Sorry to hear that, mgobleu. I have ME/CFS. If you have muscle stamina and muscle ache issues after fairly light activity for 2 or more days (during weeks when you are symptomatic), then you might have ME/CFS. Otherwise, maybe fibro? I don't know that much about fibromyalgia because I don't have it. I would need more information to form a personal opinion of whether you might have this illness. The website healthrising.org is very helpful for a better understanding and keeping up with news. There are a few great ME/CFS organizations like the one Ace is raising money for.
When I started getting it, I would have some weeks on and some off. Keep getting educated on this illness to determine if you have it.
I won't repeat some of the information I put in a long response to mgobleu. Please read my response to him for a little more info. Good luck.
Boliver, I am very glad that Ace is consulting with you about your wife's health. I have ME/CFS and have mostly had it at a heavy-moderate to moderate level, but not severe.
With your understanding of the spoon theory, you sound like you are trying to learn and be there for your partner. That's all good.
Do watch the 2017 movie Unrest. For the next few days it is streaming FREE from your PBS TV station. As Ace said, the director, Jen Brea, largely created it from bed. Currently, it is on the 15-documentary shortlist for Oscar consideration. It's that good. (PBS TV schedule might list it as INDEPENDENT LENS, their series of independent films). Brea may have a worse case than your wife, with more sound and light sensitivity, for instance.
There is hope. Ace's dad is one extreme example. I am currently doing better than past years due to diet, medication, and pacing myself. Everyone's condition has some core similarities, but also can vary in some ways. Many people with ME/CFS at a moderate level have deep muscle aches for days after a light activity. The illness affects cellular metabolism and a number of body systems.
I still have ME/CFS, but at a lightly moderate level. I was worse---pretty much where your wife is now. My legs used to feel leaden just from walking up a flight of stairs (or much less). Also, muscles feeling more sore (all over) for about 3 days or more after light exertion versus one day or no days when healthy. Difficult to concentrate. Watching TV was too stimulating after a little while. I felt guilty a lot for not helping my spouse enough with daily stuff and for not doing as many activities with my kids as I wanted to. I did not have the extreme sound sensitivity or light sensitivity that some patients have.
Do watch the very well made documentary Unrest. For the next week, it is streaming free on PBS TV. Everyone should watch it for awareness. People in med school should watch it twice.
Do go to go to healthrising.org (not .com) for more info. It has great articles and a forum for patients and caregivers. Maybe you or your wife already have been there.There are a few other great organizations regarding this illness.
There is so much information to convey. Again, I am glad Ace is consulting with you. If you and your wife want to reach out to me, feel free. I don't know how to provide a text or email link tho.
Good luck to you both from Grand Rapids! And good luck to Ace of course!
Sounds like you are supporting your wife like my wife is there for me with my chronic illness. That's awesome.
Try to watch the 2017 movie Unrest. I forgot to mention in a response to mgobleu that it could be listed as 'Independent Lens.' That's the PBS series of independent films that Unrest is showing under. Streaming is free for almost another week.
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Sorry to hear that, mgobleu. I have ME/CFS. If you have muscle stamina and muscle ache issues after fairly light activity for 2 or more days (during weeks when you are symptomatic), then you might have ME/CFS. Otherwise, maybe fibro? I don't know that much about fibromyalgia because I don't have it. I would need more information to form a personal opinion of whether you might have this illness. The website healthrising.org is very helpful for a better understanding and keeping up with news. There are a few great ME/CFS organizations like the one Ace is raising money for.
When I started getting it, I would have some weeks on and some off. Keep getting educated on this illness to determine if you have it.
I won't repeat some of the information I put in a long response to mgobleu. Please read my response to him for a little more info. Good luck.
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Boliver, I am very glad that Ace is consulting with you about your wife's health. I have ME/CFS and have mostly had it at a heavy-moderate to moderate level, but not severe.
With your understanding of the spoon theory, you sound like you are trying to learn and be there for your partner. That's all good.
Do watch the 2017 movie Unrest. For the next few days it is streaming FREE from your PBS TV station. As Ace said, the director, Jen Brea, largely created it from bed. Currently, it is on the 15-documentary shortlist for Oscar consideration. It's that good. (PBS TV schedule might list it as INDEPENDENT LENS, their series of independent films). Brea may have a worse case than your wife, with more sound and light sensitivity, for instance.
There is hope. Ace's dad is one extreme example. I am currently doing better than past years due to diet, medication, and pacing myself. Everyone's condition has some core similarities, but also can vary in some ways. Many people with ME/CFS at a moderate level have deep muscle aches for days after a light activity. The illness affects cellular metabolism and a number of body systems.
I still have ME/CFS, but at a lightly moderate level. I was worse---pretty much where your wife is now. My legs used to feel leaden just from walking up a flight of stairs (or much less). Also, muscles feeling more sore (all over) for about 3 days or more after light exertion versus one day or no days when healthy. Difficult to concentrate. Watching TV was too stimulating after a little while. I felt guilty a lot for not helping my spouse enough with daily stuff and for not doing as many activities with my kids as I wanted to. I did not have the extreme sound sensitivity or light sensitivity that some patients have.
Do watch the very well made documentary Unrest. For the next week, it is streaming free on PBS TV. Everyone should watch it for awareness. People in med school should watch it twice.
Do go to go to healthrising.org (not .com) for more info. It has great articles and a forum for patients and caregivers. Maybe you or your wife already have been there.There are a few other great organizations regarding this illness.
There is so much information to convey. Again, I am glad Ace is consulting with you. If you and your wife want to reach out to me, feel free. I don't know how to provide a text or email link tho.
Good luck to you both from Grand Rapids! And good luck to Ace of course!
Sounds like you are supporting your wife like my wife is there for me with my chronic illness. That's awesome.
Try to watch the 2017 movie Unrest. I forgot to mention in a response to mgobleu that it could be listed as 'Independent Lens.' That's the PBS series of independent films that Unrest is showing under. Streaming is free for almost another week.
Best wishes to you guys.