Exploring ENERGY Equilibrium Strategies for Individuals who Experience Post Exertional Malaise (PEM)
Announcing a new resource by Autism Level UP! and All Brains Belong VT
Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is a hallmark symptom of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID.
This refers to worsening symptoms following even minimal activity (physical, cognitive, emotional, or even just being upright resisting gravity). Symptoms can be fatigue, pain, headache, sore throat, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, “crash” or generalized malaise.
It can be challenging for people who experience PEM to regulate their nervous systems. Before they became sick, many people relied on certain activities to regulate their nervous systems/energy that now result in PEM – for example, high intensity exercise. Many people are now in a place where they don’t yet have replacement strategies.
This resource provides a framework for:
- Understanding what PEM is (and is not)
- A framework for understanding the role of nervous system regulation in managing PEM
- Tools for exploring energy regulation strategies