WWYD? Fatigue vs exhaustion

[LittleMissnotLittleMrs]

I didn't understand the difference, I really didn't. Even when a family member was diagnosed with a condition that left them with severe fatigue. But now I suffer from fatigue. Undiagnosed brain tumours, critical migraines, brain surgery, 12 weeks of radiotherapy all in the last 2.5 years. I've been a mess! But I've also managed to go back to work full time in there somewhere till the next hurdle was met and I'm determined and finally I'm heading back to work NOW!

BUT how do I cope, when people ask how I am and I'm genuinely fine just really struggling to manage my energy due to my fatigue and they reply, yes I know how you feel, I'm exhausted too. NO YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! Exhaustion is not the same as fatigue. You don't understand unless you've been diagnosed yourself or live with a bad sufferer.

I don't want to snarl at colleagues but do I:
A) smile politely while seething and suddenly have to be somewhere
B) commiserate and ask when they were diagnosed
C) explain I have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue (which I haven't)
D) tell them they don't know what they are talking about and go away until they have learned the difference.

I like these people. I've not known them long due to having been off ill. But it drives me demented. Help!

Well done for getting back to work
I'm a sufferer of a (diagnosed) health condition that leaves me with chronic fatigue, in your situation I would print out the "spoon theory" and circulate them to your colleagues.

I've seen that theory but why wouldn't they just say that they use the same amount of spoons. I use a metaphor about batteries. Exhaustion - batteries close to running out but can be recharged quickly and things can be done whilst recharging. Fatigue - non rechargeable batteries that are dead and no replacements handy. Functions not possible. But they still think they've got it just as bad!

@Bunkerlife sorry about that little strop. I'm certainly going to print it out and put it up by my desk, if only to remind myself what I've achieved to actually get back and thank you for the flowers. Hope you are managing to manage your 🥄spoons🥄 too x