Raena Morgan: Muscle fatigue and muscle pain are hallmarks of fibromyalgia. Isn't that true?
Dr. Christopher Lepisto: Right. Yes, that's right.
Raena Morgan: And you've indicated that, usually you're better with rest and not so with activity. I have found that to be the opposite. The more activity I get, the better off I am.
Dr. Christopher Lepisto: Let's talk more about that because it's a very good question. In general, what we see is that, that people with chronic fatigue fibromyalgia type symptoms have a definite threshold of the amount of activity that they can have. In other words, they can handle so much and beyond that point people get exhausted very quickly, very easily.
So, small amounts of exercise and movement are helpful because they help keep the joints mobile. It's like a rusty hinge. When you start moving it, it's squeaky and real hard to move at first, but it gets easier to move. That's what's beneficial for most people like yourself. However, it's the excessive amounts like too much aerobic exercise when you, you've gone beyond the threshold of your particular constitution. That's what puts people into these chronic fatigue states, from too much exercise.
Raena Morgan: So, you're talking about a threshold here.
Dr. Christopher Lepisto: Yes, which is distinctly unique for each individual and that's something what we're working with, you know. We want, I want people to exercise and take care of themselves. But people with chronic fatigue have to make sure they do the amount they need and no more.
Raena Morgan: And that applies to fibromyalgia too, because the symptoms are very similar.
Dr. Christopher Lepisto: Yes and they're basically indistinguishable in many regards.
Raena Morgan: Well, thank you.
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