Post exertional malaise (PEM)/ Post exertional symptom exacerbation (PESE) Why is it so confusing?

Mar 19, 2023

Dive into the complexities of Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM) and Post-Exertional Symptom Exacerbation (PESE). Learn how these conditions can be triggered by various factors, making daily life a challenge. Discover practical strategies for managing energy, identifying personal triggers through journaling, and the importance of pacing. The delay in symptom exacerbation adds to the confusion, but understanding these nuances can empower those affected. Tune in for insightful tools to improve quality of life!

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Understanding and Managing Post-Exertional Malaise

00:00 • 36min

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This episode considers PEM/PESE why is it so difficult to understand, manage and avoid? I discuss what PEM/PESE is and how is triggered and what that means to daily life.
I have spoken with many people who find they struggle to manage PEM as they can't understand what it is and what it does to the body. I have struggled with this myself as it seems to be able to occur with no reason.
PEM is triggered from exceeding the energy envelope which can be due to physical, emotional or mental use of energy. I find this makes it a taskmaster, working out what your personal triggers are, the delay in symptom exacerbation can make it confusing to work out at what point PEM was triggered.
I discuss journalling, to identify triggers and using pacing, monitoring symptoms, exacerbation of symptoms can be identified using this method and could be a tool to help avoid PEM. You can download my 4Ps planner from my link tree, the link is below. I hope you find this episode useful, as always please take care.

Today's links:
https://emerge.org.au
https://www.jospt.org - Lessons from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome for Long Covid: Postexertional symptom exacerbation is an abnormal response to exercise/activity
https://covidcharity.org
https://longcovid.physio

My Links:
Long Covid clinic -Dr Binita Kane & Julie Taylor; Email: info@thelongcovidclinic.co.uk for more information

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