Tired of being tired

Hi Elise and welcome to HealingWell. I'm so sorry you have to deal with all of this at such a young age. It must be really hard not to be able to do the normal teenage kinds of things. My illnesses all started when I got mono when I was 18. I was a senior in high school and was really never the same after that, but at least I was healthy most of my teenage years.

It is really hard for other people to understand just how bad cfs is and how much people suffer from it. I'm giving you a link to a page on a website called butyoudontlooksick.com. There is a thing called the Spoon Theory and it is a great way to describe to family and friends what it is like to deal with chronic illness everyday. It is written by a woman who has lupus, but it can apply to any chronic illness. I printed out several copies of it and gave it to my family and close friends. Here's the link (I couldn't figure out how to make it clickable, so you'll have to copy and paste it):

http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/2006/02/the_spoon_theory.php#more

Please try not to be too hard on yourself, but I know it's easier said than done. I'm hard on myself too and feel like I am letting my kids, family, and friends down.

I'm glad you joined. Hang in there and feel free to ask any questions or just vent if you are having a bad day. We are here to listen and we do understand what it is like to live with cfs.

Take care

---

Diagnosis:  Suspected Lupus 2004; Raynauds 2006; Sjogren's 2006; CFS 1991; Mono 1985

Meds:  Plaquenil 400mg; Tramadol 100mg 3-4x daily; Amitriptyline 10mg; Neurontin 200mg; Steriod Cream and Mouth Rinse for tongue and mouth ulcers; Hydrocodone 5/500 prn for severe pain

Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating: https://www.healingwell.com/donate/

Don't know if this will help or not, but feel free to read my blog

www.myspace.com/fallenangel311

The blog titled "Please read!!! (Understanding...)"

You're not alone, and it is quite frustrating. I've had CFS since I was 14 or 15 years old, but didn't get diagnosed until this past February. Take comfort in knowing you KNOW what's wrong... and learn how to live your life again. No matter what, keep your chin up. No matter how dark the skies are, or how many clouds there are,... the sun is still shining. The more aggravated you get with what you can't do, the more you're missing out on what you CAN do.

Hope that helped ;) And if you need anything, feel free to email me or something ;)

---

Hugs,

Nikki

I have chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety (at this current moment), and some minor abdominal pain which still hasn't been figured out yet... need a break from all the testing ;)

Medications:

CFS: Provigil 200mg, once a day
Anxiety: Lorazepam .5 or 1mg 3xs a day or as needed

Hello. An old lady grandma here but unfortunately I developed CFS when I was 20 and pregnant with my first child.
It has never disappeared completely but I can go for a year or more sometimes leading a fairly normal life.
I have found that North American or Siberian Ginseng give me a bit more energy when I am at the bottom of the pile. Chinese ginseng is not as good at it.
Learn to pace your life. If you have exams plan on doing nothing too strenuous while you are studying for that dreaded week.
Always get out and get some fresh air each day. Even if it is just taking a lawn chair out and sitting outside for a bit. Or walking to the end of the driveway or around the block.
Fresh air is wonderful. My grandmother used to tell me to get outside and blow the stink away well I don't know about the stink but it sure does help blow the cobwebs out of the brain.
I know it is a hard thing to accept but once you do accept you are sick, you will start to feel better about yourself. You will be able to say no to things since you will know that you will crash if you don't.
pamper yourself as much as you can and when you can't pace yourself.
Don't dump on yourself as others will do that very well for you so you don't have to.
When you get down in the dumps figure out something that you really want to do and do it. Don't care about the consequences. If you crash then you will have the good feeling of having done something you wanted or have accomplished.
Live life to the fullest you can make it.
Grandma advise there. as well as friendly advice from one who has been there and still is.

---

It is the Gateway to freedom. Do you not see it? All you have to do is believe then open it... else there is nothing but a wall blocking your escape!

I feel bad for you...but hey, Im only 14 and I got have what you have...accompanied by light headedness. If just the light headedness was gone I would be fine, but nooooo...