Neurasthenia

I once wrote down a list almost exactly the same as yours 20 years ago. I started being very conscious of my body exactly as you have listed. It was diagnosed at the time as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome but it could just as easily have been Fibromyalgia or an unknown problem. Mine started after being terribly ill with viral pneumonia. I have never been able to find out exactly went wrong with body and have wasted time and energy arguing with doctors to try and find an answer.

There was an old condition called Neurasthenia Disorder

Neurasthenia is characterised by general lassitude, irritability, lack of concentration, worry, and hypochondria; including painful sensations or numbness in parts of the body, chronic fatigue, anxiety, and fainting. Some medical historians believe that neurasthenia may actually be the same as the modern day disorder of chronic fatigue syndrome. It is characterised by persistent and distressing symptoms of exhaustion after minor mental or physical effort including general feeling of malaise, combined with a mixed state of excitement and depression. It may be accompanied by: muscular aches and pains, dizziness, tension headache, sleep disturbance, inability to relax or irritability. People suffering from it are unable to recover through rest, relaxation or enjoyment. Sleep is disturbed and restless, un-refreshing and often troubled with dreams.

The condition is characterised by a number of different types as follows:

• Cerebral. - Headaches are the prominent symptom. Insomnia, characterised by waking un-refreshed; despondency; anxiety, worry, and fearful, free fall anxiety of impending danger. A continued tired Washed-out” feeling is generally present.
• Spinal. - . Backache, with tenderness along the spine, is characteristic. Other manifestations may include tingling, crawling, or burning sensation, or certain parts will feel hot or cold.
• Gastro-Intestinal - Hyperacidity, waterbrash, nausea, retching, and vomiting. Waterbrash is the spontaneous flooding of the mouth with a clear, slightly salty fluid, which may be of sufficient quantity to require expectoration (spit). The source of the fluid appears to be the salivary glands. People sleep poorly, has unpleasant dreams, and develops an irritable disposition. There is flatulency, rumbling of the bowels, constipation may alternate with diarrhoea and a sense of weight or soreness over the abdomen.
• Cardiac - While there is no organic reason, the person may experience palpitations and sometimes sharp pain similar to angina.
• Urinary - The quantity of urine expelled is usually small. The patient becomes irritable, and experience dull headaches.

Associated Features:

Rapid intense heartbeat that may be irregular (palpitations, tachycardia).
Cold extremities, clammy hands and feet.
Abnormally rapid breathing (hyperventilating).
Dizziness or faintness.
Periodic sighing
Sweating for no apparent reason.
By restless fidgeting.
Over-sensitivity.

Some modern thinking believes that Chronic Fatigue and similar conditions including ME and Fibromyalgia is caused by a misalignment in the joint between the skull and first vertebrae that restricts the spinal cord and interrupts the free flow of nerve impulses; including those to the biliary system. Some other research may indicate that a viral infection may cause damage to a single protein within the nervous system.

Whatever the cause there doesn't appear to be a satisfactory diagnosis or specific treatment regime. However, it is possible to improve ones outlook by adopting some changes to ones life.

In outline the steps to recovery are:

• Sleep. Early to bed and early to rise, etc.
• Nutrition. Eat wholesome food in a way to suit you. (A combination diet may help)
• Exercise. Adopt a more active regime including regular rhythmic exercise.
• Relaxation. Take time out for yourself, by yourself to chill.
• Stretch. Stretch every morning and think about doing Tai Chi or something similar.
• Psychology. Get rid of negative thoughts and be happy with yourself.
• Social. Get involved with other people and laugh every day.
• Stop taking medication unless it is essential.

Perhaps the most distressing element of the condition is Brainfog. Brainfog, malaise or fugue are terms given to the variety of cognitive problems that many chronic illness sufferers. Brainfog has a variety of symptoms including poor memory, difficulties using language, and difficulties with learning. These symptoms tend to descend in a haze or "fog," around the sufferer. It appears epitomised by poor language skill, like a kind of dyslexia, problems remembering numbers, finding the right words, spelling, retaining new information etc. It can become so sever that it becomes impossible to understand a single sentence or instruction without seeking clarification. It appears that this is an all too common condition reported by people with a congested liver complaint. It looks to be linked to the descending spiral of chronic illness involving brain chemistry, sleep deprivation, sleep disorders, decreased blood flow and depression. Studies show that chronic illness can cause decreased blood flow to certain areas of the brain responsible for creating short term memories. Low level latent pain causes stress and gnaws away at the brain diverting its attention from cognitive tasks. Try thinking logically if you’re upset of angry and scale that down to the chronic underlying poor temperament that you get from nagging poor health. Depression lowers the levels of serotonin in the brain, preventing new memories from being laid down. Low levels of serotonin are also linked with learning difficulties.

It took me a long time to find the new me, what my limits were and to function consistently. Tweet