Fatigue after exercising or physical exertion

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi, I've had the diagnosis of fibro for about 2 years now. The symptoms are mostly mild especially when I don't exercise. But, I know that if I don't exercise or attempt to get into some kind of decent shape, eventually this will get worse.

I am once again for the millionth time attempting to get back into decent shape. My goal is to run a 5k for now. At the moment I am simply run/walking for about 30 minutes a day -- about 5-6 days a week.

This started off fine but after yesterday I noticed that I have gotten the fatigue thing back. This almost always happens after going back to exercise. The first few days are fine and I feel great but eventually I started getting those feelings of fight or flight reactions. This is not normal fatigue and then recovery but once it hits, it tends to stay for about 2-3 days.

For me, this means brain fog, hands, arms, legs buzzing and just a feeling of being run down and unnecessarily so. Yesterday I walked for roughly an hour and did some volunteer help (lifting some water bottles for homeless give out).

If it helps to know, I was in the US Marine Corps when I was younger and have been in fantastic shape in the past before being stricken with this sometime around 2008. Is there anything that anyone has done to help get through this sort of thing when trying to get in shape?

2

When I had to stop walking when an ankle started to fail I went back to swimming after a break of twenty years. I was amazed at how quickly I got my fitness back.

Cheers Richard

3

Thanks, Richard. I did not think about swimming. Appreciate the idea.

4

Harlin, exercise helps me. It sounds like you endured a lot of activity. Walking for an hour and lifting water bottles is quite a bit in one day.

I find that exercise is one of the most beneficial things to do to relieve the symptoms of FM. I keep my exercise limited to the gym, where I can keep track of the intensity and duration. I use the elliptical, lift light weights, stretch and use the sauna.

The other day though, I overdid the exercise. I walked for an hour and I increased the weight. It put me into flare up for about 4 days.

Yesterday I went to my acupuncturist and she helped me get over the flare up wall.

The exercise helps with maintaining some muscle tone and improves my mental outlook. It gives me a sense of satisfaction through accomplishing a beneficial challenge.

I hope you continue to have mild symptoms and keep up the controlled exercise regime. The key is to gradually increase the activity. Start slow and light.

Feel better my friend.