My cat Blackster makes a big difference in my life. She is just like a human companion...minus all the arguing...LOL!

I'm like Skinnybinny, I cherish my solitude...painful as it is sometimes. I've had some really bad experiences with people and finally I have a time in my life where no one is "picking on me".

It's nice not to have to keep justifying my lifestyle to dumb people who don't/won't understand the limitations of chronic illness.

Hugs to all of you!!! I'm really struggling with anxiety caused from the isolation. Every time I try to do something that I can no longer accomplish, I just start crying. I hate the fatigue and not being able to feel productive even at home. It is hard for healthy people with busy lives to slow down enough to understand. My best friend keeps in touch, but I couldn't keep up with her anymore. Every day feels the same to me...long and lonely. I just haven't found the right routine, yet. It is good to read what others are trying. Thank you!

Butterfly,

I find it helpful to compare myself to my worst symptom days. It makes it feel not so bad. Also to celebrate every accomplishment. This of course is much easier said than done. I go through periods like what you are going through too.

I keep my expectations for myself very low. Like, I'm going to be on the computer and watching Netflix today. And my goal is to get enough to eat today. And the next day I feel up to it I'm going to the store, possibly with help. Forming it this way helps me not be down because I wasn't up to it today.

I've had cfs for 3 1/2 years now. It has only been this winter that I have started mourning the losses caused by this illness, mainly energy levels. At first I was too worn out to care. I think I cared about as much as if someone woke me up in the middle of the night....isn't that what this feels like sometimes?

RichieD. I think I have had the similar experience and things are finally quiet. I am totally lonely but I am totally wiped out and there is only so much I can do for now. The lousy people trying to drain me didn't help at all. I now need my solitude to recover. Taking a "vacation from relationships" right now as someone suggested to me on another board. I just have to go with it for now.

I can't add too much from what others have of fered you Gabriel.
I am fortunate to be fairly active. Today, is definitely a 'down' day'.
Which means I rest on the couch. Talk on the phone. Surf
about the net. Even if I have craft projects, I don't have the
energy to do them. I have to pace myself so I can shop and
prepare food since I have no help with that. That can be
daunting. I agree that a support group can be of help . Maybe
you could start one where you live if there isn't one already if
you are able to go out even once every couple of weeks?
Either way, I 'feel' for you. I wish you well. I hope you can
have a few good days to make up for the ones which aren;t.
But keep on posting here because I know that's been a
big help hearing where others are at. Knowing you're
not the only one having to deal with all of this.

I'm so sorry everyone is going through this (as am I). It is one of the most difficult things to explain to friends and family - "I don't know what to *do*." I'm technically awake, but unable to actually engage. I can stare at the screen while the television is on, but that isn't that same as watching TV. I can run my eyes across words on a page, but that isn't reading. I can hear people talking, but that isn't listening. I can say some words, but that isn't communicating. Mostly I just wait. Putter around and try to do *something* if I can. The waiting is the hardest part, perhaps because it is heavy with the fear that the waiting has become my life - nothing else lies ahead.
At least we're all alone together, right?

I haven't been to this board for a long time, but I've recently gotten into a bad slump. I not only have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome but also Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and other things, so even when I come back out of a CFS relapse, I still have to stay isolated because of the sensitivities, and so many things are toxic to me.

It's been this way for me for over 30 years now, and I'm out of ways to cope with it. I've lost most of my previous friendships over one thing or another, and most of my family doesn't understand and doesn't want to. The loneliness is incredibly daunting, and might be far worse than the actual illnesses causing the isolation which leads to the loneliness.

I have a friend who has chemical sensitivity. She explains to people days before hand that she could have a reaction to any scented product they might wear. When people come over she has them put their coats in the garage and take off their shoes. This helps her.

I hope all the replies are making you feel less alone. I am on the downward slide of a relapse and sometimes i feel like my whole social life is going to the doctor! I would not make it without my cats. Even a fish or plants would help.

I try to do something nice for someone once a day. Usually that means sending an email.

I don't have any easy answers, but I certainly know what that feels like. When my energy was very low I slept a lot, which isn't really a solution, but at least I am not lonely when I am sleeping.

Another thing that helped me connect to the world was to go to 12 Step meetings online. Of course you would have to be an addict or codependent of some sort to attend a 12 Step meeting, but many of us are, so you might qualify. :) The meetings served me both socially and spiritually. They also didn't require me to be constantly talking/typing/listening, so if my attention or energy was not strong, I could still be there at the meeting and take from it what I could. If you don't qualify for a 12 Step group, maybe there are other spiritual groups that meet in chatrooms? I haven't researched it, but honestly, it was that type of connection that helped me to stay sane when I was really isolated.