[Bipnik]

I was just wondering if anyone else has severe chronic fatigue syndrome) aswell as Bipolar? If so how does it affect your hyper mania/ mania? I go hyper where I can't stop doing things and moving but eventually my CFS and fibromyalgia kick in and slow me down for a short while, I still feel hyper but I just can't move as fast coz my body is tired. Then I'm running about again like a lunatic. Can anyone else with CFS relate to this? Or maybe I'm not really Bipolar ( the pdoc says I am)

[Wild Coyote]

Yes. When I am hypomanic (BP2), my body/brain get fatigued, while the hypomania urges keep going. It feels very strange to have both hypomania and systemic fatigue both going on at the same time.

In the U.S, CFS is now termed SEID, "Systemic Exertional Intolerance Disorder," which describes the main characteristic of CFS. People with CFS do not recover from exercise/exertion, including cognitive exertion, like others recover. It takes a person with CFS extra days to recover.

Someone with CFS/SEID cannot, for example, swim everyday, as their body has not recovered from the previous day yet. I cannot do my 2 mile walk on consecutive days, as I need a full day of recovery. "Exertional Intolerance" is the prime characteristic of CFS and is required to qualify for CFS diagnosis.

It can get very confusing when another illness is co-occurring with CFS and/or BP illness.

CFS and FMS are two of my many diagnoses. I'd participated in research for both conditions for 15 years, starting in the 1990s. I also live with BP2 and additional physical illness diagnoses, mostly autoimmune, showing up after the CFS and FMS diagnoses.

I am sorry you are afflicted by CFS, FMS and Bipolar.


WC

My friend has told me several times she thinks I have CFS and I do seem to have the symptoms of it but am diagnosed with just fibromyalgia and schizoeffective. "Just" is not the word to use in situations like these. It's terrible and confusing. I have times where I run in circles and times I can't run even an inch. I too though it was primarily my physical issues causing the mental (wearing myself down when more well and crashing into oblivion when I'm not) I understand the confusion but I think they are very seperate of illnesses and so very sad having both. I think they feed off each other as another member of this board once wrote. They are like gasoline and a match and should'nt be near each other but are. I wish I had words of wisdom to share but I've been battling them together a long while and just seem to get more confused and brought down by it all. There are good days, or hours, or minutes and that is what I've learned to live for but it's been hard lately and today is especially hard so I'm sorry if my post doesn't sound encouraging right now. Sending you hugs and positive thoughts for healing. (((Hugs)))

[Wild Coyote]

Elsa, you sound just fine.
I am sorry you are having a tough day.
On this topic, having CFS and/or FMS and MI sucks!
It's not a joyful topic.

WC

[Bipnik]

Thank you both so much for responding to my post! I am so sorry that you both have to suffer these enduring illnesses! But I am so glad I am not alone! My community psychiatric nurse has been questioning my dx because I slowed down abit during a conversation!! I had been talking at high speed and laughing inappropriately to a serious conversation that I got warn out a quietened for a very short time because my brain was tired! It is bad enough that we have to suffer this without being over analysed aswell! I also have Bipolar 2

[Wander]

I have CFS and BP1. My CFS has improved over the years but when I'm hypo/manic I overdo it and crash badly later. The key is to pace your activity and gradually increase it when possible. Hard to do when music and feeling indestructible. I'm currently exhausted after a lengthy mixed episode. Going on past experiences it should settle in two weeks. I'm sorry you have both. It can be difficult to manage. Do you have a specialist for your CFS? My rheumatologist has helped me immensely. I used to be house bound and now I can exercise three days a week.

[Bipnik]

Hi Wander, Gosh I can't imagine having to go through full blown manic episodes! I am sorry you've gone through a mixed episode! I recently had a short spell of a mixed episode and really couldn't cope with it! I hope Ur not too wiped! Be kind to yourself and get plenty of rest! ( Yeah like we have a choice!) No I am not under a specialist for CFS but I have made some progress as I too used to be bed ridden. It is fantastic that u can exercise 3 times a week!!! I can barely do anything! Thx so much for sharing your experience!