ADHD energy but ME/CFS fatigue: I'm a walking, talking oxymoron

Living with so many different disabilities - autism, ADHD and ME/CFS - is a trial in and of itself. So many of my symptoms clash with each other. I know that sounds bizarre; trust me, it is bizarre to me too.

I currently live in a state of constant physical fatigue due to ME/CFS. I spend most of my days resting (mostly in the form of lying on the couch) and due to fatigue I am unable to do traditional work and cannot do a lot of housework for myself. This is obviously very difficult, but thanks to pacing techniques, past experience and the adaptability of myself and my family, I have been able to continue to have a fulfilling life. I work primarily online and at home doing disability advocacy. I live at home, so my parents provide for me and help me in daily living tasks. My friends are happy to make catch-ups more low energy activities in order to better accomodate me.

However, I also live with ADHD. I was diagnosed with combined type ADHD, meaning that I am fairly equal parts hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive. I do notice though that whilst having a chronic illness and being chronically fatigued, my ADHD symptoms definitely lean more towards the inattentive side of things. My ADHD doesn't just go away though. It still leaves me mentally hyperactive, which is both good and bad - good when I am busy doing online work and generating ideas, bad when I am trying to sleep.

My ADHD leaves me with an eternal itch to want to move. I am constantly restless, but also constantly fatigued from ME/CFS. From lots of past experience, I know that if I give into my ADHD desires to move and do a million and one different things, I will end up very sick and bed-bound for days (my teenage self did this a lot). I have to work really hard to not give into my desire to use energy in such a way.

I have learnt to manage this by making sure to keep myself more mentally stimulated. For me, this looks like writing (hello!), reading, listening to audio books, editing and creating content for social media, doing online disability advocacy work, learning Dutch, and doing various craft activities (colouring in, beading, etc.). It is so much easier, and more enjoyable, to make myself stay physically still if my mind is engaged and working on something I enjoy. Another strategy I use is including intermittent physical activities into my restful days. A little bit of movement is good for chronic illness management, but too much is detrimental, and it's a fine line to walk. I include little bits of movement throughout the day by doing short activities interspersed by rest. For me this looks like hanging or folding a load of washing, watering my flowers, fixing myself up some lunch, or doing 5-10 minutes of stretching.

So yes, my life is spent walking a fine line between using energy and saving energy, managing my ADHD symptoms and my ME/CFS symptoms.

It's easier to make myself physically rest when I have my gorgeous cat resting with me.