Preserving Energy

[jessbee82]

Hello fellow Chiarians,
I was wondering if any of you worked to preserve energy?  What I secretly do all day long is keep track of when I have eaten and when I have rested.  I seem to have a time limit, for example, I know that within an hour of eating I will need to lay down because the fatigue sets in.  Its almost as if my life is a sand hour glass - when I know that my energy (the sand) is running low I have to make alternatives to try and curb the energy loss and fatigue.  Its almost as if I set up my life so that I work around not feeling sick.

Just wondering if I was the only one,
Have a great and pain free day,
jessbee82

[rod44]

I find my energy levels are all over the place. I go through periods where I just become over come with fatigue, most of the time it is with out warning and I just have to sleep. Other times I can go for days with very little sleep. It becomes very distressing, I fear going to visit friends or even going out socialising because if I feel tired I can get very irritable.

Ray  

[jessbee82]

I understand what you are saying, I struggle with moodiness too.  Its like I get so overwhelmed with life that the smallest little thing makes me irritated.  I had to quit my job a few weeks ago, I was working part time at my own business and the headaches, fatigue, and nausea got the best of me.  Your not alone, hang in there and answers will unfold for the both of us with time.
take care.

[sleepypea]

That's really Awesome that you used the analogy of "the Spoon Theory" because that is exactly what I was thinking while reading the original post. As a matter of fact I posted it on my Facebook last night and ask everyone who wasn't familiar with The spoon theory to look it up and read it. It is exactly what it is like to live with a chronic illness :)
Seems like we are all on the same page when it comes to the way we need to deal with this.
I am still new to this so I have not yet learned how to use my spoons wisely and tend to have used them all up by midday and have to find a way to reach in and pull out some inner strength to finish out the day.
I don't work, but I still find it so hard to get up, clean up the house, help my kids with homework when they get in from school, then cook dinner. It doesn't sound like much at all, but it wares me out so bad. I feel like a big lazy loser who sits around all day doing nothing. I've gained 20 lbs in the last 4 months because the one thing I haven't lost is my appitite.
Anyway, today was one of those days where I felt really good most of the day so I tried to get as much done as I could to make up for what all hasn't been done and now I'm feeling it. Everything hurts!! At least it is evening and I can relax, watch some TV and go to bed.
I am so thankful that I have a family who for the most part understands and doesn't treat me like the big lazy loser I feel like.
I do feel so bad that I am so moody and tend to have fits of rage over small things that use to never bother me. I have 3 boys and if they start picking at each other even a little I loose it. It makes me feel like I am trapt in a cave with a bunch of wild animals and I know I shouldn't feel like that. Boys are Boys and they get rowdy, but I have no patience at all these days!! I just pray that my mood stabilizes so I can be a better mom to my kids.
I can't imagine what it's like for people suffering with this that have to do it all on their own. If I didn't have my husband to help me there is no way I could do it!!

[selmaS]

Hi...indeed...we have to keep energy in reserve for things we really want to do.....I am not as diligent as u keeping a journal...I have dealt with it sooooo long, I can feel when I have to adjust so I have the energy needed for an activity.

Carolyn is right, it is  soooooooo easy to over do it when we do feel good.....

We all use a diff technique.....but those that do reserve energy will be able to do more in the long run.....it is like spending money....if u blow it all at once , and something else comes along u want, u can no longer afford it.Spend wisely : )

"selma"

[*Stormy*]

Definitely, I think most of us work that way. I have to schedule myself to get most of what I need to get done in the morning b/c by the afternoon I know I will be wiped!! I also find myself breaking the bigger things over several days which is frustrating and not as effective but it is the only way it gets done. It is a fine balancing act but you will find that you get used to being that way and then it becomes sort of like a second nature. I don't know if you have read the "Spoon theory"? I heard about it here and googled it and I was amazed on how accurate it was. So if you haven't seen it, you should look it up!

One word of caution, a mistake I keep making myself, when you do feel good and the fatigue lets up for a few days, don't overdo it!! It just comes crashing down on you twice as bad. This is something I have to remind myself on  a regular basis. After having surgery, you do feel like  you can do more, but the same rule still seems to apply.

Hope you are having a good day too!
Carolyn