Family don't believe how bad im actually feeling.

Hi I would definatley go back to docs earlier you can get a diagnosis you would probably need to be referred to a rheumatologist to confirm maybe more blood test I was misdiagnosed for years I now can no longer work .

if I was you I would rest as much as possible it's crucial early on I just kept pushing through with repeated flu like viruses Cfs is a very serious condition you should make your family aware of this to many times has anxiety been put on this condition to a detrimental affect on the patients isuffered great anxiety from my symptoms get into relaxation and meditation as much as you can to calm the nervous system down it will help .

im sorry your having problems with your family I understand I have been through it i hope in time they will understand please don't push through fatigue if it is Cfs but you really need to get back to docs and you are young so you can recover if it is Cfs take care hope some of this info has helped

I'm so sorry to hear your family isn't as supportive as you need.  I've had CFS since 1997 or before, and it took many years before all my kids got the message.  CFS demands tremendous patience.

Everything you mention is typical of CFS, but I must ask if you have been tested for MS.  My sister suffered with that and we noted that many of our symptoms were similar.  If you haven't been tested for MS, I would certainly do so.  

However, you are corect that CFS does cause the problems you are experiencing and if  you are like most of us, you have heard the old comment so many people make when we complain of exhaustion:  "But you look so good!"  I heard that often, even during the times I spent most of the day on the sofa because of exhaustion or the feeling as though I were walking on an air mattress on a wavy lake.  And, I've known people with CFS who just couldn't use the computer on some days.  Too much work to type!  

 

You are not alone, you are not "being dramatic", and the symptoms you are experiencing are all quite typical CFS symptoms.  Oh--and it is not unusual for someone as young as you to come down with this stuff.  Enough.  I just  hope I have reassured you that I hear you and sympathize. 

Sadly, your post is all-too familiar. So many others have posted stories similar to yours. Your symptoms could very well be ME/CFF, especially if blood tests have come up ok. You now need to see a specialist--either an infectious disease doctor or a rheumatologist knowledgeable in ME/CFS. Go to the "solve me/cfs initiative" website, and see if the symptoms resonate with you. Within the last couple of years, huge strides have been made to get this disease taken seriously. In the U.S., a major government-funded report came out detailing the seriousness of this illness. Unfortunately, the medical community is still lagging far behind--especially GP's. There's a total lack of respect in the community at large for those of us who are suffering. We have to advocate for ourselves, as a result. You might go the CDC website (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and read the symptoms for ME/CFS. Then (assuming you share some of these symptoms) show the list to others--especially family members who are not understanding. Don't let others, including doctors, fob this off as anxiety and depression. Yes, you may have both of those issues, but who wouldn't if they were suffering from a debilitating illness? People with cancer can also be anxious and depressed, but people still take cancer seriously.

Hi Rhia Tamara,

I'm sorry to hear what a difficult time you are having. I think it's impossible to guess what is / has caused your symtoms, it could be CFS. I'm afraid that you are going to have to undergo numerous tests to get a firm diagnois. A positive out of age is that young people tend to recover faster and maybe even completely.

You asked if CFS is taken seriously -that's difficult to say. I live in Canada, and have been diagnosed for ME/CFS for 15 years, on long term disability  for much of that time. I think doctors maybe accepting of a diagnosis than they were 20 years ago. Try to find a clinic or doctor who has an interest in ME/CFS. Sometimes you can find a doctor from people on a site like this.

The process  of getting a diagnosis and then treatment It can be very discouraging. Hang in there. I once saw a doctor (new town) who basically laughed at me and documentation I brought. He told me that the illness was called ME mylaic encelphametis and that chronic fatique didn't ex

Hi this

Just responded then it disappeared!! Not ideal for someone with ME/CFS.

Advice so far is good . I agree go back to your gp and try to push for a second opionion if everything else has been exhausted. I have had this dreadful disease since 1996. Although started to be ill the year before . I also ignored by body and carried on pushing through and working. I was a paediatric nurse working 12 and a half hour shifts. Out of the house for 15 hours including the travelling there and back. I eventually just about collapsed at work one day. After months seeing gp who did a few blood tests but wasn't that interested , I asked for a second opionion. Saw an endocrinologist who took loads more bloods and an MRI to rule out MS. Nothing outstanding so ME diagnosed.i tried 3 times to return to work but had to take ill health retirement.

To be diagnosed with ME/CFS, after other things have been ruled out . At least four symptoms from a specific list must have been present for at least 6 months.

Do you have other symptoms apart from tiredness rhia? Pain, poor concentration, poor short term memory , dizziness to name but a few .

Sounds like there is something going on and you need some answers . The not knowing causes more stress which just serves to make other symptoms even worse. So yes go back to your gp . Establish what tests have been done to rule out other things. If nothing coming up push for a second option.

I do hope you find some answers very soon. Take care and don't push yourself too hard so sorry your family are not taking you seriously. It really doesn't help things at all does it. is good to chat to people with the same problems though. Let us know how you getting.on x

Sorry to here about your plight

It's real Standard with CFS, sorry and its a real battle you have.

I don't think anyone unless you have it will ever understand how hard life is with these kind of illnesses

I had never heard of these illnesses until then been pointed out and saying that I could have it. I understand mine is without the boom (the getting better) but have the bust side so understand that illness.

Keep your spirits up, they can't actually understand without actually having it.

So don't try trying to understand

why they don't understand what you have

Or you will send yourself bonkers

Focus on keeping a good routine for you however once you find a good balance don't deviate it could mess it up for a long time

Good luck

Are you from UK and how long have you been feeling ill for

There was an amazing land mark research paper posted August 30 by the university of California that may lead to a diagnosis test for CFS,they were able to identify biological markers for CFS,so CFS is being taken very seriously,they even list various viral and bacterial triggers for CFS