New here: The world has passed me by! Does anyone else feel this way?

Hi to everyone else in CFS La-La-Land. This is all new to me, after more than a dozen years away from business, computers, the Internet etc. Everything's changed dramatically. The world has passed me by! Does anyone else feel this way?

I've got CFS/Fybromyalgia and most other symptoms mentioned by other CFS members. It's been a long journey...isolation, suffering, loss of friends, etc. I feel like I've just returned from another planet...only to find that there are thousands of others' like me...out there! 

It's very enlightening reading about other people's stories...and the great healing tips that are offered. I had managed to get so many of my symptoms under control (meaning I felt better) until about six months ago. But a major move a year ago – possibly some chemical allergies - and letting my dietary-guard down has (just recently) put me back to where I was about a decade back.

I know what it took to make me feel better. So, I'm just starting to apply these things again - and anything else I can learn here, and elsewhere - to get back to feeling more functional...better. I once read, (something like) "an extreme disease requires an extreme remedy." So, being an optimist...I'm more than ready for the "remedy." Whatever "that" is. And whatever it takes!

I'm trying to make this as short as possible. But the first time I ever overcame one (agonising) symptom (about 1999) for the first time I felt like I was in control of my body...instead of the other way around. That encouraged me to try other things...that worked. I'm trying to keep my focus on a positive outcome...sooner rather than later! Because, as anyone suffering with CFS knows...fear sets in. It's times like this that I have to use self-talk. And tell myself..."you can do it!" And then go watch a good 'belly-laugh' comedy. That always helps.

I'm looking forward to feedback from other CFS warriors. Or if you just want to say Hi. Thanks...NewSky

 

Hi everyone. I've been living with chronic fatigue since 1991 when I had to leave my job. I'm in my 70s now and still struggle at times to keep my morale up. People get tired of tired people; even close relatives, and think I don't try hard enough. I've found though, that I have to listen to my body. I'll push a bit but if I do too much I relapse and can't do much of anything.

I do manage to keep my house reasonably clean but my standards are much lower than they used to be. Social outings and shopping are really tiring and I do better puttering around the house with lots of rests in between. My driving has been really limited and I won't drive in traffic when I'm really tired. It will be interesting to read how other people manage this illness.

I don't know if I've done any healing over the years or just learned to go with the flow! Also, old age is tiring in itself so it's hard to know now whether it's chronic fatigue or old age. It's probably a combination of the 2. Could be arthritis or fibromyalgia - who knows? The doc says it's arthritis and he just treats each symptom, which is about all he can do.