Hi, can anyone give me advice on chronic fatigue syndrome?

[davidlee]

Had the illness for 10years and am only 36, it has changed my life dramatically! Unable to work, socialize, pursue a relationship amongst other things! Tried every health product, read lots of books, tried so many different things to get well! I do know alot about cfs and attend a support group monthly. I am at the stage again where I am fed up! Changed diet & exercise, nothing is working, pace myself. Know heaps about the condition but I seem to be deterioating and if worse comes to worse will have to enter a nursing home and give up my independance which is the last thing I want. Hopefully someone out there can help me somehow as Ive tried doctors, alternative medicines, vitamins, yoga, diet, lifestyle! You name it, lve tried it and am sick to death of wasting my time when there is no improvement. Counselling is good for some but as soon as the london scientist come up with a blood test to diaganose it and medication to treat it - I just have to hang in there, like everyone else!!

[Vicky Agramonte]

Hi Davidlee,

Thanks for your inquiry. After suffering from this illness for 10 years, you probably know more about the disease than most health care professionals, but I would be happy to share with you what I know about this complex illness and direct you to credible resources that can further your pursuit to a improved quality of life.

Since the etiology of CFS is unknown, and mimics several other diseases the first stage (which I am certain you have already experienced) is to rule out other diseases that may be present. Secondly, I am certain that finding a health provider that has experience caring for this disease has been a challenge, but I will direct you to the recent studies that have been done under the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta that may yield other contacts for you.

The CDC reports that they joined the public awareness campaign to promote effective care management of the disease along with the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome Association of America - http://www.cfids.org and have developed a toolkit to assist patients and health care workers to adhere to best practices related to this complex condition. You can find the tool kit on the CDC website at: http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/toolkit.htm

The CDC also lists the name and contact information at the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia where recent research has been conducted. http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/cfsresearchgroup.htm

Best of luck to you David, please let us know how you are doing from time to time! :)

Sincerely,





Had the illness for 10years and am only 36, it has changed my life dramatically! Unable to work, socialize, pursue a relationship amongst other things! Tried every health product, read lots of books, tried so many different things to get well! I do know alot about cfs and attend a support group monthly. I am at the stage again where I am fed up! Changed diet & exercise, nothing is working, pace myself. Know heaps about the condition but I seem to be deterioating and if worse comes to worse will have to enter a nursing home and give up my independance which is the last thing I want. Hopefully someone out there can help me somehow as Ive tried doctors, alternative medicines, vitamins, yoga, diet, lifestyle! You name it, lve tried it and am sick to death of wasting my time when there is no improvement. Counselling is good for some but as soon as the london scientist come up with a blood test to diaganose it and medication to treat it - I just have to hang in there, like everyone else!!

[davidlee]

Hi Davidlee,

Thanks for your inquiry. After suffering from this illness for 10 years, you probably know more about the disease than most health care professionals, but I would be happy to share with you what I know about this complex illness and direct you to credible resources that can further your pursuit to a improved quality of life.

Since the etiology of CFS is unknown, and mimics several other diseases the first stage (which I am certain you have already experienced) is to rule out other diseases that may be present. Secondly, I am certain that finding a health provider that has experience caring for this disease has been a challenge, but I will direct you to the recent studies that have been done under the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta that may yield other contacts for you.

The CDC reports that they joined the public awareness campaign to promote effective care management of the disease along with the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome Association of America - http://www.cfids.org and have developed a toolkit to assist patients and health care workers to adhere to best practices related to this complex condition. You can find the tool kit on the CDC website at: http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/toolkit.htm

The CDC also lists the name and contact information at the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia where recent research has been conducted. http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/cfsresearchgroup.htm

Best of luck to you David, please let us know how you are doing from time to time! :)

Sincerely,
That's a great response as it was coming from someone who understands due to the fact that they have the same illness as me. It showed empathy which is important. It made me realise that there are people out there that care which makes me feel less isolated or alone. This is a great service which helps.

[davidlee]

My best friend has chronic fatigue syndrome, I was just wondering if there is anything I can do to help him, other than just be a good friend?

[davidlee]

oops why no replies.

[Vicky Agramonte]

Hi David,

Sorry for the delayed response....

I'm am sooo sorry if my initial response was misleading... I don't suffer from this horrible disease, but have cared for many patients that have....

It's good to see that practioners are diagnosing this disease. Although there is little by the way of treatment, it may be a comfort to know what exactly the problem is...we can only hope for treatment down the road.

As for your friend, being a good friend is wonderful and very important. Referring him to the websites that I posted earlier in our discussion would also be helpful. Again, take note of the CDC site that has contact information in Atlanta with a group that has been actively engaged in current research. Speaking with them may be a good start to obtain information.

Hope this helps, I'll be away at a conference most of next week, so I look forward to speaking with you soon!




My best friend has chronic fatigue syndrome, I was just wondering if there is anything I can do to help him, other than just be a good friend?

[davidlee]

Thanks for your replies.

[healthcare]

thank you Vicky for the reply and sharing your ideas and research with us about chronic fatigue syndrome.