First of all, I'm sorry you are feeling this way. I hope this won't become "chronic" for you. But if it does, every person's experience with this illness is so different, it's hard to predict how long exacerbations last, and how much improvement can be achieved.

I've had CFS for at least 23 years, probably more. In my first three or four years, I could barely function. After about five years, I went back to work, part time, then full time.

Now I am disabled with MCS, and chronic fatigue is a component of this disorder. But I can take long walks, do low impact aerobics, clean the house, etc.

I'd be interested in hearing what other members have to say about this.

Comes and goes. My worst was three years. Another time I slept 18 hours a day - with 4 kids - it lasted 2 years and ended my marriage. Of course, once the stress was gone, I got better, like magic.

Do your best to avoid stress - de-stress as much as you can. Yoga can help you get a handle on things like centering and balance, plus the stretches can ease away muscle spasms.

Easy stuff that you do at home - maybe from a DVD. Only do what you can. Tai chi is good, too.

If you do go into a remission, try to strength train as much as your body will allow but be really careful to not overdo. A healthy diet will help also.

But, none of this is going to cure it. Until Scientists come up with something, we're left to just cope.

Do some more reading of these DS posts - at your leisure, of course. Many of the people here are experts at coping.

mine has been gradually getting worse for the last 3 years. now at the point where i dont have any good days.

I can't add anything to the previous posts, they said everything I could have said. My experience with this illness was much like theirs, and now I am disabled, but not totally incapacitated.

Sometimes you can exercise and shake off fatigue, but you had better be very careful doing that...or you can wind up with a massive flare. It just takes time and patience to learn how to deal with this illness...and in the end it rules us, we only do what it lets us get away with.

Did you get blood work done to make sure you do not have an infection, low b12, anemia. Do not think the worst yet, it may be truly fixable. I hope this encourages you. I have MS and I still live a productive life. Try not to take on the doom and gloom. A positive attitude helps! Blessings, Sandi

20 years here and i am soooo tired of being tired. I have never been diagnosed but pretty much feel this is what I have. I hope you feel better.

Sandi- I had a full blood work done on Dec. 28th...everything came back normal except my potassium levels were a little low.

At first, it came and went. I had good days even good weeks. Then we moved, my son became very ill, my daughter was diagnosed with MS and after several months I realized that I never had good days anymore.

I've had surgery 4 times and surgery can make CFS worse temporarily or permanently. The first had no effect on me. The second was a mastectomy and reconstruction and after almost two years I've never recovered from it.

The CFS definitely got worse after 8 hours of surgery and a long long recovery. I've had CFS for almost 14 years. It only gets worse.

I hope you have a different outcome. I wouldn't wish this illness on anyone.

Double check with the doctors where you landed on "normal". I have CFS, FM, and CEBV, all of which are exhausting. However I used to be even worse when my thyroid was not medicated. I tested "normal" but on the low side of thryoid. As soon as I was treated for hypothyroid, I was able to get through the days (yes I still need 10 hours of sleep every night and a nap... but I look much less narcoleptic! haha).
I have to agree that a positive attitude makes all the difference. Its hard during an intense flare up when you are bed ridden, and its hard to adjust your lifestyle - most of us have been living with these issues for years... but eventually you do. With chronic illness you have a choice. You can either create stories about what the future will be like (I'll be crippled, too tired to live, jobless, loveless, etc) or you can acknowledge that the future isn't here yet and that you really have no idea how you will feel in the future and so you live for today. You get up, you keep going, you don't give in - but at the same time you respect these new limits, you give yourself extra time and care, you don't push yourself.

I never really thought about it, cause I basically feel tired all the time, I do energy drinks just to keep working. I do know I have to watch where I spend my energy, when I am at home I just rest and watch tv. Then I usually have the energy to get and do my work.Other then that my life has changed so much since this illness, I don't go out and hike and do all the things I use to do. I just wish and pray the dr's find a cure for this disease, until then I just have to watch where I spend my energies.

I try to stay as close to a bed or chair as possible. Standing still gets me the worst, then walking more than fifty yards is next. If I sit I can usually handle an hour or two. Driving gets me in about 30 minutes or so. Doctor appointments wipe me out if I have to drive myself and walk, then sit and wait on them only to get no help. If I lay in bed I can recoup in about an hour or so. Laying flat is the best for me to recoup sooner. That is my method to have any kind of life at all. You will find your comfort zone then try your best to stay within your limits and except the situation as best you can. Many of the people with this disease are worse off than others, so count your blessings when they come around. Those of you that have had this disease for many years are my HEROES. I starting my third year and I feel like I just got a handle on it.

I suffer from chronic fatigue. Mine came on after the birth of my third child. The doctor thought I was just tired from being a busy mom, but it has never gone away.

I will have a post exertional malaise if I do too much on a day...it will last anywhere from 1 til 4 days.

Hi Courtney
Sorry to hear you are going through such a terrible time. I can definitely relate to what you are going through as mine has recently flared up about three months ago as well and has not gotten better yet. My doctor tested me for epstein barr virus and said my titers (levels in the blood) are flared up which would explain my fatigue. Epstein barr virus is often tied to CFS so I'm wondering if your doctor tested you for that??