath and during my exhale I repeated the word "oooouuuuuut". (out) I let all other thoughts just set aside and that really helped me begin my day feeling calm and steady. I think that was one of the most helpful things I did. If you're not alone in your office you can come to work a little early and spend 10-15 minutes in your car parked someplace no one will bother you and do the exercise.
6) After a car accident I knew I needed help and adamantly requested an admin assistant. It made sense to the Board. I was the only one running the office and my recovery time from the accident started to drive home the need for a back up in case of further illness or a death in the family, etc. As it turned out, the person they hired to assist me became the one who took over after I became too ill to continue. I was very grateful for that. I didn't feel like I was leaving anyone in a lurch when I suddenly woke up one morning and couldn't even leave my bed.
I think if it hadn't been for the car accident, I may still be plugging along but in some ways it's been a real blessing that I had the accident. It occurred because I was so exhausted that I ran a red light. The incident forced me to stop pushing myself. Now the current admin at my church is dealing with a recent huge flood so there are flood issues, insurance company nightmares, renting a temporary church space (so she needs to go back and forth while our church is being renovated). Even though she has an assistant, sometimes she's there till midnight! That would have been me... ugh!
Anyway, there are some tips there that may help should you decide to keep working.
That's wonderful! Don't hold back when you communicate about what your body is experiencing and what (to the best of your ability) you think you need. It's best to up front right from the get go so they hear the depth of your situation. They may not really understand but at least if you don't hold back you can say you did your best.
I have a weekend boyfriend too!! Haha... It's good to have someone who is not clingy and desperate for your company, isn't it? 