fatigue

Hi, imbaffld, and welcome!  I'm glad that you found us and joined in.  I had plantar faciitis really bad and could barely stand to put my feet on the ground.  It felt like someone was driving a stake through my heels.  I heard about Birkenstock shoes, tried them, and that took care of the plantar faciitis.  It took a few months but the shoes stretch that tendon and the pain eventually went away.  I advised a friend of mine to try them because she had the same problem and they worked for her too.  It sure beat having cortisone shots in the heels...that doesn't work half the time! 

But, I did want to say that when I first started wearing them, I hated them.  They made me carry myself correctly so my knees and back hurt.  But I started wearing them only a few hours a day at first and by the end of one month I was used to wearing them.  I can walk through airports now with these shoes and they are very comfortable for me.

For pain and fatigue, you might want to try malic acid/magnesium supplements.  They don't help everyone but they have helped quite a few, including me.  Many with fibro are deficient in these nutrients.

Many with fibro seem to be deficient in vitamin D, also.  That deficiency can cause pain and fatigue, too.  I'm presently taking 3,500 IU of D3 a day to get me in the normal range.  You might want to ask your doctor about these things.

Be sure to check out the Fibro 101 thread...the second thread on the forum.  There are links to information about fibromyalgia, including a link all about malic acid/magnesium supplements and how they work in the body.

Meanwhile, read back posts and ask questions.  We are here to help you.  I'm glad you are here and I hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine

Imbaffld,

I'm 42, and know exactly how you feel. My baseline is "tired" but many days, I'm "exhausted." It does't matter what time I go to bed, or how many hours I "sleep" I'm always tired. I wake up tired. I can't give you any advice for the plantar faciitis because I don't really have that, but I just wanted you to know that you're not alone in the fatigue department.

It does help to get into a regular sleep routine - find your sleep cycle and stick to it. Go to bed at the same time, and wake up at the same time, every day no matter what day it is. Whenever I can get into a regular sleep cycle and stick with it for more than two months, it helps both my moods and my energy... It's not easy, but it's worth it. I'm not saying you won't be tired, but you may be able to handle it better. It helped me.

Sherrine said...
I had plantar faciitis really bad and could barely stand to put my feet on the ground. It felt like someone was driving a stake through my heels. I heard about Birkenstock shoes, tried them, and that took care of the plantar faciitis. It took a few months but the shoes stretch that tendon and the pain eventually went away. I advised a friend of mine to try them because she had the same problem and they worked for her too. It sure beat having cortisone shots in the heels...that doesn't work half the time!

I would love to try some Birkenstock shoes, as I've seen y'all recommending them all over this forum, but I checked out the prices and they are *expensive*!!! :o I'm a poor, starving student who's barely getting by and can't afford to drop more than $20 on a pair of shoes... I can't even *think* about plunking down $125!

So, is there anywhere else to buy these bad boys without paying such high prices for them? Or, are there cheaper alternatives?

I order mine directly from Germany.  It takes anywhere from 2 - 6 weeks to get them.....usually 3 is the average.  There is no shipping and handling, either.  Here is the site I use. 

 

http://www.jestelkg.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?

I would suggest you go to a large department store that carries these.  We have a store around here called Happy Feet.  They carry them too.  Try them on so you know the size.  I wear a size 7 shoe but the size in Birkenstocks is 37! 

 

My first pair of Birks was in 1994 and they cost $96 then...the Arizona style.  (I find them the most comfortable.)  Then, in 2003 I traveled to Germany and they had Birkenstock stores and the shoes were $33!  So, I bought two pair and then came home to find a site that I could get them and not have to pay the shipping.  I didn't check but the last time I bought Arizona's in nubuk leather, they cost me $44.  The price has gone up because the value of the American dollar has gone down.   This site is very good and I've never had a problem with them.

 

Be sure to read everything on the site.  It explains the construction, the various materials, etc.  The suede is the softest but it gets dirty quickly.  The leather is too stiff for me.  I use the Nubuk leather.  It's softer than regular leather and you can wash it with soap and water...great for the white sandals.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Sherrine 

Siince I joined this site a couple months ago I started taking malic acid, and also pre-natal vitamins and vitamin D. I notice that the edge is definitely off the "top" of my pain, and I feel a little more consistent fatigue-wise, throughout the day.