Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & pregnancy

[HannahD]

Hello lovely ladies

I've only just found out i'm pg and I'm wondering when you start to tell people? So far we've told our parents and 2 of my closest friends.

The reason i'm wondering is I suffer from ME/CFS and already I'm exhausted more than normal. I work part-time and as there are only 2 of us in the office i'm not sure whether I should tell my boss yet or if I should leave it until the 3 months has passed. I know she'll get arsey if I have to have time off because of being tired or sick due to pregnancy ~ it's bad enough when I get a cold!! ~ so it's not a conversation i'm looking forward to.
Also, I work as a part-time dog walker and today I spent 30 mins walking 2 dogs and it just wiped me out. I know my clients well so I'm sure I could cut down the time I spend with them, so that's not a huge problem.

Does anyone else suffer with ME? How have you been coping? I know it affects us all differently but it would be interesting to know.

Thank you

 

[BabySols]

Hello and congratulations on your pregnancy We have told everyone to be honest as we were so excited and if the worst were to happen we would tell people anyway so we figured we might as well tell everyone the good news. I don't have ME but i am more tired than normal already so i totally sympathize with you hun, must be even more tiring for you right now

 

[Becky]

Hiya, I used to have ME, but have been what I consider "recovered" for about 7/8 years. All I can say is that pregnancy is similar to ME in that it's managable if you listen to your body and don't push it.

In terms of telling your boss, if you're worried then I would play it by ear and see if you need to tell. Don't be a hero though, if you need time to rest etc. then make sure you do. I'm a rubbish patient and find it really hard to take care of myself but one thing I think you have to do is nap and rest when you get the chance. Pregnancy is tiring but the good thing is it isn't permanent so those household chores can wait while you look after yourself!

 

[halemon]

i've suffered from CFS in the past and know how awful it can be, just take extra extra care of yourself and tell them, so they understand, its best to be honest about these things and if they reacted porrly to any time off thats their problem and not your fault at all.

good luck in your pregnancy

 

[M&Ms]

As soon as you tell her you are pregnant, there is not much she can do about it. She can't discriminate against you for being pregnant

 

[HannahD]

Thanks for the replies.

M&M you're right...what's she going to do?!! She's a bit of a cow and she gets the hump at the best of times when i'm off poorly. I was reading our employment manual and in it it said i was legally entitled to time off for morning sickness and other pregnancy related symptoms, which is reassuring....so I can go to her!!

I'm pretty much recovered and able to work but i'm amazed at how tired I am already. Just spoke to my SIL and she said her first 3 months she was exhausted but then it got better. As you say, I'll just have to take extra care and remember to pace myself~something i'm actually pretty crap at doing considering how long i've had this condition

 

[Becc]

I really sympathise with you on the tiredness chick. I'm absolutely exhausted and I'm perfectly healthy other than being pregnant!!

Your employer can't discriminate against you... but on the other hand, if you don't need to tell her just yet, at least you can put off her being a moody cow with you for a while

Hope that your SiL is right and that the tiredness does settle down a little for you xx

 

[HannahD]

It's strange because it comes in waves. One minute I'll be feeling relatively normal and then all of a sudden I just get this wave of exhaustion come over me. It's bizarre! Thankfully, I haven't started many symptoms yet, just peeing all the time and the odd bit of nausea, so I should be able to hold off telling her for a few months...well, that's the plan anyway!!

I love your avatar Becc! It's very funky 8)

 

[Becc]

I love your avatar Becc! It's very funky 8)

Thanks I got it in black and white on google and then spent a whole afternoon colouring it in on Paint

 

[Nikki Nakki Noo]

I also have chronic fatigue syndrome and have done now for 5 years this is also something im scared of as i am alredy getting quite tired and im not even 6 wks yet so god knows what im gonna be like during the rest of it especially the later stages!!!I also worry about how i am going to cope after as i love my sleep soooo much!!!

 

[Sal88]

Hello

I've had M.E for 8 years. Only recently gone back to work. I can't believe how tired I'm getting. It's like waves for me too, I'll have a burst of energy one minute and the next I'll find it hard to stand up. I'm also finding I don't get the energy kick from food like I used to. Eating always gave me a bit of a kick but baby is stealing it I think! I've just changed careers and am now training to be a chef, I told my employers because the job is so physical. I was worried they would get rid of me as I'm just a casual worker for now but they were very understanding. They know about the M.E and they are getting used to my regular breaks now. I would tell your employer, they can't sack you because you are pregnant and needing time off because of it. Your health and baby are more important than work.

It'd be lovely to keep in touch, I haven't spoken to anyone with M.E. who's pregnant. Send me a message if you like.

Sal xx

 

[Tasha20]

* Hannah I just realised this was an old post

sorry I got carried away with myself

 

[Nikki Nakki Noo]

Tasha dont worry it was a old post but i restarted it as was looking back and saw it and felt the need to add to it xx

 

[Serendipity_]

Tasha dont worry it was a old post but i restarted it as was looking back and saw it and felt the need to add to it xx

I know but Hannah miscarried her baby.

 

[Nikki Nakki Noo]

Oh i am so sorry