Recovering stories -chronic fatigue

Just want to make sure you know that chronic fatigue can be associated with many illnesses, and that ME/CFS is a very specific illness. Excessive sleepiness, depression, and anxiety are sometimes a part of ME/CFS. The depression and anxiety can either be the secondary result of having to cope with such a difficult illness, or can be the direct result of what the ME/CFS is doing to the brain (which is what my specialist explained to me). It sounds like you're in a severe phase right now. It's important that you don't push beyond what you can do, or you may make yourself worse. So pacing and rest are key. This may eventually result in fewer and less severe symptoms. If you're struggling to hold down a job, it may be best for you to take a leave of absence right now to give your body a chance to recover. I know this is not easy to hear, but I wish someone had said it to me years ago when I became ill. Then I might not be housebound today. By the way, if you have been diagnosed with ME/CFS, and your neurologist is saying he doesn't know what's caused it--well, welcome to the club. No one knows for sure what causes this illness.

Hello from New Zealand Girraffe1985.  Sorry to hear about your struggle.  My daughter, just turned 17,  has been seriously ill with ME/CFS for two years.  Up until a couple of months ago she was continuing to deteriorate (to the point we could see she would soon be not merely housebound but bedbound).  Her recovery since that low point has been phenomenal and we attribute it in part with skype sessions with a therapist called Pippa in Bristol UK (Newleaf). For the part we don't credit to Pippa's help we can thank a New Zealand therapist, Mel Abbot (Empower therapies).  Mel put us on to Pippa while she was travelling and unavailable.  ME/CFS is NOT all in the head, it is a very real and very physical illness, but despite this you can still fix it with the power of your mind.  Feel free to ask me any questions.  Wishing you the all the best.

My doctor put me on adhd medication for a while to help me focus and have energy.  I’m a teacher and my job is all abt being energetic.  I ended up taking a year leave and am nervous abt returning in September due to fatigue issues.  They have improved due to IVIG infusions but I get them due to an immune deficiency. You have to learn to pace yourself and move slower.  There might be an underlying condition where chronic fatigue is a symptom which is what my case is.  I’ve done sleep studies before and found. Them a waste of time.  I would go to see a rhematologist but make sure you do some research and see if they work with CFS.

Hi

Second time writing my response. Disappeared first time ! And forgotten what I wrote already . Lol

Sorry to hear you are struggling. Did your Dr say chronic fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome ?. The first is a symptom of many conditions and diseases . the latter is an actual disease . contrary to popular belief excessive sleeping is not a prominent symptom of CFS/ME. It never has been for me and most people I know with the disease. Intact insomnia and sleep disturbance frequent waking up is more the feature. Some find they sleep more though. Depression can be accompanied by excessive sleeping .

The key thing is that you take time off work. Your body need to rest and be given the chance to recover the best it can. Carrying on working and pushing yourself is counter productive . I don't want to sound brutal , but it can make all the difference in your eventually outcome. I carried on working and listing and ended up a year off sick then forced to take ill health retirement. Even after that I still pushed just day to day living which was very limited anyway. All my symptoms have exacerbated over the years and 22 yrs on I have been housebound for most of them.

CFS/ME is a very complex disease and has to be taken seriously. I will have to leave it there fir now but just wanted to say be careful and be kind to yourself and listen to your body. I am a very positive person, but this disease will not go away over night or over a few weeks or months . that is the reality of it.rest , pace and don't push too hard when you are up too doing things. Take care and I hope you can feel better soon x

My dear friend,

Have you considered that your job is what is keeping you ill? CFS is not as random as it appears: if you over-exert yourself, your body will react with a need for excessive rest and sleep. Only substantial lifestyle changes which enable you to balance tolerable exertion with sufficient rest are the proper foundations for managing the illness and for subsequent recovery. Having had it for 25 years I speak from experience.

Prayers,

Philip