Re: Be Open or Keep It Quiet?

July 2, 2008

We all throw around the word chronic fatigue and we are doing ourselves a

disfavor.

Chronic fatigue may be from stress, lack of sleep, depression, thyroid

problems, etc. With chronic fatigue you can point the finger at the problem

CFIDS is a totally different ³can of worms² It is a multilateral disease

that attacks the brain and central nervous system. The central nervous sytem

(it think) is to blame for immune dysfunctions, adrenal and thyroids

problems. It is very similar to MS and just as disabling.

We need to use the correct them for what we have and to educate people. And,

unfortunately, they can¹t point their finger at 1 thing and say that is your

problem.

It is difficult. I have had people say ³Well, you know that we¹re not

getting any younger² ²You need a double espresso² etc. Nobody takes it

seriously.

Frustrated with the stupid name.

Frustrated with the lack of treatment.

Lois

July 4, 2008

>

> Lois,

You are absolutely right!!! My primary care doctor of more than 25

years still thinks I'm just trying to do too much AND I've been

through a great deal of mental health trauma. This is after his

younger associate worked with me to find out what was going on when

my symptoms hit me like a brick upon returning from a fabulous

vacation and my diagnosis was confirmed by Dr. Levine.

One of my friends suggested that I should seek mental health care

when I told her I had CFS. When I told her I've been seeing someone

in that field for a year before I experienced the initial symptoms,

her reponse was " I'm glad. "

I've decided that it's best to keep my diagnosis to myself and my

family. I believe the term fatigue is the problem. Unless someone

understands the severe nature of the fatgue, it's easy to attribute

the problem to other explanations for being tired.

Be well,

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