Back to March 2001: Ease Fatigue, Boost Energy
Suggested routine to regain energy?
- Question from Amanda: Can you describe what a good day's routine would be to get your energy levels up and working?
- Answers —Russell Portenoy, M.D.: I would never presume to outline a good day's routine because there is so much variation among people when trying to deal with the fatigue syndrome. It's really important to learn the kinds of tasks, and patterns of activities, that optimize the situation for the individual. This is why taking a good history is such a critical thing for a health care provider to do when a patient has fatigue. It is really best to individualize treatment and expectations.
- Lillian Nail, Ph.D., R.N.: In one of our studies right now we ask people to keep track of their activities for a few days and then we have a nurse who goes over that activity list with them and which of those things make a good day for them or what makes them feel good and what activities are optional or what things would be delegated to someone else and help them sort out their fatigue level at various times of the day and tailor their plan to do things they like to do and move other off of the plate. People have told us that they really appreciated doing that and they continued to use the plan when they were done in the pilot study. We are looking now to see if that will make a difference with fatigue.