Tag Archives: anaerobic

Opportunity Lost

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

The CDC hosted a conference call for ME/CFS patients and advocates today. The highlight of the call was a presentation from Dr. Ian Lipkin about his pathogen and immunology work in ME/CFS. But we received an important update on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Research | Tagged , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Two Is Better Than One

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

My confidence in two-day cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is pretty obvious on this blog. A new study from ME/CFS experts Dr. Chris Snell, Staci Stevens, Dr. Todd Davenport, and Dr. Mark VanNess supplies hard data that shows how important a … Continue reading →

Posted in Research | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Heart Rate and Beta Blockers

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

Beta blockers are routinely prescribed to ME/CFS patients who have orthostatic intolerance. But because of the medication’s effects on heart rate, it can be challenging to incorporate heart rate monitoring into the picture. After some uncertainty, I have managed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Meeting METS

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

It has been more than a year since I had a two-day exercise test. My exercise test report was full of all kinds of jargon, and over the last year I have been trying to decode and apply it to … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Moving On Up

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

For years, the Pacific Fatigue Lab at the University of the Pacific has done the best research on exercise and ME/CFS. Staci Stevens, Dr. Chris Snell, and their collaborators perfected the use of two-day cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in people … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying, Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Comparing Exercise Advice

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

Exercise is an issue for every CFS patient, and there is no shortage of advice on whether and how to do it. On January 14th, the CDC hosted a conference call as part of its Patient Centered Outreach and Communication … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

Insufficient Data

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

One of the most frustrating aspects of coping with CFS is the lack of definitive data. A PubMed search for “chronic fatigue syndrome” yields 4,877 results (as of today), but as a patient on the front lines I have to … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Rest Medicine

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

I have been working really hard at resting. That probably doesn’t make sense, but I have been struggling to incorporate preemptive rest into my routine and it feels like a lot of work. The rationale for preemptive rest is that … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Imperfect

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

I’ve had a craptastic week. Three crash days, including one that involved a three hour “nap.” I don’t understand what triggered these crash days, but I never do. Usually, crash days take me by surprise because whatever activity I’ve been … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Preemptive Rest

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

I continue to wear my heart rate monitor every day, and generally listen to its alarm.  When it starts to sound, I sit down (although not instantaneously I will admit). And when I hit the part of the day where … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments