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by Diane Gallagher, Certified Fitness Instructor

Any doctor who's expert in the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/CFIDS/ME) will confirm what you already know: if you exercise one day, you're likely to feel sicker than usual the next day.

But then the doctor may well go on to tell you that inactivity—lack of exercise—can lead to cardiovascular disease, brittle bones, increased susceptibility to injury, and increased fatigue, weakness, stiffness, aches, and  pains. It's quite a conflicting message. As both a person with CFIDS and a fitness instructor—which sounds like an  oxymoron, I know—I hope I can shed some light on  the issue of sensible, graduated exercise for patients.

About six years ago I was, among other things, teaching 12 aerobics classes as well as taking 2-3 dance classes each week. Then, one day, I was suddenly knocked off my formerly active feet by CFIDS/ME. After coming through the initial devastation of the illness (a process that took about two years of mourning my old life and the future I thought I'd have), I gradually improved to the point where I could do a bit more than shuttle back and forth between the bed and the couch.

I therefore decided to devise some kind of exercise program for myself. I was well aware of the dangers inherent in physical inertia, and I thought that someday I might recover from CFIDS/ME, only to be inflicted with other health problems resulting from my inactivity. I know it's hard to think ahead when the present is so dire, but hoping for a healthier future is what keeps most of us going, after all.

I quickly learned that many of the principles of exercise physiology no longer applied to my body. I had to approach things in a painstakingly and slow and cautious way. Eventually, it paid off; I actually began to feel the benefits of exercising.

I still have CFIDS/ME, which for me means being able to function (at times sluggishly) for a maximum of six hours each day at this point. (The remaining hours are spent on the old bed-couch shuttle.)

But I have more energy during those functional hours than I would if I didn't exercise. I'm strong and limber; my back and neck hurt less; I'm staving off osteoporosis, injuries, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure; and I don't feel like a worthless lump (not completely, anyway!)

Ultimately, I decided to take up teaching again, but this time, due to my limitations, I offered a therapeutic program geared to people with chronic illnesses.  About half of my clients have CFIDS/ME, Fibromyalgia (FM), or other illnesses; the other half are healthy and, for various reasons, want or need a gentle exercise program. It's a good mix. We "walking wounded" have been able to educate our healthier classmates about chronic illness, and the presence of healthy types keeps the classes from degenerating into "poor-me" sessions.

Through my teaching I've learned that there are as many varieties of CFIDS/ME as there are people who suffer from it. There are times in class when everyone is doing a different variation of an exercise—or simply opting to rest—to accommodate their own specific limitations.

I've also noticed an interesting difference in those with FM and CFIDS/ME. Because of their stiffness and joint pain, those with FM move slowly and painfully from one position to another. Those with CFIDS/ME generally move more fluidly, but due to their brain fog, have difficulty following directions.

So if a class that's sitting is asked to stand up, there's a clear demarcation between the two groups. The patients with Fibromyalgia grunt and struggle slowly to their feet; the patients with CFIDS/ME, with relative ease of movement, lie down!

If you decide to try exercising, it's essential to remember that your response will be much slower than in a healthy person. You'll probably feel worse for the first couple of weeks, so give it a month's try. In a couple of months you will probably notice that you're not as stiff or achy, and that you have more energy. In fact, I have one FM client who even says she has a spring in her step after class. Of course, it took many months for her to arrive at that point, and not everyone responds so markedly, but many do.

Here are some other tips for exercising with CFIDS/ME:

Following these guidelines can help you maintain optimum functioning (and future health) without exacerbating your CFIDS/ME symptoms. Forget about no pain, no gain and go for the burn—go for the return of greater suppleness and strength.

Diane Gallagher can be reached at Artisan Exercise in Wayland, Mass. 01778.