FIBROMYALGIA AND CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME
Chronic Pain
| Chronic Fatigue | Depression
| Anxiety
Sleep Dysfunction | Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency
Chronic Fatigue
Fatigue may be controllable or may be overwhelming at times in the same
person. Flares are described as a period of time when the body feels drained
of energy, the brain is on slow mode, concentration and memory are poorer,
the body feels as if it is walking through molasses, and the whole body is
very heavy.
Patients experience fatigue that is usually worse upon awakening and associated with pain and stiffness. For some, fatigue is like walking in a pool of molasses. Fatigue is exacerbated during “flares” which are periods of symptom amplification.
Types of Fatigue
Metabolic Fatigue
– such as hypothyroid or adrenal dysfunction when the body is not able to create enough molecules, another source of metabolic fatigue is mitochondrial dysfunction
Emotional Fatigue
– stressors deplete energy and increase fatigue, over exercising also creates delayed fatigue in some
Disrupted Hypothalamic - Pituitary Adrenal Axis
severe, chronic pain
pituitary overstimulation
(from excess electrical current)
release of ACTH (from pituitary)
adrenal stimulation
excess release of adrenalin and cortisol
(possibly resulting in hyperlibidemia, hyperglycemia, obesity, osteoporosis
poor pain control)
tachycardia, hypertension, high serum cortisol
with time and uncontrolled pain
adrenal exhaustion
(low serum cortisol, "vegetative state", extreme fatigue)
Sleep Aggravating Factors
Sleep
deprivation – sleep apnea and other sleep dysfunction
Hypothyroidism
Low
Cortisol
Menopause
– interrupts sleep
Sedentary
Lifestyle – vicious cycle: as you rest more, the soreness and stiffness
increase
Poor
Nutrition
Infections
Emotional
Stress
Physiological
Stress
Self Care
To increase energy:
Take
frequent 10 minute rests to “recharge batteries”
Eat
healthy foods! Carbs, high sugar, and fatty foods rob you of energy.
Drink
plenty of water
Pacing and Stress Management
Pace
yourself and set limits.
Overworking, over exercising, and over committing
yourself robs you of energy.
Breathing, exercise, yoga, meditation, and cognitive therapy can
all help with stress management.
Sleep Modification
The goal is to wake up refreshed:
Keep
regular hours for sleeping
Prepare
for sleeping
Use
sleep enhancers, including medication, if needed.
Modify Inactivity
Start
low and go slow
Warm
pool movement or other aerobic exercises have found to be helpful
