My problems began with what was finally diagnosed as IBS. This started around 1992 when I was 27. I'm not sure if it was the result of the impact of the IBS (D), but around 30 I noticed that I was very tired a lot of the time. This was never an issue with me as I had always played sports and worked out etc.
I visited every doctor and specialist you can name without any real diagnosis, so finally my GP started calling it CFS. As an avid hockey player I struggled with a lack of strength and energy. I lived on Imodium to get through each work day. I felt a numbness/tired feeling (like the mask of a racoon) around my eyes. I had dizzy spells and balance issues. Inner ear problems were supected, but negative results after checked by a specialist.
My life changing event occurred this past January. I did Dr. Alejandro Jungers 21 day cleanse to lose some weight and got more than I anticipated out of it. I started out at 193 lbs, and finished at 182 lbs. A week or so into it I was falling to sleep in minutes, and waking refreshed, I had got up feeling anything but lousy for 15 years. My blood pressure was 130/90, went down to 115/79 in two weeks. Black lines under my nails that my doctor could not do anything about, mostly disappeared. Black rings under eyes are reduced. My mother commented on the whites of my eyes looking less bloodshot. No Imodium or emergency bathroom breaks required. Had to nap after little phyical exertion, can go for hours doing projects around the house and cottage. Also had daily stomach/intestinal pains, all gone now. The list of improvements to my health and quality of life in general is long.
I believe the statement you are what you eat is more relevant today than ever. Too much processing and use of antibiotics make choosing meals a challenge. I suggest that anyone having CFS, IBS or any ailment give a clean diet a try, you have nothing to lose, and may get your life back.