How to cope with the demands of a job with cfs?

Hi Rothco, Welcome to the forum.  I was never able to go back to work.   I struggled with it day after day.  To tired to get up, drug myself out of bed always late, up to 3 hours late.  Then I felt so bad I couldn't stay at work, I would go home & crash.  My sleep was totally unrefreshing.  I felt like I hadn't even slept. 

Over the last couple of years I have been dealing with my sleep issues & my pain & fatigue.  I have found that good sleep is very important without the sleep you will continue to cycle down until your body says "no more". So, do you have a Doctor?  Do you have a diagnosis?  The first thing you need to address is your sleep.  You need to take something for sleep or have a sleep study done or both.  Sleep apnea is a familiar problem to those with CFS.  I take cyclobenziprine (generic Flexeril), a muscle relaxant & Melatonin 5mg Sublingual, both for sleep.  You may find that Melatonin is all you will need.  It may take some time to find the right meds & dosage for you, so hang in there & work with your Physician. 

I take a multi-vitamin, a B Complex for pain & B 12 Sublingual for energy.  The B12 really helps me, I'm not running in marathons but I can do more & have more energy then before.  Sublingual is dissolved under the tongue so it gets into the bloodstream faster.  Make sure you check with your physician before you take anything, even something over the counter. 

I wish I had an answer for you, I wish they would find the reason for CFS & find a cure.  I hope you find some answers.  Hugs, Denise  

Hi Rothco,

I know what you mean, I had never posted on a forum before I was dx'd.  It never even appealed to me but once I started I found it is really helpful to speak with people who also have CFS as well.  There is so much information & I think that knowledge is power.  We have to be very proactive with our illnesses, reading & learning.  I try different thingsto help me & like you, I don't like to take pills.  I have found, for sleep, Melatonin really does help me.  I use the sublingual & about 20 minutes later I am yawning & can go to sleep.  I need the Flexeril to stay asleep.  For the most part I sleep about 10 hours, waking 2 to 3 times & going back to sleep.  Without the Flexeril I have insomnia & if I do finally sleep I will wake up & not be able to go back to sleep.  I also have Fibro so that kinda muddies the waters since that has it's own sleeping issues.  When Fibro is flaring my sleep goes way out of wack & I battle with it for weeks until I get back into a sleep routine.  I can sleep 12 - 15 hours if I need to when I am flaring with CFS but that leaves no room for life.  I try to keep it at 10-12.  I am fairly clear headed & feel pretty good & my pain is less so I have picked quality over quantity.  Surely not the kind of sleep pattern that will let me work but I have finally come to terms with that. 

Yes, you should talk to your gp about something for sleep.  Flexeril is not for everyone & it can cause some to feel groggy all day.  There are some good sleeping pills & other medications out there you can try.  It may take several attempts to find the one that will work for you.  Also, you should look into Melatonin, it''s natural & can be very beneficial.  Talk to your gp about it before trying it though. 

I hope you can find what works for you.  It takes so long to be dx'd & then even more time to find out what can help each of us individually.  There is not one answer for all.  Take care of yourself & let me know how it is going.  Hugs, Denise

Talk to your Pharmacist about melatonin, he will be able to help you alot with it.  Melatonin is OTC & he can make sure there are no drug interactions.  I hope you have a good day, many hugs, Denise