I hope you take the time to read this if you experience PEM. I am sure we could all agree that post exertional malaise has to be one of the worst symptoms of CFS (if not the worst). I am beginning to research CFS on the side as I do come from a science background and refuse to live like this for the rest of my life. This is only my opinion and I would like to know your experiences. I do not think PEM is only caused from over exertion of muscles directly. There are many theories on the cause of PEM and there has been some recent research done on gut bacteria linked to CFS. Here are my thoughts on that:
If I do any strenuous activity I can expect to be defeated for the next 2-3 days. Strenuous activity usually involves bending down and muscle movement in the core which also puts some pressure on the gut. Almost as it is causing toxins/bacteria to leak from the gut into the blood causing an immune response and depending on the severity may need more/less of a trigger.
I have experienced PEM from being on a jet ski which does involve some strenuous activity, however there is a lot of bouncing around. I have also experienced it sitting on the back of a snowmobile which required minimal effort but again bouncing up in down over bumps. Lastly, I experience PEM if I go on any type of rides like roller coasters, etc. I have to deal with post exertional malaise EVERY time I do one of these activities and it lasts for a couple of days.
Meanwhile I began to think about it as if something was being absorbed into my blood from my intestines (I know there is research on this now). I figured it was caused by the "shaking" movement so I decided to experiment.
This is when I decided to not eat for the entire day and decided to go jet skiing again expecting to be destroyed. Other than feeling hungry...I experienced zero symptoms of PEM. I also had plans to go to an amusement park and again did not eat for the entire day. I did make it a point to hit every bumpy ride ha...I experienced zero symptoms once again. This was the first time in a long time I was able to do these activities without feeling terrible in a long time.
Just to confirm, I recently decided to eat before going jet skiing figuring maybe I wouldn't be bothered. Well, I was wrong and completely destroyed after and the next couple of days.
I am not saying triggering PEM is a good idea however, If you know you definitely have to do something which will trigger your PEM, it would be nice to know if you do not eat a while before hand if you experience the symptoms. I do think there will be some variation from person to person like severity and gut motility but I do think it would be good to know all of your experiences. Food allergies/intolerances are another factor but if enough people have similar experiences I will begin to look for other variables which may play a role here.
Let me know your thoughts. Hope this helps
If I do any strenuous activity I can expect to be defeated for the next 2-3 days. Strenuous activity usually involves bending down and muscle movement in the core which also puts some pressure on the gut. Almost as it is causing toxins/bacteria to leak from the gut into the blood causing an immune response and depending on the severity may need more/less of a trigger.
I have experienced PEM from being on a jet ski which does involve some strenuous activity, however there is a lot of bouncing around. I have also experienced it sitting on the back of a snowmobile which required minimal effort but again bouncing up in down over bumps. Lastly, I experience PEM if I go on any type of rides like roller coasters, etc. I have to deal with post exertional malaise EVERY time I do one of these activities and it lasts for a couple of days.
Meanwhile I began to think about it as if something was being absorbed into my blood from my intestines (I know there is research on this now). I figured it was caused by the "shaking" movement so I decided to experiment.
This is when I decided to not eat for the entire day and decided to go jet skiing again expecting to be destroyed. Other than feeling hungry...I experienced zero symptoms of PEM. I also had plans to go to an amusement park and again did not eat for the entire day. I did make it a point to hit every bumpy ride ha...I experienced zero symptoms once again. This was the first time in a long time I was able to do these activities without feeling terrible in a long time.
Just to confirm, I recently decided to eat before going jet skiing figuring maybe I wouldn't be bothered. Well, I was wrong and completely destroyed after and the next couple of days.
I am not saying triggering PEM is a good idea however, If you know you definitely have to do something which will trigger your PEM, it would be nice to know if you do not eat a while before hand if you experience the symptoms. I do think there will be some variation from person to person like severity and gut motility but I do think it would be good to know all of your experiences. Food allergies/intolerances are another factor but if enough people have similar experiences I will begin to look for other variables which may play a role here.
Let me know your thoughts. Hope this helps