Welcome to Phoenix Rising!
Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of, and finding treatments for, complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.
To become a member, simply click the Register button at the top right.
I have been thinking about this and remembered that even as a very healthy child I could not run, swim, bike as far as other kids my age--I would just poop out. This is making me wonder if there is a genetic component that affects the production of aerobic energy (or glycolysis) that predisposes us to later develop ME/CFS. (@Rose49 )
Looking back, there was never I time when I could run any distance, jog, take an aerobics class etc. Of course this was greatly exacerbated when I developed ME/CFS.
Do any others have this history?
Exercised-induced asthma is a narrowing of the airways in the lungs that is triggered by strenuous exercise. It causes shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and other symptoms during or after exercise.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/exercise-induced-asthma/basics/definition/con-20033156
Signs and symptoms of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction may begin during or a few minutes after exercise, and they may persist for 30 minutes or longer if left untreated. The signs and symptoms may include:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/exercise-induced-asthma/basics/definition/con-20033156
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness or pain
- Fatigue during exercise
- Poorer than expected athletic performance
- Feeling out of shape even when you're in good physical shape
- Avoidance of activity (a sign primarily among young children)
I was diagnosed with it at one point, but I think it was a form of exercise intolerance that I also get with ME.I can't say for sure if it was "exercise-induced asthma," but it would explain a lot.
On the occasion they do push harder for a sustained period I've noticed (and they've noticed, and one or two teachers have noticed too) they get much more flushed in the face than their peers. I think they may have a lower threshold for something? Pretty sure I remember this same phenomenon myself from childhood. Anyone else?
I'm sorry to hear that! Learning where the limits are with this illness is really difficult.
We just recently found something that seems to be helping PEM. When either my husband or I are starting to get PEM, we take either a high quality non-denatured whey protein powder (which provides the precursors for glutathione production) or liposomal glutathione. They both seem to make a noticeable difference and either prevent or drastically reduce PEM. If you haven't tried either of these, maybe it's worth it.
I did a lot of cycling (steady touring speed) and I was very active compared to most kids. But I remember once around age 11 at a school athletics day I had to run in a 500 m race. I started well, then around a quarter of the way it was like someone pulled the plug and all the other competitors overtook me. I remember the teachers being as surprised as I was!
I have been thinking about this and remembered that even as a very healthy child I could not run, swim, bike as far as other kids my age--I would just poop out. This is making me wonder if there is a genetic component that affects the production of aerobic energy (or glycolysis) that predisposes us to later develop ME/CFS. (@Rose49 )
Looking back, there was never I time when I could run any distance, jog, take an aerobics class etc. Of course this was greatly exacerbated when I developed ME/CFS.
Do any others have this history?
Ditto. But I became very flexible as a teenager. Could walk and hike but couldn't run or play high intensity sports that interested meI have been thinking about this and remembered that even as a very healthy child I could not run, swim, bike as far as other kids my age--I would just poop out. This is making me wonder if there is a genetic component that affects the production of aerobic energy (or glycolysis) that predisposes us to later develop ME/CFS. (@Rose49 )
Looking back, there was never I time when I could run any distance, jog, take an aerobics class etc. Of course this was greatly exacerbated when I developed ME/CFS.
Do any others have this history?
Did you ever investigate whether you might have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome? I ask because you mentioned flexibility. I myself have EDS.But I became very flexible as a teenager. Could walk and hike but couldn't run or play high intensity sports that interested me
Did you ever investigate whether you might have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome? I ask because you mentioned flexibility. I myself have EDS.
I was exactly the same.Who can't manage aerobics at 18? I could climb trees and mountains, walk for miles, arm wrestle, swim for hours (not competitively), play volleyball and baseball, but couldn't jog, run, play an intense game of Frisbee (required running) or even dance (my next great idea was intense dancing classes since I was terrible at aerobics) without burning, being unable to breathe, getting a lactic acid like burn or otherwise feeling like I'd die if I continued.
Yep, even though I don't "practice" flexibility exercises, it is totally easy for me to place my hands flat on the floor.I can still (after the morning fibro stiffness goes away), touch the floor with my palms while bent forward. It's always been so easy that it's difficult to image that most people can't.