CBT doesn't make much sense to me as a treatment for CFS. I'm sure it can help with co-existing emotional conditions, but it's not going to give you your energy back.

I used a wheelchair when I went to Mexico. I also used a surgical mask on the plane, much to the chagrin of my kids. But all the people around me were hacking up a lung. I couldn't risk it. Just one word of caution about the wheelchair thing: Even if you ask for a chair to be there when you get off the plane, it's often not there. It happened to me twice that they didn't have a chair for me when I got off the plane. I complained, but the lady said, "Yeah, that's typical. We get that complaint a lot."

Best of luck with your trip. Don't worry about trying to explain anything to your sister. You know it's real. That's what really matters.

The only CBT type treatment that has ever helped me was learning to accept this illness and move on with my life the way it is now...and I did that by reading a book (how to be sick). I've been in and out of therapy for years for ptsd, etc but luckily never ran into a therapist who thought I could attitude my way out of this illness...

re: the wheelchair. Good call! Hope they dont keep you waiting too long and I hope you have a fun trip!

I just did a short (1.5 hr) flight. Trying to make it through immigration I did look longingly over at the folks int he wheelchair line. But my pride prevented me from asking for the help.

I think perhaps next time I'll definitely ask for a wheelchair.

Just passing on what I've read...that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help somewhat. Not as a cure, but as a help in maintaining a positive attitude toward your situation.

Seems like if there is no physiological treatment that helps very much, it wouldn't hurt to readjust one's attitudes...not sure if I'd try it though. I have also read that positive mindset can dramatically affect the process of healing and counter inflammation. This was found in very recent research.

Or maybe it's all bunk. Honestly I really don't know, but I thought you might want to hear about what is being published on the subject.

I have traveled a couple of times this year and on the first too occasions my BF was too impatient to let me go and get the wheelchair assistance (i have fibromyalgia and poly myalgia). the last time though, I traveled with my daughter and got the wheelchair, it made such a difference. it is definitely worth asking for and makes your life a lot easier as the long walks in the airport can be a killer, you even get brought straight through security and there is no wait to get on the plane. the guy that brought the wheelchair was so kind too, he left us at a place to get coffee and then came back and got us when it was time for the flight.

Thats so frustrating. I'm still explaining to my sisters after 5 years of this. Every trips have such big prices, especially on the return! I totally echo the pride keeps me from the wheelchair(which is dumb of me), but I think you've got the right idea being the healthy looking scooter mom! Screw what the other people think. They are wrong :) Rock that scooter!

This got me thinking about the whole wheelchair/scooter thing and pride.
I have a motorized wheelchair. I use it when I got to street fairs and country fairs, anywhere there is a lot of walking. I have a regular wheelchair for places it doesn't work and a walker/wheelchair combo that is in the car all the time. I also finally unashamed (mostly) use the "mart-cart" in the grocery store. I have made a conscious choice to use these helpers because I might be able to walk around the grocery store or the mall but then...halfway through I might not. I find it far less embarrassing to just use it and have the locals get used to me in it than to end up on the floor and convince them I don't need an ambulance (yeah, been there). Overwhelmingly I have found people are helpful and even stop me to chat about how I manage to get things off the top shelf (long handled grabber) etc. If there are a few people out there judging me because they just see the fat lady on the wheelchair, well, I can't live their judgemental lives for them and I do have one to live myself...and if using the wheelchair or the cart means I can travel, or go to a fair with the grandkids, or to a concert with my husband, then me not using it out of pride would really be the worst kind of self abuse. I'm a wiccan but was born a Catholic and I still remember proverbs 16 which says, in essence, that pride goes before a fall. In this case, for us it could mean literally and that fall would be a crash or a need to not go or to leave an otherwise enjoyable situation.... So, yeah! Get that wheelchair, ride that scooter, and have an easier trip, a better day, a more comfortable, longer visit. Off my soapbox. Took me 22 yrs to get here but I wish I had not waited so long! Hugs to all of you and scootermom, bon voyage :)