Research Brief
New research published in the Journal of Internal Medicine shows that the muscles of people with chronic fatigue syndrome begin showing abnormalities immediately after exercise, and that they take a long time to return to the correct pH balance after exercise. (The pH balance is a measure of acidity.) The build-up of acid in muscles is a cause of muscle pain.
Researchers say the study "identifies a novel biological abnormality" that's tied to autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
Meanwhile, a separate study looking at the relationship of post-exertional malaise to immune function failed to find any abnormalities in several markers, including interleukin 1B, complement C4a split product or elastase activity.
Post-exertional malaise is considered a hallmark symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome. It's a period of intense exhaustion and other symptoms that lasts for more than 24 hours following physical exertion. Several research teams are investigating methods of diagnosing the illness based on blood-borne markers associated with this symptom.
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I never schedule anything on Mondays.I need that as a rest day after the weekend.
I am trying very hard to learn pacing, and to learn my patterns.
I spent Sunday in bed. That felt odd, and I felt guilty, but today I am feeling much better than I would have after a busy Friday if I hadn’t taken a rest day.
Post-exertional malaise can come on later than you think, and last longer than you’d think.
free stuff
This verifies what we PWCs already knew but good to see it in a medical journal.
I also can have exhaustion after prolonged intellectual activities as well as after emotional upheavals. This exhaustion usually is not as pronounced but is definately (?sp) there and I have to “budget” rest accordingly.
Wow, great news…
Post-exertional malaise can come on very suddenly–I get very nauseated, weak and trembly and develop a severe, long-lasting headache after any sort of aerobic exercise or any unaccustomed exertion. Another symptom is a failure in blood pressure to rise or lower gradually during exercise–mine stays level then suddenly jumps higher or lower. This was discovered during a cardiac stress test. The pem was my primary reason for seeking medical help when I got ill–before that happened I was walking 3 miles to and from work, riding an exercise bike, Nordic trak, etc. and one day I collapsed after only a few minutes and that was when I realized there was something VERY wrong. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, autonomic nervous system disorder and chronic fatigue.
I hope that they soon find a solution to this, its nice to know they are working out what is the problem but I so do want the solution. The pain and frustration is making me quite ill.