EXERCISE

Hi 50secs,
The biggest problem with exercise in CFS is that it typically triggers a flare-up of symptoms. So if you can exercise without causing a flare-up, I would say definitely get as much exercise as you can! What usually happens in CFS is that patients get severely deconditioned, for lack of activity. It's like, the more we exercise, the worse we feel, so we avoid getting exercise. At the age of 40, after being sick for 15 years, and diagnosed for 5 years, I already had some very obvious muscle wasting. There are other factors for me, which contribute to the wasting, but lack of exercise is an important factor.

So even though you don't see any improvement in your condition, exercise might either prevent or slow your decline. I hope this helps

Ok im confused now. I thought if a person has cfs and can excersize without any flares then most likely they do not have cfs? Is this true?
Donkey

hey interesting topic this! when i was diagnosed the Dr told me to make a progressive return to exercise!! i've only been diagnosed with CFS for 6 months and i've been doing what the Dr told me too and i can now manage 2 hrs, 3 times a week in the gym and i dont take it easy!!so i hear you ask, how does it make me feel?! well sometimes i feel ok and i can continue with my day, other times i feel so run down it knocks me out for a coupl.e of days - but this doesnt happen often! so i guess that it all depends on how you react to the exercise! as for the " if you can exercise you aint got CFS" thats crap! i've had multiply visits to the Dr's and i get the same response from them and that is that CFS has its good days and bad and that i shouldnt think that i'm cured!!!i have had an incident recently that saw my layed out for 3 days after a weekend surfing - so i guess that you have to listen to your own bodies and only do what they can!!!!
Aloha