I am a new member here although I have been on these forums a lot over the years I decided to finally sign up! I have had CFS symptoms for around 15 years now, It started when I was 21. 4 months ago I had a major virus, not exactly sure what it was, It was believed to be Ross river virus (mosquito virus) along with vertigo and it totally dropped me even further down than I already was. Since then I have developed worsening fatigue, depression and anxiety but the main symptom i find extremely hard to deal with is malaise.
Typically if I push too hard or have a stressful period of time now I get malaise for about 7 days, it's best described for me as a flu without the flu symptoms, an uncomfortable feeling, a sick almost poisoned feeling that cannot be pinpointed to anywhere on the body in particular. I can deal with fatigue, depression and anxiety but the malaise is really hard to handle and really pushes me mentally to the point of despair.
Malaise seems to be unique to each person but I was just interested to know if anyone has any methods of how to deal with it? and what has worked for others to lessen the feeling or shorten how long it lasts? Mine does not seem to respond to any treatment I have tried so far it just randomly settles down after a week or so. Any info would be much appreciated.
That is exactly what I get
@drewf2 Only I haven't had it for as long as you. I have had it for only months.
Malaise. Just a general indefinable not-well feeling. Slightly "fluey". The fluey-ness has subside a bit recently and given way to a weariness with an internal tremor (the same kind of feeling you get when you've held your body in a stress position too long) slight aches over my eye, (which always seem to show me a red flag. They are not there when I am starting to feel better) and just this vague not well sensation. But yes it's malaise.
How do I deal with it? I can be a bit unpredicable in that respect. I can sometimes feel even worse if I lie on the floor. Sometimes I can even feel a little bit better if I get moving gently doing something physical and useful...but definitely not too much and it has to be pleasant -like a gentle walk in the orchard nearby because I love that place. Just to get my feet on grass, smell the wildflowers and hear the birds....you know?
I don't know. I am still learning how to manage this alien feeling which has come over me.
Sometimes I'm concerned that I may be prolonging the malaise by simply not lying down and staying there! But like I said I can feel a little better to get moving. And then another day, that is the last thing I need to do! And I can feel a "no" from my body as soon as I take a few steps.
It's frustrating because for me there seems like no failsafe method to feel better. It's unpredictable.
Eating -whether or not I have much appetite -seems to help me a bit. But then again that might be the wrong thing for someone else. But I think I can go too long without food and be detached from it sometimes owing to lack of normal appetite, and probably need more food than I used to. I usually feel stronger after food.
But there are times when rest is the best thing and though it's boring I feel a lot better by the end of the day or two days later. I listen to instincts I suppose.
Yeah....PEM. With me I can sometimes feel a lot better and do stuff I probably shouldn't do. That can even go on for a few days and make me think I am getting better! Then 3 days later -wham! Bad again. So PEM for me comes in a delayed way.