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I read it and was like wow this is me!

Posted , 5 users are following.

bambi1988
bambi1988

I Have know there was something wrong with me ever since I was a teenager. I was always exhausted and ill but I used to burn the candle at both ends. I was tested for anemia, thyroid problems and diabetes but nothing. Eventually my doctor said I suffered from early onset arthritis and clinical exhaustion. I have always had lots of time off work due to ilness where I will often sleep for 72 hours feeling drunk and unable to get out of bed. This I always put down to my spates of insomnia. I started a new job last year and it put so much pressure on top of my studies and I thought I was depressed. I had 15 days off sick which my employers questioned and I was told to look after myself better as it was not normal. I asked my doctor for help, an explanation why I always felt ill and exhausted but it was put down to hormones and a low immune system. I have headaches that last for up to a week, get sore throats and swollen glands every month, I feel like I am drunk at work with a constant brain fog. When I get home I regularly have to keep the lights and tv off because it hurts my eyes. I also have constant stomach problems and sometimes when I get home I can't remember what I have done all day! I put it down to me pushing myself and that I was being a wuss but I feel like crying when I have to get up, I sit shaking imagining just handing in my notice and staying in bed but I am too driven and push myself to work. A colleague recantly mentioned ME and I had never heard if it before so I looked it up. I read it and was like wow thats me! I couldn't believe there could actually be a reason for how I felt and that I wasn't being immature. There is a genuine reason for my symptomsand Iit made me quite emotional. I am now working with my doctor to get a diagnosis and looking forward to being able too look my employers in the eyes and say something, anything to show I am actually working so hard. To be able to tell my friends I am not avoiding them or being lazy I am exhausted. I feel like an old lady at 26 but if there us a reason I xan live with that.

2 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • sarah1369
    sarah1369 bambi1988

    Posted

    Hi Bambi,

    I know exactly how you feel, my story is the exact copy of yours! I'm 28 and been ill since having glandular feveras a teenager! Family, friends and work couldn't understand why I was always so exhausted and felt ill including dizziness which got so bad I would pass out occasionally. Blood test where always normal and it makes you think it's all in your head!

    Like you I kept pushing myself with working trying to get to my next lot of A/L. I pushed myself so much I collapsed early december and ended up being off for over a month. Went back to gps and saw someone different and mentioned that I thought I had ME/chronic fatigue syndrome which a collage had told me about. On looking it up (like you) I thought that's ME I could tick off every symptom and its relief to know there's a reason! I'm waiting for a referral to a specialist but because my vitamin D was a little low have to wait whilst on supplements for 12 weeks ( despite this being common in Me.)

    I'm still trying to work as I like my work and need to financially. However am really struggling at work and just sleep when off. Been to occ health and am currently trying to reduce my hours to 4 days instead of 5 and actually take my breaks which is usually rarity where I work. It's a battle with work as they are not keen to reduce my days but I said its that or I'll be off again! Unless people have the condition they don't understand (my partner is one of them informs telly!)

    I hope your work is more understanding and good luck x

    Sarah

    • georgeGG
      georgeGG sarah1369

      Posted

      O Sarah, pushing oneself is the standard error by ourselves and almost everyone else. Yet it is the opposite to what we need to do if we are to recover. Recovery takes years. ME/CFS robs us of what should be our best years. 

      (I am writing my testemony for another Discussion.)

    • georgeGG
      georgeGG sarah1369

      Posted

      The Discussion is "Is this my lot in Life"

      I hope to post later today.

    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS sarah1369

      Posted

      I recommend the Vitamin D spray that you spray under your tongue because apparently the body absorbs it better. You could research it though.
    • bambi1988
      bambi1988 sarah1369

      Posted

      I love my job and I would love to be able to go part time but I am a senior staff member and would have to step down to do that. I am sorry your work does not understand your condition. I hope things get better for you as having to give up just makes things worse xxxx
  • georgeGG
    georgeGG bambi1988

    Posted

    Gosh Bambi! I had forgotten until you said you felt like an old lady. I was around 40 years old. I was walking with my 70+ father in law and I could NOT  keep up. I felt I must be 80+. It was very distressing. Even so my legs would not go fast enough and I felt cold although I had my overcoat on and it was August. 

    How could I have forgotten!

    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS georgeGG

      Posted

      When I was 40 my friends used to tell me I looked like I did when I was 20. I had long hair and I had a hair cut with a fringe. A guy said I looked about 12. Then I got ill and my best friend Steve suddenly said 'You look like you're aging'.

      Soon I looked older than my mother! All within a space of a few months I looked really young for my age to massively older than my age. It was a shock to say the least. I saw a photo of me my son took of me in bed and I saw an old lady.

      I'm looking better now but I've lost years to this disease.

    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS

      Posted

      Note for Bambi: This doesn't have to be you because you're much younger than I was when I got it and I had other health problems too. Also there wasn't as much good advice then, or if there was I didn't find it.

      Some people seem to get better much faster so don't lose heart from what I said to George. 

  • GeorgiaS
    GeorgiaS bambi1988

    Posted

    I'm so glad you've found out! And I feel so sad because of all the suffering you've gone through alone with no one understanding.

    You're not alone now! People can make improvements and even get better. Stick with us and you'll learn some things about how to deal with it. Bless you! razz

    • georgeGG
      georgeGG GeorgiaS

      Posted

      Fantastic note, Georgia. I was thrilled to read it. biggrin biggrin biggrin
  • sylvia17461
    sylvia17461 bambi1988

    Posted

    Just putting my two pence worth in again , symptoms for ME/CFS and auto immune thyroiditis ( hashimotos ) are much the same . I said wow when I read " I  AM HASHIMOTOS  A LETTER " give it a whirl see what you think. I was labeled with CFS  but turns out I have autoimmune disease ! Hope your health improves what ever the cause so you can live the life you were supposed to and not the struggle you have now . 
  • bambi1988
    bambi1988

    Posted

    Thanks too all for the support and advice. When I read it back it all sounds very dramatic and I have good days and bad days. I am thankful that I am able to work as I know for some this is crippling and people are unable to leave their houses but I see this as such a positive. I am not alone and there is a reason for how I feel and that in itself is such a fantastic feeling and will probably drive me more knowing that if I need to rest there is no shame in it. When I go to sleep as soon as I get home its not because I am lazy. I have always been proud of my hard work and achievements and this will only make me more so but I will not feel ashamed for needing a break xxxx
    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS bambi1988

      Posted

      Kudos bambi, I know I'm not your friend or relative or anything but I am a fellow ME sufferer and when I read what you said I felt so proud of you! lol

      Do it for me and one day I'll be able to do it for me! But don't over do it please, relapse you don't want so be careful.

    • bambi1988
      bambi1988 GeorgiaS

      Posted

      Thanks Georgia, I think feeling like this most of my life has made it become the norm and I already avoid social situations or doing much on the weekends. I go to bed between 7-10 nearly every night as I feel it all week if I don't. I take holidays regularly spaced out and stay at home as travelling makes me too tired so I am lucky that I am already controlling it in a way. Just so happy that I am not alone and you guys are amazing the battles you fight every day to do the littlest things it inspires me as I have not got things that bad. This is positive and I am a positive person so I won't let anything beat me! When I have bad weeks I can think I am strong in my weakness and that's ok. And having a good cry always helps smile xxx
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