Hi all,

I do not have an official diagnosis, but am convinced I have CFS. I have seen a variety of specialists and no one can figure out what's wrong with me.

A little background...I had mono in 2011 and haven't felt the same since. I used to live a very active life and now I can hardly do anything. I've tried all sorts of different medications and nothing seems to work. I've changed my diet and taken supplements, but saw no improvement. If I exercise (when I do, it's never very rigorous or for more than 30-40 minutes), I generally need to sleep for several hours to recover, then can be awake for a few hours, then need to go back to bed. It is so bad that even taking my dog for a brief walk exhausts me.

I can feel the fatigue throughout every part of my body. I can't think straight. It seems as if there are heavy weights all over me. Being around people makes things exponentially worse. I get headaches and feel dizzy in crowded spaces. I don't always feel like I need to sleep, but when I am exhausted, it feels as if I cannot even speak.

I've had several doctors say I'm depressed, but if anything I'm depressed BECAUSE this pervasive fatigue is keeping me from living the life I want to. I am currently in graduate school and am concerned I am going to have to drop out. My family and friends do not understand and become frustrated when I have to cancel plans. 

I know I'm fortunate that I can get out of bed at all, but I just don't know what to do. No one believes me and I don't know how to go on.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you.