I think we're all on the analysis paralysis wheel. So are our doctors. So much emphasis is put on finding "why" we went down with this illness. Some have a gradual onset, some hae an acute onset. You can talk to 50 zillion people with CFIDS and they will have a different story of how they came to have it and another story on how they are trying to fix it! Am I right? How frustrating is this. The only thing that makes sense in obsessing over the cause, and this is important, is that if the cause is something we are doing now, like a food allergy, or high mercury levels in the blood, then we can DO something about it. If it turns out to be that all these other things, including stress brought on our CFIDS, what can we do? It's already been done, we can't undo what we did in most cases.
I read one article written by a doctor posted on this site by a knowledgable and trusted person, who said not to "dwell" on how we think we messed up and did this to ourselves, but rather to keep going from here to wellness. We spend so much time trying to figure how the heck this happened, yet the tests come back negative. This is such a frustrating and thankless search.
I soooooo understand what you are saying, and I believe that a reasonable amount of research into how we got where we are is the responsible thing to do, and we are driven to it. But, but, but.......this is where the but comes. But probably only God knows how we came to be sticken with this illness and that's why I leave it up to Him to fix it. Pure and simple. I have stopped obsessing over the cause, which simply cannot seem to be found, and I am praying that God will guide me and give me strength to deal with it. Period. The searching is just too stressful. Just can't do it anymore. God created me, he allowed this into my life. I'm asking Him, when it's His will, to take it away. My life belongs to Him. I want His will to be done.
This was not meant to be some kind of sermonette. (although I am a preacher's kid), just an honest answer about analysis paralysis. I've let it become God's job!
Sincerely and with great love to all of you, Darla

love K.I.S.S.best approach.even hamsters have the sense to get of the wheel,and the do it for fun.rest friends and go at things gently sounds like the best idea to me

Mmmm...maybe. Use what you know.
Everything we did was a clunky model of a human brain and it's processes, right? That's what we know. Logic, data, processes.
begin
if 1 + 1 2
run nologic(scream, exit_idiocy)
reboot (nap, food, distraction)
else
prioritize (v1, v2)
loop

Gotta manage the customer's expectations, or you'll go nuts and never get a beta off the ground, right?

Geekily,
Serena

shoot - stupid text editor doesn't allow symbols. Doh!
if 1 + 1 not 2...

Yep, stopped searching a long time ago. I put the search in the hands of CFIDS.org, when there's a cure, they'll let me know. So now I can go do something else with my precious energy.

I have spent years trying to fix one "cause" and then another. I have spents tens of thousands of unreimbursable dollars searching for the alternative cure. Nothing has helped and some "treatments" actually made me feel worse.

I am not a Dr. and I have quit trying to be. I know that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. I am no longer trying to outguess my Dr. - who has spent the last 25 years treating CFIDS patients, doing research and attending conferences.

I am spending my energy now on more pleasant tasks. If I can't have physical health, I at least want some serenity. I discuss many treatment options with my Dr. each time I see him - but I am no longer in the driver's seat.

There is a 12 step discussion going on here - and this is the gist of step 3 - turning it over to God and to people better qualified to address my problems.

Cop Out? Not for me. It's a sanity protection strategy... LOL And God know I need one!!

Oh gosh I hope you're wrong but I get frustrated too. I'm feeling better but I'm so scared it will not last. Oh well. I use to be an analyst of a different sort. Let's see if I told Wall Street I don't know why our revenue is down 20% vs. last year I would have been out of a job. Makes you wonder why we don't hold the medical community's feet to the fire and get us an answer. Oh it's the politics stupid!

And money stupid.

Philip -

LOL! Yes. I, like you, have an analytical mind. I was actually a Systems Analyst for some time. My brain likes to figure things out...Well, I could have written every causative possibility you described. And in my case, I needed to spend a year analyzing everything and reading everything...my doctor warned against this but I had to do it...I finally pretty much came to the same conclusion you came to...but we each have to come to acceptance by our own route...there are many ways to climb the mountain called CFS. I plan to see all of you at the top - healed. Ok, maybe just feeling a little better...and a little wiser..and a little more compassionate....

Ok, Andrew ... you just mentioned some of the blessings/lessons learned on this journey: wisdom and compassion. I'd rather be a wise compassionate, broke SICK woman than a wealthy judgmental greedy pig. BTW, the voting polls are CLOSED. LOL.

Philip, I hear you ... I'm tired of trying and figuring this out as well. I remember feeling all huffy/puffy when some other member on the board said she was done fighting. She didn't mean she had given up or in or ANYTHING. I eventually took it to mean she was gaining acceptance. Something I still obviously struggle with.

Remember that infomercial with the short haired blonde screaming "STOP THE MADNESS!" Ok ... insert analysis for madness!!! Because every single time I try and analyze things I end up making them my own fault. Done bearing guilt for deeds not done or done incorrectly by some human's standards. Here's to peace within!!!