Emerging from Survival Mode

I've been back in town since Saturday, but I've been in survival mode since then.

When I travel for work, I have to conserve every ounce of energy possible and rest as much as possible. If I don't do these things, I'll have a big crash during or after my trip. Sometimes after a trip I can feel that I'm on the verge of a major crash. That's when I go into survival mode.

I should probably explain what I mean by "survival mode."

I can usually still work when I'm in survival mode, but not always. Survival mode is when I use the minimal amount of physical and mental energy necessary to get through the day. It means going to bed earlier and waking up later. It means I eat a protein bar for breakfast instead of using energy to have cereal and yogurt. It means I avoid going upstairs to the computer (I've got a lot of catching up to do on other people's blogs!). It means no cooking, cleaning, or housework. It means less talking, moving, and thinking.

Today is the first time I've been on my computer at home since before my trip. I'm glad that I've finally started feeling better because I have another trip coming up. I leave Sunday!

Today's Activities: work. Today's Most Annoying Symptoms: exhaustion, muscle fatigue, itchiness inside ears.

Mood (10 is best): 6
Energy (10 is best): 3
Physical Discomfort (10 is worst): 3

Traveling with CFIDS is Rough

Hello from California! I'm in the Golden State this week on business. Just thought I'd check in with a short post since I was already online checking my work email.

Traveling with CFIDS is rough.

Carrying luggage, walking through airports, and flying (on a four hour flight!) is exhausting. Throw in a dash of migraine and a pinch of motion sickness, and you've got a recipe for serious discomfort.

Luckily, my dash of migraine didn't turn into to a full-blown migraine, but I did end up taking one Extra-Strength Tylenol and one regular Motrin (thank goodness for hotel mini-marts).

I'm going to get ready for bed now. Fortunately, my first appointment tomorrow isn't until 9am.

Maybe one day I'll post some advice about traveling with CFIDS.

Today's Activities: travel for work. Today's Most Annoying Symptoms: exhaustion, severe headache (beginning of a migraine), nausea.

Mood (10 is best): 8
Energy (10 is best): 3
Physical Discomfort (10 is worst): 8

Back from the Midwestern US

I'm back from my whirlwind business trip to the Midwestern United States. In just one week, I visited Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio.

I saw so many corn fields on my trip that I decided I needed to get my picture in front of one. That's me in the photo. A friend of mine that I was able to visit in Nebraska took the picture.

Needless to say, the trip was exhausting. Thank goodness I was able to find plenty of time for daily naps.

My body is in recovery mode, so I spent most of today sleeping.

I have to admit it is pretty odd that someone with CFIDS would have a job like mine that requires travel. Travel is one of the most exhausting things a person with this disease can do. I estimate that I end up traveling for work maybe four or five weeks per year (all spread out).

What makes this kind of travel bearable for me is that I am able to sleep well on planes (and any moving vehicles, really). I often sleep from the moment I sit in my seat (before takeoff) until the plane lands. My trip schedules also allow me to take regular afternoon naps or go to bed early.

Of course, these trips do take their toll on me. Still, I enjoy them because I love to travel.

Today's Activities: home. Today's Most Annoying Symptoms: exhaustion, drowsiness, muscle fatigue.

Mood (10 is best): 6
Energy (10 is best): 3
Physical Discomfort (10 is worst): 2

P.S. Happy (belated) Birthday to my Dad!