Age
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi all....I know this is probably a dumb question however here goes. A few people, including at least one doctor that I probably dont have CFS as I am too told...at onset I mean. I was 57 yrs old when I was diagnosed. Previously I had a few odd symptoms over the yrs, more neuro related than fatigue. However they were merely irritants. I guess you dont hear of many CFS sufferers with onset in their late 50s. Well if there are you dont hear much of it. Most people I know with it were in their 20s at onset.
What are people's thoughts in this? Anyone else on here or know of people with onset late in life?
0 likes, 7 replies
charlie19
Posted
sorry a few typos in my initial post...apologies
charcey97 charlie19
Posted
I would say that’s ridiculous. There’s still so much to learn about CFS. I’m not even sire how care providers can even make those statements at this point in time. I know of several people who were diagnosed in later years. I don’t think CFS has a preference who it decides to afflict.
charlie19 charcey97
Posted
Thanks. To be fair it was one doctor who I only saw once for a medical cert, although others including a fatigue specialist who said I was not "typical". I think he meant as much to do with symptoms, the pattern of onset as opposed to age. One thing I have learnt during the past 17 months is that almost CFS sufferers are different in terms of onset and symptoms.
jan96753 charlie19
Posted
thats rather bizzare , i am 48 and onset 18 months ago . i know someone who has just been diagnosed at 70. it isnt age discriminatory as far as i know. however there are some studies that suggest the older you are at onset the less likely of a full recovery. many doctors still dont really know how to diagnose it as its not exactly straightforward and i think they are nervous of giving this as the definative diagnosis.
artistmike charlie19
Posted
I was diagnosed with it after a bout of Glandular Fever in my fifties and I still have it now at seventy and in all my years talking to people with the condition in support groups etc., I've never heard of age as being any discriminator to contracting it.
It seems that it can be a condition that anyone of any age can catch though there tends to be a higher incident of younger people catching it through Glandular Fever and the like, for obvious reasons, as the young tend to get those conditions more than older ones who have developed immunities. There are all sorts of triggers though so age doesn't really come into it.
The bad news tends to be though that those who do contract it later in life seem to have a poorer chance of recovery for reasons that aren't yet fully understood. I would suggest that you try to get to a specialist who actually deals in the condition and who can give you better advice on CFS itself and it's management, and good luck, management is the key whatever your age.
charlie19
Posted
Thank you. I guess the fact that younger people do seem more prone to CFS perhaps colours people's ideas of it. That and the fact that was no discernible virus or trigger for my onset perhaps's prompted doctors to say I was not "typical"...and that was the word they used. I am well aware age does not alter anything with this awful disease. I was just curious what others thought considering what had been said to me. Thanks to everyone for their replies. This is such a positive forum.
carol350 charlie19
Posted
HI I am 75 and have had ME for 18 years so of cause their are lots of us elderly with
it but it got its hold on me the last year i have been in arelasp and now i have LUPUS as well
so suffering a bit i do worry being so poorly at my age what its doing to my body so dont worry your not alone find a doctor that knows about it i was under a great Proffesor that knew everything then went and retired he was the best in the country so i am lost with out him he always said to me you know exactly what to do which ido 5 half hour rests a day and listen to relaxation music no words but you have to learn to stay calm aswell