You forgot to put a link to the article.

I am forever thinking up better ways to explain myself. Sometimes I put in ways to defend myself right in the explanation. Like being quick to say this is a physical illness.

I hope your new doctor is better than the last.

Going thru a crash is fun isnt it? I'd forget my own head if it wasn't attached.

Here'se the link, plus another good one I found...

http://www.googobits.com/articles/p0-1092-chronic-fatigue-syndrome--are-you-sick-or-just-lazy-or-crazy.html

http://www.cfidsselfhelp.org/library/getting-through-bad-days

In one of these threads a year ago or so, somebody mentioned that they have a little piece of paper they keep in their wallet that lists all of their symptoms. I always find it so hard to rattle them all off on command when someone asks.

I've kept my little credit-card-sized list in my wallet since reading that and it's made it easier to explain the situation to doctors, friends, family, co-workers, you name it. I highly recommend.

Doctors seem to think that if we can't remember our symptoms when they hurriedly interrogate us, we must not be having serious problems with them.

They may have memorized enough to pass tests in med school, but they missed the part where they were supposed to have learned how to be doctors. And they certainly don't understand the reality of brain fog.

Somehow I don't think that they teach hostile interrogation in med school...yet that's what I keep getting from them.

Since I'm a guy, I'm going to look at this logically here. Here goes...

1. CFS is uncurable by any medical means
2. If this is so, why would anyone waste a minute of time or even a dollar of their money going to see a medical doctor?

Please add numbers 3, 4, 5 or whatever you like. Thanks.

Good points. Most people continue to see DR.s to rule other conditions out and in hopes of alleviating some of the suffering. I've learned that everyone's burn out rate is personal. A friend of mine has done the naturopathic thing for 20 yrs and I lasted about 7 years. I know a prominent CFS group volunteer who, after she died the autopsy showed extensive internal cancer. She had several personal DR friends however the numerous CFS symptoms she had for 20 years never led her to inquiry for cancer. It is such a challenge and we are all doing the best we can.

Much as I am coming to despise doctors I keep going to see them because

1) I want to identify/rule out other treatable conditions which may account for my symptoms

2) I don't know how to manage this illness by myself. The internet is an extremely valuable resource but it really is too much information.

Currently looking into the holistic docs because I know I need to make dietary changes, but attempts to do it on my own have resulted in pretty bad crashes. I need to know what my body needs, what my levels are at any given time, what changes in response to my changes in diet.

When I get an adverse response, I need to know if this is something I can simply ride through or if I need to get my butt to a hospital.

I need someone who can look at my history, put the pieces together and formulate a solution. Lord knows I am not capable of that level of critical thinking most of the time.

So much as I hate em...

PS : My new doc put me on a detox diet then called 2 days later to tell me to stop. From assessing my test results she concluded that a diet which causes rapid detox/weight loss could send my liver into shock and kill me within hours.

She is now suggesting a moderated detox plan where she can minimize the crashes with shots etc.

When I think of how easily I could have put myself into grave danger, I am unnerved.

Endzone: for symptom alleviation, pure and simple.
Every little bit helps.

I usually make detailed notes any time I go to a doctor's appointment. I include current medications/supplements and symptoms, recent changes (including dates) to meds/supplements and symptoms, and questions. I have taken to bringing three copies: one for the doctor, which I give to the receptionist so he can look it over before I see him, if he so chooses; one for me; and one for anyone coming with me (I usually bring my Mom - the more ears listening, the better).

Please keep us posted - let us know how it goes with the new doc. Fingers crossed for you!