Hi everyone. Just a brief post because, well, I'm exhausted.
I've been suffering with crippling mental and physical fatigue for some time now, I've just been reading up on the symptoms of CFS/ME, I cried when I read it as I felt I finally had an answer for how I feel.
After suffering with depression and having previous blood tests back clear I just assumed it was this that is making me 'tired', though I never shook the feeling there was something more physical. It's so painful.
Basically I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow, I'm so afraid they won't take me seriously. If anybody has any tips on how I can handle my GP I would really appreciate it. I just want tp feel better.
Hi Ellie; we all know Exactly where you are coming from (we all feel that it is a never-ending rollercoaster).....can you print out all of the information that you have found..put a tick beside the symptoms that apply to you, and take it with you.....and when you go, insist that your doc does a Thyroid test, especially on your T3T4 Uptake, and have your hormone levels checked, too? The results for thyroid may (probably) come back "within Normal Range"...but Beg for a script for a low-dose of Thyroxin (perhaps play upto your doc's ego) "can I please just trial a low dose of Thyroxin?"....and if he/she suggests seeing a Psychologist for your emotions, go along with the doc....it won't hurt you, and I have/do the same when my Emotions get too much for me....I went onto the Internet, to find one who knows/understands ME, and just talk re your feelings, and they should give you some "coping mechanisms"....as this continual fatigue does need some help.....even to be able to explain to our family/friends, what is happening to us. I also think that you may get your "official diagnosis", sooner by being referred to a CFS Clinic/specialist/Rhuematologist (which ever is closer and affordable for you). Another thing for you, if possible, is to take some "you" time...if you work, can you either cut back on your hours/take some sick leave? This again could come from your doc; do you think it worth asking for a Medical Certificate, to give you that break....you need to be able to rest/sleep when your body tells you to do so....another thing that I find, is the vitamin supplements (the easiest for me is Berroca that I dissolve in a bottle of water, and sip away at all day.....For you to get the help that you need, you may find that persistence/perseverence is really needed...I hope that I've given you helpful advice, and wish you well tomorrow. Please let us know how you get on, and any further advice will always be here, on this forum, for you. Giving you that hug that you are probably needing.....Bron
Thank you so much for your kind words, I finally feel hopeful that I will get somewhere tomorrow. I just want to know what's wrong with me and feel normal again.
I like your idea of printing off symptoms, I find it hard to talk as I have anxiety, and with my necessary caffeine intake at the minute I am struggling.
I am hoping for a medical certificate so I can REST, I cry each day as I am too tired to breathe, I have no idea how I am managing to work.
Hopefully this is the start of me feeling better, thanks for your kind words, I will let you know how I get on
Oh Ellie...that smiley gives us hope after all....can I ask "are you on this side of the Atlantic", as the saying goes....in Australia, as your reply has come back, no sooner than I sent it off? If so, it makes it sooo much easier to give you advice re the health system etc??? Bron
Hi Ellie I myself have jyst been diagnosed with rhumatoid arthritis I like you had been having tests x rays ext and nothing but was transfer to a new hospital who fid tje correct blood texts needed. Still sore inpain tiered and weepy but on the up so there is light at the end of the tunnel
At first when I had no idea what was wrong with me they kept telling me I was just depressed and I can't count the amount of times I told them I wasn't depressed but I was unsure of myself at the time.
Now I'd have a list of symptoms as Bronwyn said, if the doctor suggested that it was down to depression I woud state clearly that it wasn't, and that if he/she won't send me to an ME consultant I'd tell them that I'd need to speak to the practice manager!
Oh and if they mention previous blood test results being clear or suggest new ones say that ME/CFS cannot be diagnosed from blood tests.
Interesting about Berroca Bronwyn. I take so many supplements in tablet form and I've never been able to swallow them easily. Once I was chocking to death on a rather large one an my friend punched me in the back twice and it shot out. He saved my life I'm sure!
We all know how you feel Ellie, it's frightening when something's so horribly wrong with us but a diagnosis definitely helps. If you get a referral for an ME/CFS specialist and you do have it there's help. I had some occupational therapists coming to my home to teach me what they knew about it. It really helped because they cared and I did learn from them though they didn't have all the answers.
Hi Ellie, you could also ask to be referred to a rheumatologist as this is where I was diagnosed with both CFS and fibromyalgia together with osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. Good luck with your appointment :-)
Georgia, it's hard to deal with. I was still working up until March 2014 where my body and brain just gave up on me. I slept in the car going to and from work whilst my partner drove me there, slept all evenings and weekends but needed the money for my mortgage. I have been almost bedridden with pain and tiredness the past year. I have had many spinal, facet joint and trigger point injections, radiofrequency denervation (burning the nerves away), and ops. Now also found out I have the brca1 gene so had my ovaries and tubes out and I get checked all the time for breast cancer. I just been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and I'm finding the thyroxine tablets are helping a bit. I would give anything to have my life back
Perhaps stop letting them do things to you? Be gentle with yourself with good diet and herbs because your body needs to heal and invasive dangerous treatment might not do you any good?
Researchers are exploring exciting lines of evidence suggesting that depression is not simply an imbalance of neurochemicals in the brain but possibly fallout from an inflammatory response mounted by the body to deal with stress.
Chronic low grade infection or allergy/hipersensitivity may cause that. It doesn't have to be perceivable as pain, either.
They've done autopsies on ME patients and found that inflammation of the brain is always there. A Indian doctor put his hands on my head before I knew what was wrong with me told me I had it.
Another doctor some time later told me that my white blood cell count is high. I have multiple chemical sensitivities, numerous food allergies and I've had to take antihiatmines for years due to skin itching.
I get depressed sometimes because I'm sick of being ill but I have the ability to feel happy and hopeful a lot of the time. So why is that so changeabe?
I'm just worried I wouldnt be taken seriously about it due to my history with depression. I KNOW it's more, and I just want it to stop.
I will let you all know how it goes tomorrow. I'm going to write down all my symptoms etc before I go, I'm so nervous, my anxiety is spiking too lately due to the caffiene I'm taking to try to stay awake and alert!
Hi Ellie; we all Understand how you "want an answer/diagnosis"...this in itself is why we do get Depressed.....I know that is why I became a different person for awhile....thinking things like "am I depressed?" "what's wrong with me?" all of the usual thoughts that keep bouncing around in our heads....and of course all of the different Testing, and nothing coming back....the Rollercoaster is a nightmare....and yes, the Frustration is enough to make us Cry....I know I've certainly been there, but it's not until you find a forum like this, that has Symptom Checkers, that you start to see "some light/answers" and get the Fight back to go and present yourself to an Intelligent Doctor (my Rhuematologist....who I had known/worked with and who knew the person I had been before)...that we get the recognition....and I know that you will too...talk when you get back from today's appointment......Bron
