Karyn's Story, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Sufferer, UK

Living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is like having a large part of your life and happiness being taken away from you. You can't do the things you used to. You feel like no-one understands. You feel like you want to get away from it all.

You feel trapped, like the whole world is passing you by, and you aren't part of it.

You want to live the life you used to have, but the pain (emotional and physical), the weakness, and the lack of motivation means you can't. You almost feel alone with your condition, like no-one else can share the way you feel, or understand. You feel stranded.

I contracted Glandular Fever almost 3 years ago. But whilst recovering from the Episten-Barr virus (which has been said to be linked to the contraction of ME), I didn't get enough rest (I didn't want to miss anymore school than I had to as I was about to sit my GCSEs.)

However, in the long run this back-fired. I had several relapses of Glandular Fever in the following years, which drove me to taking even more time off school. Then, at the beginning of this year, my symptoms of tiredness, weakness, difficulty in sleeping, unrefreshing sleep (even after long periods of rest), exhaustion after very little exertion, joint and muscular pain and feelings of depression and worthlessness; worsened to the degree that I had to see a specialist.

He confirmed my own GP's suspicions of my having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I was diagnosed in May this year, and although I am finding it hard to cope with, it is comforting to know that I wasn't just being 'tired', or 'lazy' (as many sceptics would claim) and that my debilitating condition is now getting the recognition it deserves.

My life has never been the same since I contracted Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I am slower and less able, and being only 18 years old, this is very hard to accept. I find myself pushing to keep up with my peers but I only suffer for this after.

If I had known how crippling this illness is, I would have taken my recovery from Glandular Fever much more seriously.

Thank you Karyn, for sharing your story with us.

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