An Anonymous ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia Sufferer's Story, UK

I would describe living with ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia like being locked up...

You don't know how long the sentence is.

And you don't know when some one will come and let you free.

I've had ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia for less that 3 years. It all started with a flu type virus. No one else in the family got it.

A week later, I went back to work but I had to have another week off because I didn't feel well. I returned to work again, but I was still feeling unwell. I kept pushing myself at work, and I rested as much as possible I when I was at home, falling into bed as soon as I got in.

This went on for a year. I gradually became depressed from feeling so fatigued all the time. I was eventually persuaded to see a doctor but by that time my emotions were totally out of control and I simply could not cope with the simplest of things.

My doctor did blood tests and found nothing wrong, which made me feel worse. I hate wasting doctors' time. I was eventually diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

I'm trying to accept my doctor's diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia but it's difficult. I am trying to pace myself too. I have tried antidepressants, which helped with the depression side of it, but not the fatigue, the muscle and joint pain, the tender glands and the recurrent sore throat.

I think that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia is one of the most difficult long term illnesses to live with. I know that there are people out there, who have had it for decades and my heart goes out to them. At one time I would have been one of the people on the outside, trying to understand how they feel.

Now I know.

Thank you, for sharing your story with us.

Back to top