Just want to find out if anyone else here has a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

I was diagnosed with it about six years ago - the typical course of viral infection that never quite cleared up. For me it was Barmah Forest virus, which is fairly similar to Ross River fever.

For quite a while now I have considered it "managed" rather than "cured", but I find things extremely difficult in early pregnancy and it's almost as though I'm back in the worst times with CFS.

I consider myself fairly fortunate in that the primary effects were mental/cognitive rather than physical. Even though the physical side of things was and is fairly mild, it was still extremely difficult to cope with.

How do others manage? For me it's always been about prioritising what needs to be done. I have fairly strict rest periods during the day, which I absolutely must stick to or I pay for it later. I have managed to stay in full time work (teaching) only because when I get home from work I have a very strict hour or two where I do NOTHING (other than mess about on the computer, especially with Belly Belly). If things need to be done, they happen after that. I also find that I tend to do most of my socialising online - text-based communication is slower and easier and much less draining than speaking to people face to face.

Anyone else want to share how they were diagnosed and how they manage it? What do you take (if anything) to help?

BW