Work

Hi BL4CKR0SE, I just saw your message and wanted to give you a virtual hug! Work can be such an important part of who we are, and having to stop can feel like giving up on ourselves as well as the job. That's before you even start to consider what it means in terms of supporting yourself and dependents, and what impact it will have on your friends at work. It's really, really tough. 

However, you are NOT a failure. It's not your fault that you have CFS. What you're doing is facing up to the situation and taking a responsible course of action. Keeping on pushing yourself past your limits is not going to help you or anyone else in the long run. It can be really hard to see that sometimes - especially when you can't think straight for fatigue.

Personally speaking, I went part-time and changed the type of work I do. At times, it did feel like I was admitting defeat, and I was pretty thankful for the anti-depressants!! However, it's given me space to reassess my priorities and find new ways to feel like I was making a contribution to the world - ones that don't result in lying down for days subsisting on cereal in the messiest house in the world :D 

My advice then, for what it's worth, is to be kind to yourself. Beating yourself up takes too much energy! Take care x

I understand how you feel, but without knowing the specifics I do believe you made a great decision. This condition requires you to restructure your life so that you can be successful and contribute in a lot of ways. Use this time as an opportunity to hit the reset button and design your life in a new way. 

I can completely identify with what you are saying I was utterly heartbroken for few months as I had to do the same thing I left a company after 16 years I loved my job. But there was no way I could manage it as I felt I would pass out . I've been at home exactly a year luckily I've got a fantastic husband who supports me in every way. Things are bit better regarding my post viral fatigue I can get about bit more but I've recently been diagnosed with asthma so that dosent help it used to get me down but I've gradually learnt to accept these things and not stress so much it's taken a long time to get to this place though good luck to you and please don't feel you are a failure you are far from that xx

I can sooooo empathise. Loved my job and was good at it but a lack of support and the loopholes meant that I was ditched. Still find it hard over a year on and like you, felt a complete failure. Have ended up on anti depressants and counselling - purely due to this situation not the CFS. What advice can I give? I haven't found the answer but I do feel I'm not to blame - I still feel a failure - but I am taking each day as it comes and trying to take all the help I can and I have accepted that actually the support for this type of disability is the main failure. Huge hugs and please don't blame yourself. X

You are not a failure, be proud of who you are.... I had to give up work having once beaten this into remission, second time around much worse and it involves my heart too.... darn it. had a remission of over three years... but ... now been broken again for just over three years so far.... Anyway, there is hope work in Norway and Australia has shown inflammation factors and a failing sugar metabolism in the mitochondria of us sufferers. in men its seem an amino acid supplement helps in women its a fatty acid supplement that helps... mostly but can be vice versa... for me its amino acid supplement and it has helped my brain fog to clear quite a bit... but anyway the point is the yare finding out more and the more they now find the better the chance of real support and medical help. not any more comments of its all in the head... but real genuine possible future medication. it may be a while off but....... the road is starting, so... be you as best you can be, believe in yourself and ... keep gently trying a bit but also resting a bit plan your days do a bit rest a bit do a bit rest a bit..............

All good wishes...  

Hi, i have not worked in over 2 years and still seeking government support. I had to leave my home and move back to my parents until i get my tribunal sorted out. Who would think the hardest fight you will ever face will have to be done when you are at your physically weakest? Illness has changed the way you will be living your life so you are not a failure. I get guilt all the time as when i have a fairly good period i feel like i should be working. In the coming years i may be able to work part time but i have to understand my illness and limitations. Do what is best for you, rest as much as you need and chase every single bit of support you can get. Take care.