CFS sufferers?

lita

Do you have any tips on how to make it through the day without crashing?! I am really struggling at the moment and haven't got a clue what to do! I have an 11 month old to run around after, my house is a pigsty because I just don't have the energy to clean and am also an Avon rep to bring in extra pennies but am even struggling to do that too. Any advice will be gratefully received.

DanE2010

Heya, I dont have any children but I do know they are hard work at the best of times let alone when you have CFS, everyone copes differently so its all about finding out wat works best for you, took me a while to find that out so try a few things and see how you get along, some people find an afternoon nap helps wheras others feel that makes you feel worse! Starting off slow and working your way up to things slowly also helps, that way you can tell alot better if you are over doing things and come to realise what your limits are alot quicker.
There is a very helpful thread on here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2614091
and also there is info on various other helpful sources on the net in the forum, one you may find really useful is 'foggy friends' which is a forum for ME/CFS sufferers and has a wealth of info on all aspects of ME and also you can connect with people in the same boat as yourself.
Hope this helps!

lita

Thank you, I'm off to read that thread now

Trialia

Lots of sugar and lots of caffeine... I have fibromyalgia, and that's how I stay awake as much as possible.

elaina79

Thats where I am going wrong...I drink decaf. Must switch

Lou_C

elaina79 wrote: »

Thats where I am going wrong...I drink decaf. Must switch

No don't switch....caffiene and sugar are 2 big no nos as they'll only give you "false energy" and do little for you overall.

I've lived with M.E./C.F.S. for the past 10 years and have 3 children, aged 14, 10 and 5.......It's hard going, very difficult to pace when you're little one doesn't want to sleep rest when you NEED to!!!

Although it is extremely hard you need to try your best to pace. Look at your daily routine, what you can manage without "crashing" and make sure you do less. Try having a nap in the afternoon, for me personally this is the only way I get through the day....I only sleep for an hour to an hour and a half, but without that I just cannot function after 2.30/3pm.

Eat well and healthily, rest when you need to (before you need to) and drink plenty of water.

Do you have the support of family and friends, if so make good use of it!!

I could go on forever.

Action for M.E. have factsheets and an advice line, and also would be able to point you in the right direction of a support group nearest to you. For me it was the advice and friendship from my local support group that got me through those 1st couple of years after diagnosis, as they truly understood.

I also got good advice from Dr Myhill who has a website.

If you do a websearch on either of the above you should find the info quite easily, I don't think I'm allowed to post the links on here.

Look after yourself, Lou x

Trialia

Caffeine and sugar may be "false energy", but they do help me.

Wolfsbayne

Trialia wrote: »

Caffeine and sugar may be "false energy", but they do help me.

I've just been diagnosed with CFS though I think ive had it for over 10 years and I have to have a lot of sugar in my diet, I know its false energy but it does seem to be one of the few things that'll keep me going, especially when im not at home and not able to have a nap.

I can't get by without an afternoon nap most days and when I try to force myself to stay awake (before I knew it was cfs) I couldnt sleep at all at night, if I gave in to a good afternoon sleep I could usually get some sleep at night. It's strange.

Not sure about tips with toddlers, I guess trying to have a power nap when they go to sleep might help. Might be worth playing a game of who can get to sleep first in the afternoon and definitely take as much help as you can get.

Mojisola

If you're going to use sugar as a short-term boost, make sure you don't have a problem with candida or you will make yourself worse.

holistic_witch

i've got fibro an awaiting cons app for m.e/cfs diagnosis but have no energy i cant get by without chillin during the day. i've got a 14mth old who's all over place
Same as you house a mess cant cook etc up
i've been up since 1.30 due to neasua an now being sick so know that i'll need to have a chill late morning. My little one still has a sleep so when i put her down i now go too, forget the housework if people are bothere then offer them the hoover and a duster. My DH doesnt do much in way of housework so when i'm upto it i just do what can its a fighting battle all the time

slow and steady wins the race. And dont feel guilty either i used to but its my health so dont any more.

As for caffine and sugar you are better off having regular meals with carbs and protiens for energy make sure that you have breakfast i didnt use to and found i was so much worse. if you dont look after yourself no-one else will and you need to look after your little one too

xx

7roland8

Hi - Sorry to hear you have this - I had it from when youngest was 5 - so not quite the 'baby' stage but a few ideas:

Just do the essentials - concentrate on baby and food for yourself - don't worry about housework or anything else - most important to rest when baby naps - don't rush to do jobs - its surprising how others don't notice -a dn if they do - too bad! I gave up caring (well not really - but no alternative) yrs ago.

With Avon I would get people to phone in orders and possible collect itmes too - save you.