Hi Lily,
If it helps i had a traumatic life changing event than threw myself into work and caught a virus and that was it, i have been living with this for 18 years and i had remission for 5 years when i went back to work life was clear and bright again, i did have to still be careful but it was nice to go out with mates and not have to keep saying im sick and i thought omg its never going to come back i should have been prepared, 7 years ago it all came on again but just a couple of months ago i couldly hardly bloody walk my head was so foggy and the zaps unbearable, my doctor recommended hyperbaric oxygen therapy, this is mainly used for people with MS, its been brilliant, you have to persevere as you can feel worse before better but you do a block of 20 sessions than top ups once a week, as it turns out i need about two or three as my cognitive thinking and fatigue symptoms come back (you know a huge list) its expensive so i wanted to have something that will go alongside it (i wrote the post about traumatic doctor experience). I am 52 and feel as though life is a constant struggle like you i want to recover but the hyperbaric chambers have helped please have a look at this, im in the Uk so im not sure where you are from but apparently its a big thing in Europe, Virtual hugs :)

Hi Lily, My understanding is that it is appearing that the mitochondria of our cells have been damaged by virus. And as the body has endured more viruses the mitochondria of the cells never fully recover. And, with stress, usually our immune systems are weakened and open to more infections. I feel, I have been dealing with milder symptoms of CFS/ME for all of my life, and at 50 years old when the last flu hit I just couldn't recover and now live on disability. I wish you the best. B

I can't say that stress was the cause of my CFS, since it started when I was at the fittest and healthiest I had ever been. What did happen though, was that years later, after recovering from my first major crash and living a relatively normal life for years, a very stressful time pushed me into a major crash that started a downward spiral to worse than I'd ever been before, becoming basically housebound.

Stress definitely collapses me . I originally over worked my body like a lunatic trying to serve others and make some spiritual growth. I then developed glandular fever and didn't rest long enough and allowed a very controlling person to continue pushing me. BIG MISTAKE ! Lack of self esteem and lack of intelligence on my part. I was then separated from my four and a half yr old son, once again due to being controlled by others ( Religious Institution ) The trauma was damaging for both my son and myself. It pushed me over the edge. So the virus was a contributing factor along with intense stress and emotional trauma. I feel like I have a broken fuse in my body that just will not repair
I try to forgive myself for the mistakes I made, but continue to struggle with it.
I have suffered with CFS for over half my life now.

Stress had a lot to do with the onset of cfs and RA for me. Even now, if I am put under a lot of stress, I go into a flare. I just can't and DON't handle it well any more.
I do a lot of relaxation exercises / meditation/ yoga/ reading spiritual books/ and do not get involved w/ ppl and situations that are stressful.

The same for me, Stress made me crash. Stress depletes vitamins. I take
a multivitamin, 1 1/2 tablets a day, I cut it half, take in the a.m, at noon, afternoon. The B-vitamins are water soluble so these are being depleted daily. I take 1 tablet of Vitamin C, I cut it in half, take in the a.m. and the other half in the afternoon. I do this so that the intake supports my stress level throughout the day and to hopefully avoid burnout. This seems to help.

You should read You Can Heal Your Life By Louise Hays amazing help for my mental health.