Fatigue

A topic on the conversation of everyone in my age group is fatigue. We all complain of lack of energy, motivation and zest. I have a dozen friends with two at the far low end of the energy spectrum who have suffered for some years with this lack of energy, chronic exhaustion and both have sought medical help to no avail. At the bottom of the list is a man, the husband of a friend who has suffered some kind of motorneuron problem. Then there is a friend who moved recently and we both thought she was worn out from the rigors of packing up and moving, but she never got her energy back. Both of these two are are th lowest end of the energy spectrum, the man is gone from walker to wheel chair. Both are around 80. The woman is still functional. Then in the middle is me and 5 pr 6 other friends all of whom are mobile and functional but we suffer from lack of energy. I used to solve that problem with Dunkin Donut's latte' in the morning that would give me a little wave of energy that would carry me through the early part of the day. Then I would slow down again in the afternoon and tuck up for the evening.

I attributed my tiredness to old age. I am, after all 80 which is a very old age to which most people in the century of my birth did not arrive. I figured I was powering down because my body was wearing out, like any animal. My friends attribute their tiredness to some mysterious so far undiagnosed illness like chronic fatigue or an immune disorder of some kind. But what for a solution?

I was joking that it is too bad Dexatrim is off the market. It was a popular over the counter diet pill from the 70's to which many women became addicted because it was basically, SPEED! It was definitely a mother's little helper giving exhausted mothers that surge of energy to get the kids off and get the housework done and the dinner on the table. Sadly, as with all outside stimulants, the body becomes accustomed and you have to have more and more of it.

My only thoughts are that a habitual structure, for me, including lists and stated intentions, laid on a groundwork of character are all that I have to rely on. My two weeks mostly bed ridden after the accident and the pain that accompanied any effort to get up and move around, put me far behind. Since I have come home however the old tried and true of setting intentions and making a list including the simplest daily maintenance activities helps. Also, I try not to sleep late.

In summer, I awaken early usually around 7:00, then in winter I sleep to 9:00 because it is dark and cold. I try to keep to this schedule. I sleep at 11:00 pm. Sometimes I begin to drift to later sleep and later awakening, and I have to make an effort to adjust back. I am wary of creeping bad habits.

My daily journal is like my assignment book and my report card. It really helps me structure and discipline my days. Also, companionship helps a lot. Today, my top of the chart high energy friend Barb is coming for lunch. Last week she treated to pumpkin ravioli from Iliano's Cucina in Shamong, and this week I paid and she picked it up. I am not yet able to confirm that I could sit in a hair in a restaurant through an hour long meal after a ride in the car to the restaurant. I don't know if my neck will hold up and when it begins to hurt, I have to recline with a pillow right away. It hurts.

Yesterday a neighbor dropped by and I walked with him around the two sides of the corner on my CANE without a WALKER! Second time trying that and it was s success. It does tire me out though. I hope to build up stamina over time.

Still doing my exercises on the porch that were assigned from PT at the Rehab and waiting for a call from in-home PT to schedule an appointment.

Steady progress. My two top of the chart energy bunnies Nancy and Barbara, have always been high energy women and they both have always had the habit of daily exercise - hiking for Barbara 20,000 steps, and the gym and a personal trainer for Nancy. Now Barb has a gym routine as well and a fitness class every morning. They have always been high energy and I think it is genetic.

Well that's about it for today's blog post. For the middle of the "where's my energy" group there are about 5 or 6 of us who wonder why we are so tired. Two at the top, two at the bottom and 6 in the middle.

May the force be with you!

wrightj45@yahoo.com (I think they have fixed the comments section if you wish to give it a try!)