Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – 10 Facts You Should Know
In addition to depression and/or dysthymia, I also suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. My doctor assures me that it will go eventually, but more than ten years on, I’m still waiting. It’s a challenging condition to live with but what’s worse is that there are still many people who believe it isn’t real.
So, as I have my blog, I’m going to clear up the crap about this condition.
1. The Symptoms Are Very Real
I’m lucky that I only have a moderate severity of chronic fatigue syndrome. I can still go to work, although it’s tough some days. I look after my house and pets. However, even a moderate level affects my quality of life. I am tired all day. From the moment I get up to the moment I go to sleep. I can sleep four hours or fourteen, and I will still yawn constantly when I wake.
If I do too much in a day, all my muscles ache like I have the flu. By “too much”, I don’t mean a day-long hike or an intense exercise class. It might be hoovering the ground floor of my house, or walking to the supermarket and back.
The part I hate worst is brain fog. I’ve always been intelligent and fairly quick thinking. Now it feels like my brain is wrapped in cotton wool. Reasoning and working things out are so much harder. I forget things all the time. It’s so frustrating.
I also find when my tiredness is bad my stomach plays up too—lots of cramps, diarrhoea, gas and occasional nausea.
2. There Is No Test For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
One of the reasons people don’t believe chronic fatigue is genuine is that there’s no test for it. The only way to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome is to rule out everything else.
Before I was diagnosed, I was tested for the following:
Diabetes
Thyroid issues
Cancer
Autoimmune disorders
Vitamin D deficiency
Anaemia
Sleep Disorders
3. What Causes Chronic Fatigue?
Unfortunately for all of us sufferers, no one knows for sure. In my case, it came on after I had two nasty chest infections, almost back to back. Both took multiple courses of antibiotics and steroids to clear it. After my second one eventually healed, I just didn’t feel right. I was still so tired, regardless of how much I rested. My muscles ached if I moved around for more than a few minutes at a time.
Some sufferers report that it appeared after a very stressful period in their lives. Others say they never fully recovered following surgery or another physical trauma.
4. Sufferers Can Be Fine One Day And Bad The Next
As I explained above, all it takes is for me to do slightly too much on the wrong day, and my body makes me pay. I am physically and mentally exhausted, I hurt all over, and I can barely think straight.
If you see me on a good day, I will appear normal. I talk, laugh, cook, clean, etc. What you don’t know is that I might have had to build my energy reserves for days or even longer to have that one good day. Or I may pay for that day by extreme tiredness in the days after.
Most people with chronic fatigue syndrome learn how to manage the condition to live as normal a life as possible. You may never see what a struggle it is.
5. I Am NOT Lazy
Ok, sometimes I am, but so is everyone! Chronic fatigue syndrome is not laziness; it is a physical condition. When I don’t do something, whether it’s a social event, exercise, household chores or personal hygiene, it’s because I can’t. I am too tired and sore to manage it. Making me feel guilty makes me feel worse and will not magically cure my body and change the situation.
You never know what others are going through, so just be kind, ok?
6. There Is No Treatment
Most people with chronic fatigue syndrome learn to manage their condition through trial and error. In my case, I have to look after myself in the following ways:
- I try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day
- I feel better if I get a good balance of nutritious foods in my diet
- I need to stay hydrated
- I have to balance exercise carefully with other activities during the day
- I have to build in rest breaks. I don’t necessarily sleep, but I take a few minutes to lie down quietly and let my mind and body rest
- I have to listen to my body. If it tells me not to do something, I have to respect that. On the occasions I ignored my body, I regretted it
7. Losing Weight Will Not Help
This is one of the most frustrating things about being fat. If a fat person has any symptom, from fatigue to crippling pain, they will always be told weight loss will help. It’s bloody insulting and often just plain wrong! Chronic Fatigue Syndrome affects people with all body types, so weight is not a factor.
My weight has fluctuated several stones in my time with chronic fatigue, and it has made no difference whatsoever for the better or worse.
Over To You
If you have chronic fatigue or know someone who does, please feel free to pop your experiences and questions in the comments. Bye for now x
