Energy - Can I have it?

Energy - or the lack thereof - is one of the most difficult things for fibro sufferers to deal with on a daily basis. Most normal people only notice the lack of energy after they've spent a day working or completed a sporting event or chased after 4 kids, cleaned the house, and prepared a 5-course meal. They may fall into bed 'worn out' after the day's events. People with Fibro feel this way when we wake up.

"Energy cycle deficiency. Studies of oxygen consumption and exertion show that fibromyalgia patients suffer from an inability to generate adequate energy at the cellular level. This may be influenced by a decreased availability of specific hormones that influence the energy cycle." ~Edward Lichton M.D.,PC (http://www.usdoctor.com/fibro.htm)

Patients with Fibro wake up with 1/3 of the energy that normals have. This energy is depleted through just a few tasks during the day, so that we're worn out by noon. Some of us need frequent naps during the day, are lethargic, and unable to do much more than get one household chore finished. By the end of the day, we've exhausted all of our energy and more, only we're unable to generate back that energy during the night, because REM or deep sleep cycles elude us. The next day we wake up more tired that before - and continue the cycle for days on end.

Many people - husbands, wives, children, doctors, bosses - wonder why we're always so tired. I have heard things like "Are you taking your vitamins?" "Are you eating right?" "Aren't you sleeping at night?" The answers vary amongst us. Yes, we're eating right, no we don't sleep, some of us take vitamins and some don't. The issue isn't the external things that influence our energy levels. It is our body's inability to produce the normal amount of energy that regular people require for their day. This is just one of the effects of Fibro.

Imagine waking up, feeding your 4 kids and getting them off to school, spending the morning cleaning the house, folding laundry, then going to the grocery store, the shoe store, the clothing store, taking the kids to soccer practice and gymnastics, then coming home to prepare a meal for 20 guests, cleaning up after the meal, adding another load of laundry, and getting the kids to bed. This is what many Fibro sufferers feel like ALL THE TIME.

For me, just going grocery shopping is exhausting. 1 hour of walking around leaves me shaking and sweating. Doing the dishes - the same. I can't do dishes AND vacuum at the same time in one day and trying to do dishes and then cook dinner - takes all the energy I've had for the day. People ask me why I can't go to concerts or to the mall or why it takes me an entire day just for a doctor's appointment. Well...now you know.

More...next time.

~Debra