Any fellow CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) sufferers?

[blueangel]

Hi Everyone 🙂

 So I've had chronic fatigue syndrome for about 13 months now and honestly I can't remember what it's like to feel energised and not tired (ugh so over it..). I exercise daily, eat well (most of the time haha) and have quite bad caffeine habits (on average I have equivalent of 8-10 cups of coffee per day) but I'm feeling extra somnolent of late and need some new ideas.

Any advice or suggestions would be awesome!

[Chris_B]

Hi blueangel, welcome to the forums. Have a look through some of the threads in our Trauma and chronic physical illness forum.

These threads specifically may be of interest to you:

I have CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and other chronic health conditions

Fatigue - how do you cope?

Sick and tired of always being sick and tired

Just can't get out of bed, so tired

And these resources from beyondblue:

Chronic physical illness, anxiety and depression

Coping with a serious health event - how to keep mentally well

[Denv12]

Hi blueangel.

I have cfs as well.And had OCD for several years. I can relate to the no energy thing.I have that.What I do to get through a day better is to do acupressure for CFS.Its rubbing pressure points that give you a little energy. I do them an hour before I get out of bed then after I get out of bed.There are times my energy levels drop at any moment I just do those pressure points again.

There are several pressure points.You can do a search for acupressure for cfs.I found one site that shows diagrams showing those pressure points.Rub each one gently for 30 seconds at a time.

Another thing I use everyday to reduce the severity,its called "Faster E.F.T". Its tapping on pressure points. You can use it for CFS as well.I've been using it for almost a year. You can do a search for "Faster E.F.T" where you can find diagrams,youtube videos,etc.There's even a support forum for people wanting advice while they use it.I used to feel very heavy as if I was dragging my feet but I'm a lot better because of those 2 things I do everyday.Its a work in progress but its worth the effort.

What sort of things do you do to get through a day?  For me,I usually read books.(I buy a lot).Some self help books like acupressure,relationships,and just books on hobbies,etc.Helps my day. Living on my own is a pain,I dont get outside help.I have to get groceries,etc delivered.

You are welcome to compare notes anytime.

[soulsolaris]

Hiya, i am also diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia aswell as a huge handful of other symptoms. Like you, I'm abit lost as to how to deal with the fatigue or anything i can do for it. I hope we both find some answers. Mine is so severe i am incapable of doing pretty much anything. Right now im having a big flare up of symptoms so the fatigue is even worse.

Im interesting in trying some of the suggestions above. Unfortunately i dont have much to offer in terms of advice but i do completely understand and empathize with how you feel. xx

[soulsolaris]

I would however suggest if you havent maybe try cutting out certain foods. Ive cut out gluten and dairy and most grains. Im quite sure this flare up was because i actually decided to eat rice aswell as butter everyday for a few weeks and they are known to cause autoimmune reactions if you have gut issues. Im also personally wanting to look into a candida overgrowth and leaky gut as possible causes of my fatigue and other symptoms. May not be a whole lot of help but that's all i have to give, lol.

[Nigel11]

I have finally been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue. I have been complaining of it for years. Doctors and specialists always put it down to my spinal fusion 14yrs ago. Now I have this along with Emphysema, IBS, Hearing Loss, Sleep Apnea and a few other conditions. I have been very limited in what I can do for years now. I can't remember when I last had a good day when I could actually think clearly without brain fog and constant neck pain.

I was knocked back for the 3rd time claiming the DSP. Originally I had 20 points in 2004. In 2014 it was reduced to 15 points and only last week they rejected my claim again and added to insult by reducing my incapacity to work to 5pts. I was literally gobsmacked. My conditions have been treated over the years event though not full diagnosed. Atm, the only relief I get is trying to sleep. But that has it's drawbacks, especially with Central Sleep Apnea. It only happens to me when I have day time naps. Possibly because I don't take sleeping pills during the day. I can't drive on the open highway or around town for more that 20-30mins either. I've lost half my hearing in one ear and am unable to wear aid as it irritates my ear.

I have so many issues that Centrelink won't even recognise my Chronic Fatigue as it is recently diagnosed and not treated or stabalised in there eyes. A real kick in the guts for me.

They all say that I need to go to a psychiatrist and that my condition is depression. They didn't even forward my claim to medical professionals. So now I have go back to specialists Lung, Orthopaedic, Psychiatrist just to name a few to convince them that my conditions are permanent. It sucks. I can't afford a CPAP let alone all my medications.

Any suggestions?

[eightball]

I have mild chronic fatigue and am severely depressed. Thanks

[carolko]

I have aquaduct stenosis; which requires brain surgery to put shunts in. I've now had about 21 of them; the last one causing brain damage (forgetfulness etc). I quit my job, moved to Geelong but now I find myself with no friends and I'm depressed. Life is strange....

[LittleA]

Hi blueangel.

I suffer cfs also. I'm only new to it, a few months in, so unfortunately don't have much advice. It's taken a massive toll on my relationship, to the point that I don't know if we'll last much longer. It's all too hard for my partner.

I also suffer depression & anxiety, which my cfs has enhanced 10-fold.

I hope you find some relief soon. All the best x

[RJSDriver]

Hello all,

I am undiagnosed CFS, but have clear symptoms. Mostly related to cancer surgery of stomach, chemo and later diet issues with gluten, lactose, sugar and other things.

Have improved my situation a lot, lost some weight, gained a good understanding of diet etc. Still wake up tired, go to sleep tired.

Just left another (of many) jobs due to this condition. Am broke, and have been mostly for past 20 odd years - being chronically tired is not good for working in most jobs, as the readers would know already.

I look hard for options, possible solutions to working while having this terrible illness, in 21 years never found one that really fits. Working is the only thing that will fix my financial situation, and is the one thing I cant really do. It sucks.

I have not obtained any treatment for this, as I know there isn't one worth looking at, other than the lifestyle changes I have already made. I am very reluctant seeing any so called specialists, as from my very extensive contact with medical people, they will get paid no matter what advice they provide.

CFS is my main driver for some depression I fight off from time to time. Life has been a real struggle, with small glimmers of hope here and there. They are the things I try to remember - birth of my kids etc.

Still searching for a solution......