Fibro or Fat?

I have a question for those who have been dealing with fibro longer than I have. For most of my adult life I have been overweight. Now to the point of being morbidly obese.
But even with being overweight my endurance hasn't been too bad. I live in the Tampa Bay area. We have had annual Busch Garden passes. This had pretty much been our entertainment as we are on a fixed income. In the past we could spend the day at Busch Gardens, and other than being tired and a little sore, the day was enjoyable. It has been months since we have last gone. Today my husband, son and I went for a few hours. My son and I rode several water rides (it is HOT), then we ate lunch and rode the train closer to the front of the park. Throughout the hours we were there, I had to keep stopping to rest over and over. It wasn't so much the pain (although that was present) as my body just felt like it couldn't keep pushing along. I was not having trouble breathing. My heart wasn't beating out of my chest. And before the question is asked, I stayed plenty hydrated all day.
My question is this: How do I know if this is fibro related, or if it could be that my body is rebelling to the activity due to being out of shape? Is there a way to know? I know we are all different. I have another reason for asking this too.
Next weekend we will be at a statewide disability conference. I am the team lead for the onsite registration check-in for over 7,500 people. I will be on my feet a lot over the 3 days of the conference. I have the option to use a power chair to scoot around for the weekend. I have never used one before. I don't know if I should, or if I should leave it available for someone else. If the issue is just my weight, rather than my fibro, I just can't justify using the chair. I know that may not make sense to some. I have always been one to feel that if the issue is my fault I need to suck it up and suffer the consequences. I know it sounds stupid. A few years back I lost 85 pounds, and I walked 2 or more miles everyday. Then I got very sick with bronchitis, got off track, and never back on again. I know I need the exercise, but I can't build up the endurance and change the situation in one week. Do any of you use a power chair for long distances? Did your insurance pay for it? Did your Dr give you a hard time about it? So many things to learn. Thanks in advance for helping me work through my questions.

Its hard to say whats causing the issue..

At times with fibro, we can feel a draggy..like wading through deep water , muscles fatigue... That can really slow us down.mine is much worse with weather systems or barometric changes..

I gained some weight last year when my vitamin d was way too low..it will be a real battle to get that back off.

My extra exercise right now is , downsizing...we have lived in our home for many years ..we tended to keep way too much..and are trying to donate, and pitch ..just in case we decide to move at some point.

One trip to disney with fibro..i could make the long days every day but one..i went into a flare and stiffened up, so i was either gonna miss a special family day or get a wheelchair..i went, got the chair..gave my muscles a rest...the next day i was back on my feet doing the parks..at times our muscles say..enough , and we can get into trouble if we do not take a rest..

Thats the only day i have truly needed a chair.most times i do ok just pacing ..taking breaks.

Sounds like a lot of responsibility that trip, so listen to your inner voice. Its ok to accept help in order to be able to do more...sometimes we can mentally be there more for others if we are not pushing too far physically and wear ourselves out..

I guess i would tend to get the help and only use it as nescessary..obviously walking is good , unless we over do it..

Honestly, whether it is from being overweight or from fibro doesn't matter for this weekend (at least, that's my opinion). When we wear out our bodies too much, we can make our fibro flare. Your Busch Gardens experience may have been a combination of overweight, so worn out, so fibro started acting up.

After this weekend, though, I think you're right about saying you can build up endurance. I was hospitalized 10 times in a 5 month period about 3 months after having a baby. I lost a ton of muscle tone. Before I got pregnant, I had been on a feeding tube a few months before for pancreatitis. Overall, I'd been hospitalized 30 times in a 3 year period. My body had zero strength. Just walking up the stairs felt impossible. I started by just walking a block each day. Find out what your body can do easily, and add a block or two to that. Then when that extra block or two becomes easy, add another block or two. That way you're not overdoing it. Now, a year later, I can walk anywhere from 3 to 6 miles each morning! (Running, not so much.) It definitely helps my fibro; on the days I can't walk due to weather or time constraints, my fibro gets agitated. So I know you can do it!! :)

Sherrine, thanks for the words of wisdom. It's weird. The issue yesterday want really fatigue either. Not wha I would consider fatigue. I am probably overthinking this. I tend to do that as I am working through whatever issue I am facing.

I have the knowledge and tools to lose weight. I have done it in the past. I don't have the energy to face that journey right now. Counter intuitive, I know. I get my sleep study on June 11th. Hopefully I can get on a CPAP and start feeling less fatigue.

I would love to meet you for lunch or iced read one day.

Thanks again.

Tammy

Tammy, I took out the location. You mentioned. It's safer for you.

Sherrine

Post Edited By Moderator (Sherrine) : 5/31/2015 5:40:35 PM (GMT-6)

Did you feel mentally exhausted as well as physically pooped? If so, I would call that heat exhaustion. If it's your stamina, usually you'll have sore muscles the following day (I do, anyway). If you felt like you could fall asleep standing up, that was blood sugar.

(yup, I get all of those too and it stinks - and I'm about 135. It's hard to be us!)