- Messages
- 6
I am recently ill and recently diagnosed (5months).
Myself and my family have done a lot of reading and are aware of the concept and advantages of pacing to improve symptom severity and lifestyle improvement. I have acceptance that progress is possible with small incremental changes over a long period of time.
Where I feel challenged is the interpretation of the mildness/severity of certain symptoms.
For example, if going outside to check on a bird feeder results in mild/moderate myalgias in my legs and arms that pass with approximately 10 to 20 mins of rest, am I to intepret that activity as outside of my limit or within a health range of progress? If I were to participate in a meditation, which I do 2-3 times per day, I will usually get a very mild sensation through my body/arms with a slight increase in muscle pains. I am not sure if that is a slight PEM related to the activities prior to meditation. These sensations last for 2-3 seconds and disspiate quickly. After my meditation I seem to be okay to continue daily activities (which are very limited). Once I complete another activity the myalgias will return with the same intensity. It is these physical symptoms and their onset/length that I don't know how to interpret: are they, and should they be avoided?
Another question regarding interpretation of symptoms: I have had 2 weeks where I was symptom free, both cognitively and physically. I had two different doctors' appointments back to back, in which we discussed heavy topics. That weekend I felt the effects of those social interactions which have left more lingering symptoms for just over a week. Is this what is referred to as a "crash"? The lingering syptoms aren't severe, but certainly I am more quick to have muscle pains, headaches and my sleep as been a bit more disprrupted (than usual).
I would appreciate some help interpreting these experiences. As I am keen to establish my energy envelope, it is hard to really know if the mildness of some of these symptoms is ok and part of the slow progress or if I am going outside of my limits/envelope.
Myself and my family have done a lot of reading and are aware of the concept and advantages of pacing to improve symptom severity and lifestyle improvement. I have acceptance that progress is possible with small incremental changes over a long period of time.
Where I feel challenged is the interpretation of the mildness/severity of certain symptoms.
For example, if going outside to check on a bird feeder results in mild/moderate myalgias in my legs and arms that pass with approximately 10 to 20 mins of rest, am I to intepret that activity as outside of my limit or within a health range of progress? If I were to participate in a meditation, which I do 2-3 times per day, I will usually get a very mild sensation through my body/arms with a slight increase in muscle pains. I am not sure if that is a slight PEM related to the activities prior to meditation. These sensations last for 2-3 seconds and disspiate quickly. After my meditation I seem to be okay to continue daily activities (which are very limited). Once I complete another activity the myalgias will return with the same intensity. It is these physical symptoms and their onset/length that I don't know how to interpret: are they, and should they be avoided?
Another question regarding interpretation of symptoms: I have had 2 weeks where I was symptom free, both cognitively and physically. I had two different doctors' appointments back to back, in which we discussed heavy topics. That weekend I felt the effects of those social interactions which have left more lingering symptoms for just over a week. Is this what is referred to as a "crash"? The lingering syptoms aren't severe, but certainly I am more quick to have muscle pains, headaches and my sleep as been a bit more disprrupted (than usual).
I would appreciate some help interpreting these experiences. As I am keen to establish my energy envelope, it is hard to really know if the mildness of some of these symptoms is ok and part of the slow progress or if I am going outside of my limits/envelope.