How can I reduce my post-exercise pain and fatigue?

Published: January 2, 2013
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I exercise very moderately or lightly now as I can't figure out (despite being at one time a very active tennis player and walker) how the amount of exercise has a terrible consequence. The amount of pain at night I have is usually dependent on the amount of exercise and consequently the amount of sleep. I am hypothryoid and take T4 and also take trazadone 150 mgs to sleep, as I have had chronic sleep problems for 15 years and probably fibromyalgia though I know many doctors including my endocrinologist feel it is connected with the hypothyroidism. I barely have any thyroid tissue is what I know. Is there any way to keep exercising while avoiding these effects? My regular doctor does not understand how I don't feel better with exercise but worse. I do it but it is not fun knowing there is a definite cause and effect! Tried mag. tart cherry, calcium, but to no avail.

Answer

The combination of fatigue, insomnia, and post-exertional malaise is suggestive of a problem with energy production, as can be seen in conditions such as CFS. I would do the Energy Analysis program at www.endfatigue.com and read my book From Fatigued to Fantastic to give you a better idea of what is contributing to your issues and how to improve. I have seen D-Ribose have a great effect on my patients with post-exertional fatigue and muscle pain.

In addition, I do both phone and in-person consultations (contact Denise at office@endfatigue.com for more information or to schedule).

Overall, using a lower dose of trazodone and adding a low dose of other options to get sleep, while optimizing thyroid dosing based on symptoms instead of just the lab tests, may be a good start, and working with a Holistic Physician is a good idea (see http://www.ABIHM.org).

L&B,

Dr. T

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD

is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.

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