potentially have CFS- tips for a trip?

[Forevryoung]

Ok, they (a bunch of medical professionals) don't know whats going on with me. There is nothing obviously physically wrong. Today my doctor suggests that maybe, quite possibly, it's chronic fatigue syndrome. I just want to get my school work done, I don't have time to figure out why my body and brain are sludge (think of the green slime from Ghostbusters).

I've been planning a Disney trip for the first week in January (2nd-7th) I don't want to consider postponing my trip, it's the happy thought at the end of the tunnel right now.

I'm a grad student and by the time the trip arrives, I will have completed my thesis, completed ALL my graduate classes, made it through a year and a half of pure Hell, and plan to be done with all of my certification exams (7 of them!) before I leave so it's a true celebration.

Of course I don't know how I will be feeling then but hopefully better! But besides considering renting an ECV (I wouldn't ask DBF to push me in a wheelchair for a number of reasons) and taking it easy, any other tips out there if I'm still feeling this way?

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I have fatigue-ish problems myself (all wonderfully undiagnosed as yet) and went to Disney this September, just gone. Here's a few suggestions (obvious and not so obvious):

Renting wheels would be a very good idea, to help you conserve spoons for the fun stuff.

Get plenty of rest when you can, and don't feel you have to do everything this trip.

You may want to consider some form of sleep-aid, to make sure you get the most out of your rest. I've found that herbal OTC tablets are some help to me, and I actually wake up feeling as though I've slept !

Eat and drink regularly. OK, so it's not a magical cure-all, but being hungry or dehydrated won't exactly help matters.

If you need a break while you're in the parks, you can go rest up in the First Aid rooms, all of which have beds you can use.

Look after your health. Your immune system will be lowered by fatigue, so make sure you have plenty of vitamin C and are extra careful on all the hygiene routines (not that I'm casting aspersions on your hand-washing abilities, you understand).

I actually found Disney a lot easier than the 'real world', fatigue wise. I think all the sunshine and serotonin I was getting did me good . The Disney Magic helps as well

I may think of some more stuff later, but in the mean time feel better and have a wonderful trip!

 

[Heluvsme]

Boy do I understand undiagnosed fatigue!

OneLittleSpark's tips are all perfect! I would only add to remember to take a multi-vitamin with iron in it while you're there. I don't know about others, but sometimes eating out so much will leave me low on iron stores. Also, a B complex vitamin wouldn't hurt either.

Take care, I do hope you're feeling OK and can enjoy Disney!!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Ah, that's what I forgot! Meant to say that one too (yup, the brain fog's such fun), so thank you Heluvsme!

 

[Forevryoung]

Thanks guys

I certainly "expect" to be feeling better 2 months from now but it's been going on so long that I don't want to assume anything.

Best wishes to you guys. I never thought a "nap" could be 4 hours long until now

 

[Notatourist]

Get your thyroid checked.

My fatigue issues were thyroid related. You never know!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I never thought a "nap" could be 4 hours long until now

Only 4?

 

[Forevryoung]

Get your thyroid checked.

My fatigue issues were thyroid related. You never know!

Thyroid has been checked by an endochrinologist, conclusion is that it is slightly hyperactive (which wouldn't normally make someone tired!) They are treating it anyway with meds for now which havent changed anything. I've been on them since last Friday. Good guess though.


One Little Spark- yea 4 hour nap... up for 3-4 hours, nap, up for 4 hours, time for bed for the night... repeat!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

One Little Spark- yea 4 hour nap... up for 3-4 hours, nap, up for 4 hours, time for bed for the night... repeat!

<-- that's an understanding nod

 

[PirateFairy8]

I want to emphasize getting a wheelchair or something to help with mobility - I can barely handle a day at Disney at this point, but then I now have CFS and Fibromyalgia. I certainly hope you'll be feeling well by that point too - but please be prepared as you have so much on your plate right now that by the time you reach the end - you MAY not feel better. Not saying that as a discouragement, I know how disappointing it can be. And I KNOW you can do Disney - it will just take a little extra planning. Congrats on everything though - and that's so cool that you're getting to go to Disney! I will be there on one of your days for my 21st birthday!

 

[mechurchlady]

Also vitamin C and bioflavnoids may help. Allergies can also cause lethargy and being tired all the time.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Oh yes, my sister had some fatigue stuff before she found out she was a no-dairy kinda girl, but it wasn't really full-on CFS style. Still, worth getting yourself checked at the hospital if you have the time and strength.