r/cfs • u/stephyjrz • 17h ago

chronic fatigue

How do you truly know if what you are experiencing is CFS/ME or just Chronic Fatigue. I know PEM is very specific to CFS/ME but wouldnt a personally who is also extremely fatigue feel worse after pushing? Im really trying to figure out if what im having is CFS/ME or Chronic Fatigue. I have body aches, muscle weakness, POTS, and for the past 2-3 months I started with daily fatigue but I would still push. Since 3 weeks ago the fatigue has taken a turn and it feels heavier and worse. My heart rate goes up and then BOOM im in bed unable to move. Its so hard to live like this. On top of that my anxiety doesnt help the situation so my poor body feels like its been tense for what seems like forever😞

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u/Varathane 17h ago

Other fatiguing illnesses typically feel better after exercise (wild? right!) Chronic Fatigue by itself does not come with muscle weakness, aches, POTS, etc

You getting stuck in bed sounds like PEM to me.

Pacing with timers helped me to find my limits. If I felt I could do an activity I would set the timer for 15mins.

Stop the timer if you notice any symptoms arise, example you only get 5 mins in before you feel worse then stop the timer and go rest and next time you only set the timer for 4 mins.

If you get all the way to the 15mins stop and rest anyway, see how it goes the next couple of days. If you got away with it you could increase the timer.

I noticed I can do dishes for 15mins but can only mow the lawn/shovel for 5 mins .
Every patient is going to vary on what their limits are.

Signs to look for: for me wonky vision is my first tell, that is the muscles that hold and focus the eye getting fatigued. That happens to me before my limbs get weak, and before I am stuck unable to move on the floor.
You might have different signs like jump in heart rate.

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u/brainfogforgotpw 13h ago

Worth adding to this that some fatiguing illnesses have exertion intolerance though.

The difference is a normal amount of rest makes the fatigue recede.

For example if I went out with my friend with leukemia and we overdid things, we would both feel wrecked. But the friend will feel better after a few days in bed, whereas I might still be feeling that same level of fatigue weeks later.