Relapses - how long can they last?

Brain and nerves
1

Hi, I am currently gong through a relapse and wondered how long it might last (I know everyone is different) but I would be interested to hear anyones experience of them.

2

Hi flowerpot lady, everybody is different and even in one person, the relapses can be do variable. From my experience relapses can last from a couple of days to months at a time. I had a bad relapse last February after being so fit, running and weight training where my muscles became really weak. I then had 9 weeks off work last December and i am now only just beginning to work towards getting my fitness level back again.

C.

3

Thanks Caroline, Did your body show any physical  signs of stress before the relapse ? ie. I have a very bad rash on the back of both hands and my arms, my sleep pattern has relapsed back to waking multiple times in the night and my bowel movements are noticeably slower.

4

My relapses are triggered by over exertion both physically and mentally. Little enough effort to others. Sometimes I deliberately overdo it when the cost seems worth the candle. Immediately after I give in and do very, very little until recovered. I have a very supportive wife and can do that. The ill effects last two or three days. It is quite obvious when I recover.

5

Thanks George.

6

I have also managed to get my relapses down to days now and I had gone over 3 months without any problems and then I had a bad day but I bounced back. Unfortunately as others have said everyone is different and it depends how deep you have gone.

7

Thank you :-) I was doing well but ignored the physcial signs that something was afoot and then before I know it Im off my feet and in bed. Im day 5 now and do seem to be getting stronger gradually (My crashes are 3 days most times) so I knew this was worse.When I tried G.E.T. I relapsed then for 2 weeks. 

8

Yes I have been through very stressful times at work which have reflected in my health and well being which culminated in my diagnosis of fibromyalgia. My last major relapse happened overnight. I was fit, back to weight training, pressing 79kgs on the leg press then literally overnight I was unable to use my Pilates machine with the lightest resistance. I have struggled at times, barely able to walk and problems with my nervous system, tingling, numbness, tachycardia. I have to pace myself and even though I now work part time and have shortened my working day I still crash with fatigue. On a good day I overdo everything but it takes me a couple of days to recover; even sleeping or resting for 17 hours or more; otherwise like last night, I am unable to sleep at all !

Caroline x

9

Hi Caroline,

I would like to know how you got your CFS under control enough to be able to work out and function normally to begin with. I can't even imagine doing that, I have been dragging myself through my days for so long, years I'm talking about. Was there something in particular that helped you get better?

10

So sorry Caroline, its a monkey of an illness hey xx 

11

This question goes out to all of you actually,who speak of relapses. How did you get well enough to know the difference? My whole life consists of dragging myself through the day, and praying everything

won't hurt, feeling embarrassed and ashamed because I barely function as a person and a mom. So does anyone have any idea of what helped you move beyond this stage, because I've been here for years. Rest, sleep, vitamins, antidepressants, medical care, all I can do, but I still can not function normally.

I would give everything I own to wake up with just a little bit of energy and to feel ready for the day ahead.

Any input on what changed things for anyone here is welcomed.

Thanks

12

For me there were two aspects to knowing I was getting better, my brain was functioning again so when I started if I could finish a Suduko puzzle I was doing good,, but typically it took me over 30mins I think my record is now about 6 min for a moderate puzzle. I worked on my brain first because that was easy to do when resting.

As to doing things that came via pacing. I have found that giving up work and doing everything at my own speed as much as possible. I have tried to take all stress away so I feel much more relaxed. Then I started on a graded exercise programme and so far everythingis working very well. I have no family to look after so that is why its easy for me.

13

I use to drag through the days as well until I stopped, looked at how I was spending my energy amd worked out how much energy I could spend without feeling too bad. Then I did no more, which meant things didn't get done.

Once I got to a place where I could function I then very slowly started to increase my activity level. 15 months later and I can ride 18 miles, that would have been unimaginable 2 years ago

14

Thank you for your reply. Any info is helpful. I am glad to hear that you have had some success in dealing with CFS, and wish you good luck in the future

15

Hi again! I have been fortunate enough really that I have been able to work and to exercise even if there have been times when I have struggled even to do 2 minutes especially with pain and tiredness. I do eat well, mainly vegetarian and very little processed foods. I incorporate super foods into my diet and rest when I am able to. I can also relax at home as I don't have a young family or partner to look after; just my 2 cocker spaniels. I also changed my car to one with lighter steering and better suspension which has made a difference especially to my arms. To be honest I have found fibro to be very unpredictable, even form morning to evening. I'm unsure whether anything can truly make a difference. For me, it's less stress, gentle exercise and eat clean. At the moment I'm trying maca and matcha as well as the usual magnesium, vitamin D etc,

Caroline x

16

I find if I get a relapse as a result of over exerting myself (as I had to do last weekend) it can be several weeks before I get back to "normal". That's MY normal, not what any fit person would call normal - I never achieve that.