Hello im new here, my name is Gareth, 41 years old, I was diagnosed in 2020 just before pandemic hit. Fun times. 
Every few months I have been hitting a wall in terms of energy levels, I enjoy working out as part of my routine and when these energy dips happen it can take a few weeks for them to return to normal.
Ive just heard about autistic fatigue and was wondering if anybody else has experience of this in regards to their energy levels?
Thanks
There are some great articles about autism and autism fatigue written by an autistic woman on this site www.autismchrysalis.com/.../
Hi everyone
Fatigue tell me about it. Believe it or not I’m at my worst first thing in the morning. I don’t know if it’s because it’s a long day ahead and I’m over thinking it or if it’s from the day before. I can only compare it to trying to function with a hangover, not that I drink as my body can’t cope with it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I just feel panicked and exhausted but then miraculously if I’m super focused on something I’m fine.
shaun
Anxiety meds can definitely make you feel more tired than usual- I'm on a low dose of amitriptyline at the moment for chronic pain and when it starts working I pretty much just fall asleep right away.
Hello 85361 - I am Number. Good to meet you. You are very welcome here and I hope to see you on the pages for a while......there are lots of "yous" in this place.....and yet none.
I usually sleep longer than twelve hours after exhaustion.
I'm currently at my friend's house - staying overnight, tonight, as my electricity will be off tomorrow for essential maintenance - and his brother is sleeping in the spare room; possibly until the evening time. I had some Autistic Fatigue after driving him to Draperstown, and back, on a dodgy road with blind hairpins; a truck was behind me, too.
It's kind of nice knowing I'm not going mad
Gareth, I think you missed the word "alone" off the end of this sentence ?!?
You raised an interesting thread - thank you.
Thank you all so much for the replies. It's kind of nice knowing I'm not going mad, from this point on I'm going to limit my physical exercise and allow my body and mind enough energy to function as it needs. I'm also on medication for anxiety which maybe plays a part too.
Thanks again.
Sorry to hear this, I usually have real bad fatigue after a burnout, the past few weeks I have been very emotional, overloaded with sense, lots going on, and found myself sleeping more than I usually do. I had a huge burnout and meltdown on Monday, and yesterday I was knackered. I was asleep by 8pm and slept right through til 9am this morning. My partner asked me this morning and I tried to explain why I went to bed so early but it’s hard to explain what a burnout is like and the fatigue that comes with and follows. Just lots of rest, water and music helps me but is a quick fix, need to find something longer term.
... possibly because I can do them at any time..
That's an interesting point.....that makes me think.
My trike has 2 rear wheels, so no zwift for me. My Dad made me a roller for it, but it is heavy going as there is a lot of weight through the back so it is a bit like cycling through mud. I think it needs a stand so the weight is not on the rollers quite so much. Might be easier with road tyres instead of knobblies too! But when I ride outside I prefer to go off road.
I would like to be able to do a different form of exercise so different muscles get to do some work too though! I don't seem to have the right kind of discipline to make myself do x amount of situps etc a day... possibly because I can do them at any time... I think some kind of static machine might be good, but have no space for anything large.
Now I have the energy to go cycling two or three times a week and for a bit else, but I struggle a lot with motivation and do not have the abundant energy I had hoped exercise would give me! I do prioritise going cycling, although the weather can be a problem, and it is a rare week if I don't manage at least twice, but i could really do with finding a way to exercise when the weather is bad. I think it would ideal if i could exercise 5 or 6 times a week.
Cycling is about the only thing I do too due to ankle injury. It's so good for my mental health.
Due to this injury though I was struggling and was fortunate enough to afford an e-bike which enabled me to commute on 15 mile a day a few times a week and that was great.
Is your trike a rear single wheel model. I use a turbo trainer sometimes over the winter with Zwift, not sure if you're aware of the platform but it is a very interactive online platform with other people virtually riding..
Might be worth a look?
Well, snow is forecast!
So that must mean that (a) Hell is freezing over (b) the moon is falling out of orbit and (c) one of the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse is actually riding an inflatable lama !
I agree to what you have said! (For a change!)
I was diagnosed AS in lockdown. I now know fatigue is different to tiredness. I now know the feeling I had pre-diagnosis was fatigue. I know this because there are some comparable feelings between that and a health condition I now have which is a bit like cfs. They feel quite similar. I wonder if some of it is down to becoming deconditioned during lockdown to a world which was more suitable. I also wonder if some of it comes as some sort of post-diagnosis release. Have you looked into spoon theory?
But I find there is a difference between feeling physically tired and other forms of tired. Lack of sleep feels different from after exercise, mental exhaustion is different again, as is fatigue from emotional stress. Socialising causes another different kind of tired. I wonder how many different tirednesses I feel? Never really tried to count them before.
Very well put - and I agree entirely.
I have very poor energy levels. I do also have a physical disability and always used to assume it was related to that, until I was diagnosed with stress/anxiety which also saps energy. But even when I reduced stress I still have energy problems. Then a couple of years ago I realised autism was likely the reason underlying it all.
Because of my physical disability I thought I was unable to exercise, which led to a downward spiral. But then I had a medical kick up the backside forcing me to find a way to exercise and that did turn things around slowly. Now I have the energy to go cycling two or three times a week and for a bit else, but I struggle a lot with motivation and do not have the abundant energy I had hoped exercise would give me! I do prioritise going cycling, although the weather can be a problem, and it is a rare week if I don't manage at least twice, but i could really do with finding a way to exercise when the weather is bad. I think it would ideal if i could exercise 5 or 6 times a week.
But I find there is a difference between feeling physically tired and other forms of tired. Lack of sleep feels different from after exercise, mental exhaustion is different again, as is fatigue from emotional stress. Socialising causes another different kind of tired. I wonder how many different tirednesses I feel? Never really tried to count them before.
