Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) describes a sense of exhaustion and post-exertion malaise, even when you have gotten enough rest and sleep. The disease is characterized by six months of incapacitating fatigue experienced as profound exhaustion and extremely poor stamina, and problems with concentration and short-term memory. The cause is unknown, but it is a...
Well here I am 1.5 years after being diagnosed with CFS.
I am a lot better than I was in the first six months but for some reason I am more depressed (when I didn't feel depression until about a month ago).
I think the reason for this is that now that I am better and people see that and think that I am 100% and that maybe I should be working more etc.
I feel a lot less supported now. I feel that my friends and family have had enough and are frustrated with me when I have my bad days. I don't know if it's true, perhaps thats my own feelings coming out???
Anyway I am feeling more and more alone with my illness and instead of being unwell around people, I would rather crawl into my own wee whole and deal with it by myself, mainly because I feel that people are just 'over it'.
Has anyone out there found this? that their family and friends are good at the start but then get sick of it?
I am a lot better than I was in the first six months but for some reason I am more depressed (when I didn't feel depression until about a month ago).
I think the reason for this is that now that I am better and people see that and think that I am 100% and that maybe I should be working more etc.
I feel a lot less supported now. I feel that my friends and family have had enough and are frustrated with me when I have my bad days. I don't know if it's true, perhaps thats my own feelings coming out???
Anyway I am feeling more and more alone with my illness and instead of being unwell around people, I would rather crawl into my own wee whole and deal with it by myself, mainly because I feel that people are just 'over it'.
Has anyone out there found this? that their family and friends are good at the start but then get sick of it?
You are new to CFS. I'm sorry you have it, really! BUT, you will find that certain people will stick by you no matter what. The important thing is not to give in to pressure by family and friends to do things that you cannot do. If you have to rest, you have to rest. I think because we swing back and forth between good and bad days, people think we have some sort of control over how we feel. We do not! SO, just stick with it! If you are not well, say so. Don't pretend you don't need to sit down when you need to. Let those around you see that this illness is very real, it is depressing you to see how they are reacting, and find support here with the rest of us who have all felt the sting of rejection that this illness brings.
Like I said, you'll find out who your friends are. But you are number one. No pretending you can go snow boarding when you really need two days of quiet. Get the quiet. Let your family know you need it. Sooner or later, they'll realize you are dead serious about being truly sick.
We're here for you!
Ur bound to run into depression a few tmes along this journey. Do what you need to to manage it, medicate if necessary, the big D will make everything about this journey so much worse.
Re support ..cfs is a lonely illness, its hard for others to understand what we are going thru, heck we dont understand it much ourselves. Unfortunately its our burden to carry, sometimes we have to work on not transferring that burden to others. Sometimes even though they love us they get tired too..they want to move on to other concerns. Dont let it get you down..you will learn who is willing to stick with you thru the long haul.
Hang in there..never give up hope.