Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) describes a sense of exhaustion and post-exertion malaise, even when you have gotten enough rest and sleep. The disease is characterized by six months of incapacitating fatigue experienced as profound exhaustion and extremely poor stamina, and problems with concentration and short-term memory. The cause is unknown, but it is a...
HI, I don't know if I actually have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I've got something debilitating, though. I'm planning to go back to the doctors again, to see if they can find what's wrong.
To start at the top, I just did (over 3 days) three 6 hour shifts at a nursing home. It's pretty physical, running up and down stairs a fair bit as well. I slept over 10 hours last night, which is usual. but when I finally awoke, I felt like I'd been hit by a truck. I stayed in bed another few hours, just resting.
I did some things today - did my grocery shopping, went to AA. I was feeling exhausted, like I could hardly be bothered to breathe.
My background - I wasn't always like this. I was an active young woman. Had a mental breakdown when I was 28, many trips to psych hospital. I'm on anti psychotics and anti depressants. Since the breakdown, my abilities have been severely curbed.
I always need 10 hours sleep, and lots of 'rest' time (time of inactivity).
I've been a 'part time' person all this time, I'm 54 now.
I've had my thyroid checked, and a few other things it's all normal.
I just get so tired!
I'll probably sleep 12 hours tonight, and then rest tomorrow, before doing a night shift.
Night shift is good, because you're only active for half the shift.
I am stable on my psych drugs, these days, living a normal life - except for the fatigue.
Just wondering if I fit in here, or if anyone can relate.
To start at the top, I just did (over 3 days) three 6 hour shifts at a nursing home. It's pretty physical, running up and down stairs a fair bit as well. I slept over 10 hours last night, which is usual. but when I finally awoke, I felt like I'd been hit by a truck. I stayed in bed another few hours, just resting.
I did some things today - did my grocery shopping, went to AA. I was feeling exhausted, like I could hardly be bothered to breathe.
My background - I wasn't always like this. I was an active young woman. Had a mental breakdown when I was 28, many trips to psych hospital. I'm on anti psychotics and anti depressants. Since the breakdown, my abilities have been severely curbed.
I always need 10 hours sleep, and lots of 'rest' time (time of inactivity).
I've been a 'part time' person all this time, I'm 54 now.
I've had my thyroid checked, and a few other things it's all normal.
I just get so tired!
I'll probably sleep 12 hours tonight, and then rest tomorrow, before doing a night shift.
Night shift is good, because you're only active for half the shift.
I am stable on my psych drugs, these days, living a normal life - except for the fatigue.
Just wondering if I fit in here, or if anyone can relate.
But I figure what does it matter anyhow? Medicine has never found a cure for ANY of the chronic illnesses, so I personally don't care too much which one I have. I can't afford the outlandish prices the local doctors charge these days anyway.
I keep a journal and review it now and then to see if things are getting better or worse. I stay about the same, it's been that way for a really long time now. So I just try to live with it all, and do the best I can. I do the things that seem to help, and avoid the things that make me worse.
And thank you for your post. I can relate to the
fatigue part of what you've written. Also, the work part of what
you've written. It took quite a while for me to get my thyroid
diagnosed properly. I was hypothyroid. Also, my adrenals were
'burned out'. The supplements, prescriptions now help with that.
I sometimes suggest people look at the book, "From
Fatigued to Fantastic" by Jacob Teitelbaum. (One person
commented he was pushing his expensive supplements?) but
I'm not saying to go to his clinic or buy his supplements unless
you decide or can afford to do that. I'm just saying the info
that he presented, I found very helpful. (And his supplements
got me through a rough time).
Also, I feel finding a good doctor who takes your
symptoms seriously is very important. I have been treated by
an alternative doctor. A naturopath. I found that many conventional and family practice people do not know how to
test for this or to treat it. Again, that's just my experience.
Yes. I feel you're in a good place here and good
wishes to find out what's going on. Please keep us
updated about what happens. Thanks
Like I'll be able to do my housework, and go to work tonight. I'm very grateful to have a job!
Rosa, thanks for your input. I've had my thyroid checked, and it's normal.
Another thing I do is think of people who are even more disabled than me - and learn to appreciate what I do have, and can do. take care everyone
You're about my age. Do you remember in the early 70's there was all the buzz on the nightly news about how we were going to wipe out cancer? This wasn't too long after we went to the moon, and I guess Americans thought we could do anything. We've spent billions on cancer research. 40 years later, isn't cancer still the 2nd leading cause of death?