John Falk, March 1, 2011:
Psychotherapy Eases Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Study Finds," read the headline in the February 17, 2011 edition of The New York Times. Within a few days Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) ranked third on Yahoo's 'Trending Now' list. For the misinformed reader it's likely these headlines translated that CFS is all in your head.
Until now, I've told no one except a small inner-circle of family that my mysterious breakdown in health, vitality, and cognition that started the night of May 5, 2007 was not due to an exotic virus I picked up in the Congo while on assignment for National Geographic.
The truth? I'm actually a textbook case of someone with CFS, a syndrome I sniffed at until it happened to me. For the sufferer CFS means a total health breakdown, like a plane that inexplicably begins tearing itself apart mid-flight.
Together, all the various dysfunctions associated with it leave the patient in a state of health more debilitating than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, or multiple sclerosis.
There is no known cause for CFS, and most terrifying from where I sit, no cure.
I've now decided to come out of the closest -- so to speak -- because ... Read more>>
2 comments:
Really sorry to hear about your illness. My daughter had M.E for 5 years recovered then had a hep b jab. Within a week of having the jab as a medical student she became ill again and worse than she ever was. She has now taken time out of her studies.
To go to the Congo I would imagine you had vaccinations could this be the cause? M.E specialists believe that vaccinations, especially,hep b can cause or worsen M.E. It's worth a thought. Don't give up hope lots of people do get better.
Good for you for coming 'out of the closet'!! I know how hard it is to tell people you have M.E. - people just don't get it - or worse, they think they do and don't!
But you're right, unless genuinely sick people come out of hiding and say actually, I'm this sick with that disease, no-one's ever going to learn the truth.
I think you're really brave! I hope you find some acceptance and understanding from people. *gentle hugs*
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