Wow, that's a big problem. I was 16 when I got CFS, so I know what it's like to go to school and feel horrible. I finished High School and college, but I wouldn't recommend doing what I did. I pushed my limits terribly. I was sick with tonsilitis almost constantly. I was on antibiotics constantly. I would literally pass out randomly. My point is, I tried to get through it by denying it. That will set you up for more trouble in the future. It is hard to go to school with CFS. It's just like having a full-time job with CFS. Pacing is the only thing that has helped me. When I am tired, I have to rest and not push through it. That's hard, however, given your situation. Typically, I don't encourage people to try to study at home, but perhaps cyberschool could be an option, at least until you reach a higher baseline of energy. I know it's better to be there in person, but only you can determine what your limits have to be. Many blessings, dear one. I truly feel for you that you are suffering at this young age. Hold tight.

I agree with triunfadora... I pretty much always do; she's one smart cookie. Respecting the illness, pacing and resting proactively or at the very least when I need to, and until I feel better are really the only things that have helped me.

Well, those and D-ribose; I think that's helped me quite a bit. You might want to try that. I get mine from swansonvitamins.com (http://tinyurl.com/o5ddok6), but there are lots of other places you can get it that might be cheaper. Help me out here friends, where else might it be found? I pay about $29 for 4-6 weeks' supply.

If you try it, the recommended dose is 5 grams (not mg) 3 times a day for three weeks, then drop down to twice a day. Rinse and repeat.

That's what works for me, but I'm retired. I have no idea what it must be like for you, brave girl. Best wishes and stay optimistic as much as you can. This illness is bad enough without feeling bad about it too.

So sorry this hit you so young. Kuddos on working hard to finish school. I agree with resting whenever you are able, using d-ribose and would also suggest seeing a naturopathic doctor if you are able to. S/he can give you supplements that may help. I'm thinking herbs to give your immune and adrenal systems some help as well as some b complex if you are not getting enough in your diet.
Do eat only good food, your body needs nutrient dense food to work with, junk food is just that, junk. Meat, veggies, fruit and grains (if your body tolerates grains). Also stay hydrated. You'd be surprised how often you can be extra tired just because our bodies are so worn down they forget to tell us to drink up!
Wishing you all the best. This illness does very often have remission periods. I've had some up to 2 yrs so don't give up, just realize it's a part of your life now and some days it will make itself known more than others.
I hope all the work being done using us older folks as guinea pigs (the cfs blood bank projects, etc) make it so that you are healed soon! Even if it never helps us, if it will help the next generation, then it's all good.

I would pace, like the others say, and also do anything you can to get your stress levels down like relaxation or whatever helps you. I would personally stay away from stimulants like caffeine. Evidence apparently shows that some people recover within the first few years of having CFS so don't think that it is permanent necessarily and I really wouldn't push yourself because that will make it last longer. Listen to your body as much as you can. Get as much emotional support as you can as it sounds like you are going through a lot. If there's an option of taking more time off to recover more fully then it might be worth considering or cyberschool like triunfadora suggests. I think if I hadn't pushed myself so much to keep going at the beginning I wouldn't have got so ill.

I agree with the others that pacing is so important. You have to make decisions about what activities each week are the most important. Plan for those that require lots of energy. Schedule rest before and after the activity. Make sure that some of the activities are fun and include some social interaction. Keep the spirit happy is important.
Another little helpful hint that might help you from reinfecting yourself with whatever bug is going around. Fighting viruses drains the system. Soak you toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide after every brushing.
Hope you find some joy in going to school. Hang in there.

thank you so much! i'm very much an all-or-nothing person- i struggle so much with pacing, i get frustrated at not being able to do everything i used to do. i'm a hard worker and falling behind gives me mad anxiety. i've been trying exercise at the gym and yoga when i don't want to go out, i have a session of cognitive behaviour therapy booked and it's good to hear that it's okay to slow down; something i'm not good at, but i understand has to be done for my health.

you should know that CBT for CFS in UK is usually based on the idea that it is really a mental illness and that you have some kind of delusional illness belief when you are not really ill and that any issues are caused by deconditioning and anxiety. However they are not upfront about this. There is no evidence to this assumption (see posts on PACE trial). CBT could help with anxiety and stress but please be careful with their attitudes to CFS/ME.

CFS has been redefined in the US as Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease because of the post exertional malaise. In the UK we are horridly backward and the NHS largely treat it as a mental illness, which has hurt a lot of people.

Some movement is good, but you really want to be careful that the exercise at the gym doesn't throw you back into a crash. As Lupin said, the illness has been renamed to SEID and it's now considered "exertion intolerance." So, doing too much will land you in a crash that is hard to overcome. I understand the anxiety about your schoolwork. I was always a very applied student as well. I applaud you for your efforts, but please be gentle to your body. And don't let anyone tell you that you got this because you are mentally unstable. I'm fine with CBT for lots of issues, but there is no way to think yourself well again. I am so terribly sorry that you are suffering so much. Many blessings on your dear soul.

Here in Australia CFS is classified as an autoimmune disease and it's been years since the medical establishment has tried to get sufferers to 'push through' or thought us mental cases. I have attended CBT to help me come to terms with and cope with the condition and I found it extremely helpful for that.

Precisely, cmiat! To use CBT for coping with the illness is quite different than to use to try to cure it. I would totally agree with counseling to help us cope. That makes all the sense in the world, as long as they recognize that the illness is real. Thanks for that clarification, cmiat.