For those of you that know me, likely identify me as tired! Or, maybe even lazy. As long as I can remember, I’ve needed a nap… almost EVERY.. SINGLE.DAY. When I was a teacher, I would nap in my classroom when my students were at music class. I slept through many of my college courses. I napped almost everyday afterschool as a child, even in high school. Luckily, I get bursts here and there to catch up with… life.
I feel embarrassed at times, and grateful when I’m surrounded by people that get it. I’ve been to countless doctors and homeopathic specialists that all have their own theories. I have the opposite of placebo and put faith in their suggestions, hoping the medicine or approach they suggest will finally help.
Send Me the CliffsNotes
After over 20 years of trying to get to the root of this, I feel defeated! I feel even more exhausted! When I attempt to read a self help book, I fall asleep. So, to find a book that I could relate to gave me hope.
“From Fatigued to Fantastic”
How It Hooked Me
When scanning the list of symptoms of Chronic Fatigue/ Fibromyalgia, I have experienced almost all of them.
Poor sleep, not refreshing (stages 3 and 4 are inadequate)
Short term memory, concentration, word substitution, brain fog
Increased thirst, weight gain
Bowel disorders, food sensitivities
Recurrent infections and sinusitis, sore throat
Exhaustion after minimal exertion
Headaches
Sensitive to medications environmental factors, MSG, and artificial sweeteners (decreased ability of the liver to eliminate toxins and medications)
Anxiety
Decreased libido
Widespread pain and aches, tender neck or underarm
Now What?
This book offers many suggestions, from homeopathic to prescriptions. I’ve listed my favorites on a previous blog.
How Helpful is Sleep Hygiene?
When I’m diligent enough to keep up with these suggestions, I definitely notice an improvement. So, here’s to helping someone out there get one step closer to feeling normal.
No alcohol before bed
No caffeine after 4
Do problem solving or work in different room
Only read relaxing books in bed
Take a hot bath before bed
Keep bedroom cool
Keep paper and pen near bed to write thoughts (if prevalent, set aside 30 min of worry time early in the evening to process; can also make columns with list/ when need to complete by/ what needs to be left up to God)
Play music that induces stage 4 sleep
Minimal fluids before bed. If you are waking up at same time every night, you need to break pattern by trying to sleep through the sensation. I did this and was shocked that within three days, I no longer woke. The book suggested wearing Depends to relax your mind and convince yourself that you truly will not pee the bed.
Put clock out of arms reach and away from you (looking at the clock aggravates sleep)
Do not stay in bed longer than nine hours bc you will go back into new cycle of sleep
Have a light snack before bed (milk and turkey have amino acid tryptophan to contribute)
Get into/ out of bed at the same time every day
Can nap up to 1.5 hours, but before 2p
Splash cold water on face to wake
My dentist added wearing a night guard to prevent from grinding teeth, which can causes headaches
My chiro recommended a contour pillow, so that my neck stays in correct position, which has helped muscle tension
Now, onto Nutrition
No more than 2 cups black tea
No more than 3 alcohol a day
Limit sugar, flour, and canned food
More antioxidants
My rheumatologist added to avoid gluten, dairy, and red meat
Discover Your Intolerances
With Fibromyalgia, you are likely to struggle with food sensitivities. With Autoimmune, you need to be cautious of anything that causes inflammation.
Most tests aren’t reliable, but I had a helpful experience because after desperately paying too much for the hair exam, I followed through with the 2 week cleanse and only adding in 1 item each week to determine and guarentee (on round 3 of trying to ensure) that gluten and dairy cause many side effects in my life. Warning: withdrawal is real and lasts about 10 days… be strong!
How to Detox
Sweating and shower immediately after
Hot bath with 2c epson, 1c baking soda, 1/3c peroxide for 20 min, while drinking water with lemon
Hot yoga
It’s Not Easy, But Improvement Motivates Me to Keep Pushing On
You’ve got this! You aren’t alone! You aren’t lazy! You aren’t creating sicknesses in your mind! You aren’t weak! Reserve your energy for people and activities that make you feel good. The rest of the time… go nap!