Crushing fatigue that strikes out of nowhere. Could this be a relapse of my previous PVS/CFS?

[gaelicsheep]

By crushing fatigue I mean the most appalling tiredness that strikes suddenly and makes me feel that I absolutely have to sleep now - if I can't, like if I'm on my own with the children, then I will just be a complete wreck and burst into tears with sheer exhaustion. I described this to the HV and she thinks it could be my PVS flaring up again after the new baby (DD is 10 weeks old). I have been much better for a good few years now, generally speaking, so I hadn't linked these episodes to the PVS but it seems to make perfect sense now I think about it.

Does anyone else experience episodes like this? How on earth do you cope with caring for children? Currently I'm afraid to be left alone with the children, or to take them out, in case the fatigue strikes and it's putting a big strain on our family life.

Yes I've had this for years, also I go really cold before hand and will only sleep for a couple of minutes but have been known to fall asleep whilst eating and talking.

I think I've got to the bottom of mine and have it alot less now - I'm lactose intolerant and have also worked out if I eat food with a high starch content (not carb, starch) such as bananas, potatoes I get it as well. Ive looked into it and its something to do with my ability or inability to digest these things and them running around undigested in my body causing intolerances and allergy reactions. Since the birth of DD1 I had a lot more symptoms and problems hence working out the lactose thing.

I'm not sure if what you have is similar? It might be worth keeping a food diary for a few days to see if you see any patterns to when you get the sleep now feeling and what you've eaten in the last 8 hours. Hope that helps!!

It could be - do you have any of your other symptoms?

It's hard to say really, as obviously a new baby causes tiredness. But I've always believed this complete exhaustion is something apart from mere sleep deprivation, and the HV agrees. Oops - baby is stirring, more later - or tomorrow!

as we get older we are all more sensitive to food intolerances such as to wheat. dairy etc. My DH is exhausted with only a tiny bit of ANY wheat.

I get this tiredness due to heart problems... fairly nonstop. So can really sympathise. I hope that whatever it is you're going through, it goes away soon...

I cope simply by doing what I can, and my trying to prioritise what needs to be done and how best I can use what energy I have. (Our cleaner is fab :o) And by staying away from annoying people who bleat on about being exhausted because they went clubbing after their DCs were in bed...

No experience of this with a baby but the main thing I learnt after CBT for PVS/CFS was to not overdo it on days you feel well and not underdo it on days you don't because you end up in a cycle. You can do too much one day cos you feel great and then the next pay for it by feeling crap. So try to do a similar amount of activity every day and keep to the same sleep routine. I know this is probabl really hard.

It's important to rest if you need to, but try not to spend too much time in bed.

I hope this helps. :)

Yes, AuntieMaggie - I remember that vicious cycle all too well! I always was guilty of trying to do too much and paying for it for the next few days. I'm still not sure if this is or isn't related to my previous problems. I've been diagnosed with postnatal depression which obviously can cause exhaustion in itself.

The constant kind of tiredness I can usually deal with as I've had it for so many years I've forgotten what it's like not to be tired! It's just those crazy times when the extreme fatigue strikes all of a sudden that are really getting to me. It's making me scared to leave the house with the children in case I'm too unwell to drive home again. When I'm at home I've been thinking of coping mechanisms for when it strikes - reserving favourite DVDs to watch with DS, for example, whilst letting DD suck to her heart's content.

I had thought it could be a food intolerance as I have noticed it sometimes strikes after lunch, but I haven't the attention span just now to religiously keep a food diary. It would be a good idea though and I'll try to start one some time soon.