Why PEM Matters

These videos are intended for healthcare professionals. The physical therapists (PT) and occupational therapists (OT) who developed the BHC handouts and video series are ME/CFS patients and caregivers.  

Rest and recovery after exertion is a familiar therapy concept for rehab professionals. For patients with post-exertional malaise (PEM)/post-exertional symptom exacerbation (PESE) however, rest and recovery describes stopping the crash cycle and managing the exacerbation of symptoms to avoid deepening the crashed period which could result in a long term worsening of disease. 

This video series was developed as a conversation between therapists to highlight the process of identifying PEM/PESE and provide insight into PEM/PESE-specific therapeutic approaches. 

These short video segments will include topics intended to inform therapists who are not familiar with pacing, resting, and symptom management guidelines.

We hope this series will introduce principles of ME/CFS and Long COVID care that encourage healthcare professionals to continue advancing their knowledge about PEM/PESE.

Note to community members: We advise viewers to always speak with their medical care team prior to making any adjustments or changes to their current regimen.

This video was made possible by the OMF-funded Medical Education Resource Center (MERC) at BHC, our generous donors, and viewers like you.

[batemanhornecenter]

These videos are intended for healthcare professionals. The physical therapists (PT) and occupational therapists (OT) who developed the BHC handouts and video series are ME/CFS patients and caregivers.

Rest and recovery after exertion is a familiar therapy concept for rehab professionals. For patients with PEM however, rest and recovery describes stopping the crash cycle and managing the exacerbation of symptoms to avoid deepening the crashed period which could result in a long term worsening of disease.

This video series was developed as a conversation between therapists to highlight the process of identifying PEM and provide insight into PEM-specific therapeutic approaches.

These short video segments will include topics intended to inform therapists who are not familiar with pacing, resting, and symptom management guidelines.

We hope this series will introduce principles of ME/CFS and Long COVID care that encourage healthcare professionals to continue advancing their knowledge about PEM.

[Krizkruz]

You guys are angels.. had to battle suicide because of pem.. seeing some acknowledgement and that it's real is giving me hope

[andeebee]

I pace and rest but my body does not “heal.” Therapists please remember this is about management and trying to stop deterioration of baseline.

[jamesg]

Some useful content here, well done.

I'd avoid terms like 'recovery' or 'healing' though. Getting over PEM is just about returning to your baseline level of illness. Once you've returned to that baseline, you're still ill.

[barbedwards]

That's been my normal for six decades. Thanks, ME and FM.

[catc]

Watching this while in a mini-crash right now. I spent my first year of (then-undiagnosed) fibromyalgia stuck in a boom-bust cycle: one day of activity followed by 6 days of PEM and pain in bed.

[carokunz]

Thank you for this important video.I hope that also therapists in Europe see this kind of patients and change the treatment guidelines.

[clairenaylor]

Although I love the sentiment of the video... I do feel it uses 'recovery' language far too liberally to truly help inform clinical providers... This is a huge issue, especially in Australia where ME is seen as something from which patients recover. I fact many are rejected NDIS help based on pacing being a recovery tool.... Even though everyone knows it's a management tool. I ask the consideration of language to be considered going forward, especially with regard to the use of healing and recovery.

[TheBegleybunch]

I can walk from the LR to Kitchen and feel like I just ran a relay race. I’ve told my dr’s about this for 10 years but none mentioned PEM. I now have days of exhaustion and fatigue, the aches, headaches, etc. I’ve had no luck finding a physician that is available.

[LeeMacdonald-qtpy]

Very happy you are doing this education.

[susantisdell]

I got to the gym to ride a stationary bike. And emotional stress has put me in bed. Now i sleep for 12 to 18 hours. I used to be able walk all day at work but for last tens years of work were exhausting.

[alishaliggett]

Thank you for this. I feel less alone. My mother in law thinks I’m selfish because I can’t do as much as she did as a mom of more kids.. it really sucks.. when I have any energy all I want to do is get things done. I’m in bed right now because I spent off and on cleaning my daughter’s room all day and went to a family dinner, 3 days ago..

[pilarlb]

Thank you for great info! Would it be possible to add Spanish subtitles? We are in real need of this information in Spanish.

[alishaliggett]

What do we do? Go to our dr and ask to get tested for Exercise Malaise?

[KillandraSerrin]

Pacing for PEM is not about recovery or healing.
Pacing is just management - and it's not even good management.
ME/CFS patients will not have recovery or healing until we have pharmacological solutiions that target our molecular and physiological problems.
I agree with the other patients.
Please fix the langauge to reflect reality.

[LeonardRiley-yz]

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