What could be the cause of Exercise Intolerance?

For years, I have been limited in the amount of exercise I can do. One day I can ride an exercise bike for 12 minutes and all is good. The next day, I ride the same amount, and I feel good at the time, but end up not sleeping well, or feeling crappy the next day or days. What do you think causes this and how can it be fixed? Are there some lab tests, I should get? The literature suggests graded exercise, but I can never seem to really feel comfortable when I am exercising. Usually, I feel good when the endorphins kick in, its just I am always concerned whether I did too much. Thanks for your help.

Answer

A lot depends on whether you have chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia (widespread pain) associated with this. Either way, Overall, improve energy production by taking a good vitamin powder (I recommend the Energy Revitalization System, taking ribose (Corvalen) 5 g twice a day, coenzyme Q 10 200 mg a day, and making sure you're able to get a good night sleep. Can find more information on both the supplements above and optimizing sleep at End Fatigue. The Energy Analysis Program can tailor a regimen to help you optimize your energy. If chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia is present, (exhausted but can't sleep and have widespread pain are also present) then these would need to be treated to go after the post exertional fatigue. Optimizing energy in general helps, but see my book From Fatigued to Fantastic for much more information, and you may want to consider a consultation with me (this can be done by phone – contact Denise for information on making an appointment.

L&B,
Dr. T