Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: “Taking It Easy” May Not Be Best

Lots of people talk about always being tired, but we don’t often think about those who truly are tired all the time—those who suffer with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Most of us are tired a lot because of factors within our control—things like poor diet, irregular exercise habits, irregular sleep habits, handling stress poorly, and over-booking our lives, especially when we commit to activities that do not truly matter to us.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) differs substantially from normal, everyday fatigue that we can address with steadier, healthier habits. CFS is a condition characterized by persistent debilitating fatigue that is not relieved by rest and not accounted for by any specifically identified medical or psychiatric condition.  I remember years ago when people first started complaining about CFS-type symptoms, they were thought to be crazy, because doctors had a hard time pinpointing the cause.  I knew a family friend who spent so much time trying to find answers and who was told it was all in her head so many times that she finally gave up and stopped asking.
Some of the current thinking is that CFS represents a common endpoint of disease that can result from multiple causes. Therefore, CFS is defined primarily by its symptoms: fatigue, frequent sore throats, painful lymph nodes, headache, low grade fever, and difficulty concentrating and remembering.  Well no wonder CFS sufferers feel tired: Wouldn’t you?
I’ve always advised my clients that there isn’t a disease out there that exercise would do more harm than good, and according to research published in the medical journal, Lancet, exercise seemed to moderately reduce fatigue and improve activity levels for sufferers of CFS. The research divided patients into groups. The group who exercised showed the most improvement—over medical care and “budgeting” activity levels.
But it is hard to convince a person who feels miserable to try exercise. Even when they can be persuaded to start, many CFS sufferers stop too soon to reap any benefits. I’m convinced that the reason for this is that they are initially even more tired. This fatigue is generally not caused by CFS; more likely they are deconditioned and suffer the same soreness and muscle fatigue that the rest of us would suffer upon starting a new routine.
On the other hand, this fatigue can add a kind of insult to injury for CFS patients, and it can be discouraging. Therefore attempts to exercise may be frustrating, and CFS sufferers have to work more than most of us to motivate themselves to stick with it long enough to feel the benefits. The exercise-induced fatigue should subside after a few weeks, and the exercise can prevent further deconditioning and get the person moving (and often participating in abandoned activities) without enhancing the symptoms of CFS.
As with any medical condition, CFS requires that a personal trainer take into account special conditions.  Even when clients with CFS are having a great day, they still need to be careful not to overexert themselves. Most importantly, when symptoms are increased, the workout (and other activities) need to be adjusted.
Communication between the client and trainer is the key to success. By providing information about what a client can expect (a few weeks of increased fatigue, for example), I try to help clients prepare for the task ahead.
If you suffer from CFS, I encourage you to discuss exercise with your doctor. Then consider working with a personal trainer. Trainer assistance can help with both motivation and expectations in order to help to ensure success. Also, March is National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month; please share this information with anyone you know who may benefit from it.
And, please, share your experiences around exercise and fatigue. Leave me a comment below!  If you need an exercise program please don't hesitate to contact me.