ME/CFS: Dealing With A Setback Part 1

In Part 1 Coach and Trainer Simon Pimenta will talk about why the way we respond to a relapse is important, and can make things better, or worse.

Please read this to get the most from Part 2, where Simon will share strategies that can help how we handle the relapse, and also how quickly we recover.

Anyone who has experienced ME/CFS, chronic fatigue syndrome, long-term covid, fibromyalgia, POTS, and related conditions will know what it’s like to relapse.

Maybe you have overdone it, didn’t sleep well, or ate something that upset your digestive system.

When I had ME/CFS, any of the above could knock me out and leave me bed-bound for days or weeks.

Over-exercise could cause it, but if I didn’t exercise enough, I wouldn’t sleep well, which could have the same effect: a setback.

I would lie in bed chastising myself, feeling frustrated and annoyed with myself that a setback had happened yet again.

I would blame myself, even when it was unfair to do so.

Does that sound familiar?

If this is not something you have done, that’s great.

If It is something you recognise you do, read on.

Doing what I used to do; getting frustrated etc was unhelpful. Here’s why.

The Stress Response

Any time we have thoughts, feelings, internal dialogue or internal images that generate stress; for instance feeling frustrated and annoyed, we activate the stress response, otherwise known as the fight or flight mechanism.

Hormones including adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol are released into the bloodstream.

This mechanism evolved to protect our ancestors when in a threatening situation; perhaps being faced with a sabre toothed tiger or invaders, priming them for action.

These activate dramatic physical changes in the body, affecting our:

Energy

Our body converts energy stores to blood sugar, and we use energy less efficiently if we are frequently and unnecessarily switching on this stress response.

When the fight or flight mechanism is activated, the body stops laying down energy stores.

That explains why even though I was sleeping for 12 hours, as well as sleeping during the day, I woke up feeling exhausted.

Thinking

Rational thinking is suppressed, and reactive thinking takes over, which is why when people are under stress, they say things that they later regret, and can overreact to situations.

Digestion

The digestive system is affected.

Blood is diverted from the digestive tract to the limbs.

If this happens regularly, then we do not digest and utilize food efficiently.

In the long term, this can result in digestive issues, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or ulcers.

This may explain why even though you may be taking supplements, that alone hasn’t helped you get better.

Sleep

We experience light or interrupted sleep.

If the brain thinks that we are under threat, then we won’t experience deep refreshing sleep, where vital repair functions are carried out.

Immune System

The Immune System is suppressed.

We are three times more likely to get a cold when stressed, according to research.

If you want to read more about this, the book ‘Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers’ by Professor Robert Saplosky, at Stanford University is a good resource.

Stress and Health

I suspect that most people know that when you are unwell, your tolerance of stress is limited or lower compared to when you are well.

When you are healthy, the same amount of stress would probably not have caused you much of a problem, but when you are unwell, even small amounts of stress can leave you feeling exhausted.

In Part 2 I will share strategies that may help how we handle the relapse.

You can read Part 2 here but before you do….

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SIMON PIMENTA is a hypnotherapist, coach and trainer working with people to boost resilience and performance, and minimise stress.

After working in a demanding job as the Director of a Housing Trust, he went off sick and remained unable to work for the next 8 years.

He discovered a pioneering approach to resolving health issues and quickly got back his health, and now trains others using these same techniques, to help them become happier, healthier and achieve their goals.