Re: weekend pain and fatigue

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/29/99 2:37:47 PM, mark.okeefe@... writes:

<< Does anyone have their own theories or experiences they'd like to share?

>>

Yes, I sure do. I feel the same way. During the week I have much more

energy, the kids are in school and my husband is working or golfing. On

weekends, I am much more fatigued and need an afternoon nap. Go figure.

We just returned from the Boulders Resort in Arizona and instead of being

revitalized, I was exhausted. I DO think that it was more psychological

because I wasn't able to shop as in previous years. It was rather depressing.

Who knows, maybe it's just the therapeutic value of my two big dogs when

we're home alone during the week.

Diane

[Guest guest]

goes along with the concept>>>>>>>a body in motion will stay in motion and a

body at rest will stay at rest<<<<<<enjoy some rest on your weekend

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/29/99 1:37:46 PM Eastern Standard Time,

mark.okeefe@... writes:

< Does anyone have their own theories or experiences they'd like to share? >>

One thing I've noticed is that if I push myself hard, I pay for it over the

long haul. Now, that could be my fibromyalgia talking to me, not just the

PA, so keep that in mind too. I've learned to pace myself, taking rests

during the day. I'm a go-getter, on the run person as well, so I have to

force myself to do sit down and take a break, but it pays off in the end. I

don't know if that's feasible in your line of work, but it works for me.

Patty

[Guest guest]

Hello Mark -

I have a very similar experience as you. When I am at work I stay focused

and the pain doesn't seem to bother me as much. The weekends are usually

terrible especially Saturday. It is very frustrating for my family when I

come home and just go straight to bed some nights. I think I use up all my

energy at work and then the battery just gives out.

One good thing that has come from this disease is that I do not work every

weekend or bring work home. I take my comp. time off and try too pace

myself.

My daughter is only 4 but is such a great kid and my best motivation. Quite

often I feel guilty that I can't do all the things we used to (even just

getting down on the floor to play Barbie) but we adapt by doing other things

or playing on the beds or couch so I don't have to bend over.

Take care.

[ ] weekend pain and fatigue

> From: " Mark O'Keefe " <mark.okeefe@...>

>

> I'm a journalist who finds that when I'm working on an exciting story the

pain and fatigue isn't as bad, even if I'm putting in long, stressful hours.

But when I slow down, usually on the weekend, the pain and fatigue gets

worse. This forces me to pace myself and makes me irritable, which sparks

conflicts with my active family (wife and three children) eager to do things

with Dad now that he's home.

>

> I have two theories as to why this happens. One theory, from a

rheumatologist, is that pain-fighting endorphins kick in when I'm on an

exciting story. The other, from a therapist, is that when I'm busy my mind

is " distracted " from the pain.

>

> But I can't be on a busy " high " all the time. I do need down time. It's

frustrating that my down time is actually more painful and fatiguing than my

up time.

>

> Does anyone have their own theories or experiences they'd like to share?

>

> > Please visit our new web page at:

> http://www.wpunj.edu/icip/pa

>