Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

[Calluna]

I spoke to a naturopath on Wednesday and after a 10 min conversation he told me that my symptoms sound a lot like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. He gave me a herbal supplement and said that if it works I should ask my doctor to test me for CFS.

I took one on Wed night and woke up feeling a thousand times better. I've been taking them every day and so far I've had a lot more energy (although I hit a wall at about midday and struggle to keep my eyes open from 3ish onwards.), soooo much more patience with Isaac, clear headed, no nausea, I wake up feeling like I've had a half decent sleep!

Today I looked up the symptoms of CFS. And it is describing me! The only thing I don't seem to have noticed is postexertional malaise, I feel like crap all the time, not just after exercise and I haven't noticed it get worse, except that I get a bit sore and achy). But all other 8 main symptoms I have and 95% of the other secondary symptoms.

So I'm going to book in to the doctor the naturopath recommended as soon as I can afford it and have a chat to them.

I'm a bit nervous and scared, I'm so used to being told I'm just depressed and to take some medication. I'm scared that is what I'll be told this time too. But mostly I'm excited! Which may sound strange, but to finally have a diagnosis would be a massive relief! I've lived with this for so long, I can't wait to have answers and possibly manage it so it doesn't affect me so badly!

Just had to tell someone.
I know it's not a diagnosis and I shouldn't get my hopes up, but it's hard as it's the closest I've ever been to one!

[~Ash~]

That is such exciting news! The feeling that someone is actually understanding what you are going through is always such a relief.

My Mum had CFS for years after she had a back operation when I was little - she participated in support groups and all sorts - she swears that it was the 'Liver Cleansing Diet' that eventually helped her get over it. Might be worth looking into it!

Good luck - I hope that you get the diagnosis that you need so that you can be treated properly instead of just being labeled as depressed.

[Amaunet]

Have you been tested for Coeliac disease? I had very similar symptoms but not "typical" Coeliac ones iykwim but my blood test results showed it. Being gluten free has even reduced my anxiety and mild depression

[Calluna]

That's exactly it Ash. For someone to understand that I'm not depressed and lazy. I'm sick and so freaking tired!

I'll look into it, thanks!

I haven't been tested for coeliacs. I'll do a bit of a google.

[Calluna]

I do have a few of the symptoms of coeliac disease too. Not as many as CFS, but I'll bring it up when I speak to the doctor.

Thanks Amanuet.

[briggsy's girl]

CFS isn't something that can be diagnosed by testing - they can test for a lot of other things, and diagnose CFS in the absence of any other notable diagnosis. but it won't be an instant thing. be prepared for lots of testing before it can be labelled - and even then, the GP may be reluctant

i was diagnosed about five years ago. it's not fun living with this at all. there are no miracle cures - you just have to learn to manage it. and be prepared for people to dismiss CFS as a diagnosis too. i am going on five months of a nasty flare now - some days i can barely get through work, let alone anything else - i only work part time and have to have several days off together to get myself feeling functional. i hurt all the time. and the "post exertion malaise" comes up to bite me on the backside after doing even the simplest things. shopping, cooking, showering. it's awful. sometimes even conversation is too much. working in a call centre is very hard at times - i have had to develop techniques so that i'm ONLY listening to my customer and blocking out all the external noise. my brain just can't cope with the extra stimulus

i hope you get some answers - but i really hope it's NOT CFS - i hope it's something you can treat and recover properly! it's not fun at all feeling like this

[Calluna]

I hope I didn't come across like I want to have CFS BG. I just meant I am looking forward to having a diagnosis, IF that is what it is.
I've been living with whatever it is I have for as long as I can remember.

I'm sorry you have to live like that. It's sounds incredibly difficult.

I'm not that severe. But it is significant enough that it's affecting my (and therefor my familys) quality of life. To have a diagnosis would be very helpful.

I did have a quick read on what's involved in diagnosis, but not much. I really only googled because I wanted to know that I want wasting my time/ money/energy on seeing a doctor for something that is way off base. I not to go near Dr google, it puts to many ideas in my head.This time was different though. I found myself nodding as I was reading through the symptoms and it explains things I would never have connected with my other symptoms. Like the chest pains and the shooting pains in my legs that feels like my shin bones are splitting.

[Cherished]

I've come across loads of people with CFS as I spent many years in the wellness industry. There are plenty of things that can help. Colonic irrigation, chiropractic, acupuncture, chinese herbal medicine, detox and cleanse (a previous post mentioned the liver cleaning diet which is fab, I've done it and it's awesome!) cut out grains and heavy carbs, go 100% organic (food and body care products) and drink loads of water every day with your first glass having fresh lemon in it and then followed by a fresh home made juice. If anyone were to do all of these things they would feel better regardless of CFS. Hope you get some answers and continue to feel better.

[briggsy's girl]

I hope I didn't come across like I want to have CFS BG. I just meant I am looking forward to having a diagnosis, IF that is what it is.
I've been living with whatever it is I have for as long as I can remember.

didnt come across like you wanted it to be cfs at all. was just the mention of testing for it. wanted to give you the heads up!

[Calluna]

Oh good, lol
I get so paranoid about people misunderstanding me.

[Olive]

Google F I b r o m y a l g I a
sorry for the spaces... A friend has it, it's very similar to CFS, she manages it with yoga, acupuncture and a naturopath

[Footsteps]

my dps mum and his dads df have cfs or M.E as its known. If you have any questions I can message her for you. Huge hugs huni x

[Calluna]

I don't think it's fibromyalgia, Olive. I don't have the "tender points" they describe or the sensitivity to temperature.

Thanks Footsteps. I'll let you know.

I'm not sure how long my sanity will last, I keep changing from excited (wrong word, but only way I can describe it) to be looking down the barrel of a diagnosis - even if it's not CFS I now have a point of reference. I can say *this* is how I feel all the time - and scared and wanting to bury my head in the sand.
I'm scared that I'll be brushed off again and I'm scared that I won't. I'm scared that there is something wrong with me and it's not all in my head. I'm scared of what the prognosis may be.

I'm just scared. It doesn't matter what the outcome is, it will suck.

/ramble.

[Beautiful Disaster]

Could also be glandular fever if you have been sick. I've had it and it sucks

[Calluna]

How long does glandular fever last? I have been like this for years and it's just getting worse.

[Beautiful Disaster]

Years and it can be ruled out with a blood test

[Keta]

Have you been tested for ross river virus? I had very similar symptoms just over two years ago (so tired I even found it hard to drive as I couldn't be trusted to stay awake!). Anyway if you haven't it could be worth checking. Not much you can do if it is and the best advice I was given was to keep going and keep my immune system up as much as possible. Even though it just had to be ridden out and I will occasionally still get flare ups, knowing made me feel better and that it wasn't all just in my head.

[BellyBelly]

All of these things are either disease or a body which is not in balance. Chronic fatigue is a common outcome of an acidic body (poor energy is pretty much the most common, followed by nervous system stuff), I think it could be more simple than it sounds. I'm still writing an article on it specifically, but I have some info in the flu vaccine article, if you read from: "What Foods and Drinks Will Inhibit or Lower My Immune System?" you'll see what foods and drinks steal your energy and also what ones will give you energy. You will notice a difference VERY quickly on the alkaline diet. Its awesome. In the article, you will be able to see a list of common symptoms and you'll see you have the most common ones, and probably many others. When your cells are healthy, you don't get sick and your immune system works beautifully.