There are circumstances that can cause people to gain weight that are beyond their control. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia patients find once they become ill they start gaining weight.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a disabling illness that causes profound exhaustion, muscle pain, sleep disturbances, cognitive difficulties and hormonal deficiencies and imbalances. Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that causes widespread muscle pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive difficulties (“Fibro Fog”), stiffness and headaches.
According to Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, author of From Fatigued to Fantastic, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients gain weight due to the hormonal imbalances, sleep disturbances and changes in activity levels. Hormonal imbalances, particularly the hypothyroidism found in CFS patients, cause the metabolism to slow down leading to weight gain. Cortisol, the “stress hormone”, is often low in CFS patients and this too can contribute to weight gain.
Sleeping properly eight to nine hours a night also helps keep the body functioning properly and the metabolism healthy. Fibromyalgia and CFS patients tend to have sleep disturbances and insomnia due to their bodies’ biological clocks going haywire. Because of lack of sleep and unpredictable sleeping patterns, weight gain is a result.
Exercise can become almost impossible in the beginning of these illnesses. The pain, fatigue and other symptoms of both CFS and Fibromyalgia can be completely disabling. If a CFS and Fibromyalgia patient try to exercise at the same intensity as before their illness, the ramifications can be great. Patients can become bedridden for a week up to months if they overdo with physical activity.
It can be a never ending cycle for these patients. They will be told by physicians they need to exercise to improve their overall health and well-being. Yet when they attempt exercising they can and often do feel worse. It is not hopeless for CFS and Fibromyalgia patients though. Exercising on a regular basis can be accomplished over time. Before beginning any exercise regimen, you should always consult with your physician – especially if you have health issues.
I have found from personal experience a gradual increase in exercise over time is the best regimen for CFS and Fibromyalgia sufferers. When I began my exercise regimen, I started walking on the treadmill three minutes a day, three days a week. I know to someone healthy that doesn’t sound like anything. For us with these illnesses that is all our bodies may be able to handle. The second week of my regimen I exercised three minutes a day, four days a week. Each week I would add one minute until I was walking 20 – 30 minutes five days a week. If I knew when I woke up I wasn’t feeling well I cut my time back.
When a CFS or Fibromyalgia flare hits and I can’t do anything for a while I have to start all over again at three minutes a day. It’s a never ending cycle, but it’s better than no exercise at all.
For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia patients it is important to keep hope and to realize that even if your life has changed, there are still ways to adjust, exercise and live happily.
Reference:
- From Fatigued To Fantastic, Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum
