1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Psychological component to CFS

Posted , 7 users are following.

whalebone
whalebone

Hi Guys

I've been a sufferer for about 6 years and had all the wacky sypmtoms. I've had more relapes than I can count and even made what felt like a full recovery on one occasion. It felt like I'd always get tripped-up by the one variable I had not covered. I've had all the tests, I've given up just about all stimulants, have a super heathy diet, meditate every day, have supportive employers, low maintenance living arrangements. I've tried GAT, GET, CBT, Pacing, yada yada yada.

Recently I have discovered something really interesting, it feels like I have too illnesses, one set of symptoms is very predicable and tracks physical activity very closely. The second set is much more "colourful" and is related to stress and emotional content. If I have a difficult meeting to attend I can guarantee that I will be very sympomatic beforehand, for example. Family trouble, ditto.

This has been an interesting journey and much "closure" has occured. Strangely I get massive symptoms aftter something "moves" emotionaly. Initially I feel lighter and freer, but then next morning I get the mother of all hangovers (I've not drunk any alcohol for 10 years.) Similarly I have become a dab hand at Samatha meditation which is profoundly relaxing but the same thing often happens. Weird right?

Does anybody have any tips? This all feels very unfair. I looks like I have found the smoking gun as to the cause of many of the symptoms, but the cure is almost as painful as the illness.

 

2 likes, 33 replies

33 Replies

Prev
  • thembsseruto
    thembsseruto whalebone

    Posted

    Very interesting discussion everyone. It's so good to see such positive responses. I too am a CFS / ME warrior. And completely agree with stress and emotions heightening symptoms. I am constantly dealing with stuff letting go and "cleansing" myself of old thought patterns and "stuff" and that is what you describe in your hyphens 😄. I've found meditation, gratitude and the act of letting things go very very helpful.  The Buddhist way of life is really great and beneficial.  I do some days,  like today,  just wana take a vacation from all this work.

    It tends to feel like you're living in 2 worlds;  the physical with all its stresses and symptoms and another which is quite spiritual and elevated. I think the best way to describe it.  Anyone else feel this way.  

    Additionally,  my diet consists of lots of fruit and veg. Soups if I  can't put anything together.  I live alone.  I don't do dairy, wheat,  sugar, alcohol and processed food.

    I take magnesium, mentate, adrenostate, fish oils and recently 5-HTP. I also eat alot of seeds and nuts. 

    • whalebone
      whalebone thembsseruto

      Posted

      Two worlds, u-huh. Old patterns = stuff u-huh. My time with this illness has often felt like an extended meditation retreat. But I used to find the symptoms terrifying, for about year or so I assumed that they would kill me. I didn't have a diagnosis at the time and the fear was paralysing. But I learned to apply the mindfulness tequniques that I had developed and started to use the physical symptoms as a meditation focus. This has been a fascinating journey and would recomend it to anyone who is willing to put in the effort. It can get a bit hairy but what do we have to loose? Its not as if we don't have the time.cool
    • jackie00198
      jackie00198 thembsseruto

      Posted

      It sounds like you're doing so much. And all this, living alone. Food, attitude, physical, emotional stuff--there's so much we have to deal with. It makes me tired just thinking about it!
    • thembsseruto
      thembsseruto jackie00198

      Posted

      And guess what?  We can do it!  It may just take us much longer to do it 😊
    • jackie00198
      jackie00198 thembsseruto

      Posted

      So true. I just took the time to make a great salad: sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, chopped red onions, topped with olive oil, a little salt, and balsamic vinegar. All produce fresh from the farm. It was delicious. At one time in the past, I had nausea and complete loss of appetite. Not now!
  • brett_flyer
    brett_flyer whalebone

    Posted

    Yep, your onto it whalebone, totally relate to what you are saying.
  • jasmininabox
    jasmininabox whalebone

    Posted

    Hi Whalebone,

    same thoughts here, and I was wondering if you have new insights, as I feel a bit stuck. I see a clear connection between my symptoms and the way I handle family problems, but I can't seem to handle them differently, even though I experiment gently with changing behaviour. Maybe it doesn't cure the illness, but it would definitely change quality of life.

    On the other hand, I'm a bit tired (cheesygrin) of trying to handle things so consciously and analysing stuff ... 

    Have a wonderful day!

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.