So what does fatigue feel like?

[ott70]

So what does everyone's fatigue feel like? I have yet to be diagnosed with CFS, but I exhibit a lot of symptoms. I have been diagnosed with chronic EBV and have some other testing I'm going through with. In the meantime, I have had a ton of testing to no avail so far.

Today I have just felt out of it. I can function and do stuff, such as I went to work today, but my body just has a weak feeling about it. I'm not exhausted, as I can walk around and accomplish some tasks but just a general weak sensation through my body. Do some of you other sufferers feel this type of sensation with your fatigue attacks? I'm not sure if I'm having a fatigue attack that I should be cooped up in bed or do some people have this weak sensation but are still able to somewhat function through the day?

[kiddthekatt]

I agree with Breeze, it is definitely one of the worst symptoms to live with.

I sleep at least 8 hours a night, took me a while to get there, but finally sleeping. I wake up every morning feeling like I haven't even been to bed. I have to stretch before getting up or my legs try to collapse under me. If I wake up with a spurt of energy, I overdo and try to get caught up on things that I've sort of ignored for several days, and then I wind up in bed for several days.

Mental fatigue is by far my enemy of all enemies. Bright lights, and loud noises are the worst, and then I go into the "fibrofog" phase and I all but just give up for the day.

gentle hugs
Angel

[VaBreeze]

Fatigue...one of the worst symptoms that comes with territory.  

I yawn throughout the day from not resting well to begin with.  I'm usually tired, but will try to force myself to get up and do something constructive each day.  Some days I have energy, but no motivation...others the motivation is there, but I have no energy.  When I do get a burst of pep I usually 'overdo' things and wind up in the bed for a day or two.  

Physically, I hate to say that i'm tired most of the time.  Mentally, I become exhausted when there has been any type of sensory overload (lots of bright lights, smells, activity involving lots of people and noises) or when i've had to mentally focus on getting something important done like paying bills or filing taxes.

I'm learning to pace myself, which is difficult when i've always been the 'go getter, type A' personality type.  

[RobinHood70]

Interesting question.  The style of my fatigue varies a bit.  My legs always feel watery and weak no matter what; if I goof and exercise too much, they'll get worse and develop aching and cramps, often for a couple of days afterwards.

Apart from the legs, the physical fatigue can range from wanting to take a nap, even though I have no reason to be tired, to that feeling you get after long exercise...I often compare it to helping someone move, where you've been doing a lot of moderate work all day and everything's tired, but no specific muscle group is really a problem.

I also get mental fatigue, which can range from a mild difficulty focussing to the feeling you get when you've been concentrating on something far too long (like an exam, for example) to being woken up from a deep sleep and asked to process a lot of information right away.