Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Community

Hi MSandyd and welcome!

While you're waiting for responses, click here to read a similar discussion .

And you also may want to post this on our Fibromyalgia Exchange .

Yup...that's about right....I was on Lyrica for a while, and I started doing modeling jobs for the Goodyear Blimp...got off of it, and things have come back down to more normal levels now...it works really good, but most can do without that particular side-effect.

Jim

BTW Sandy, I got a big honkin' amount of relief from the major ouchies from my Chiropractor....and I never believed in Chiros before, but mine has really helped a lot with the pain levels...that and I do very long, hot soaks in the tub...no scrubbing, just you and the hot water...bring a book, a radio, something to sip, maybe some cut up veggies and something to dip them in, little aroma therapy....it can be a beautiful thing...best right before bedtime...usually by morning, I'm almost human again.

Good Luck (and no loosing weight isn't hopeless....I dropped almost 125 lbs when I was first diagnosed with diabetes related to my weight, and it's stayed off...had a little add on when I was on the Lyrica, but now that's gone too).

Hang in there, we're all pulling for you.

Jim

MSandyd,

Sounds as tho you and I have some things in common. I also have chronic fatigue and BiPolar II Disorder. The BiPolar II was a very good boot camp for the chronic fatigue. I think I would be having a much harder time with it had I not suffered all those years with deep depression, and learned certain coping skills. However, the CFIDS is no picnic, as you know.

I noticed in another of your posts that you are a Christian.
I am, too, and sometimes that is quite challenging. So far, I have managed not to rage at God, but I still don't understand why I have to go through these nasty illnesses which totally turn my life upside-down, when others get by unscathed. My religion teaches that we don't deserve anything but death and Hell, and everything else comes on account of God's grace, yet there is still a sense that I deserve to be healthy.

I used to be active in church but now I rarely make it there. It seems I only have enough energy for myself many days.
I guess it is a matter of trusting God's ways, and trying to follow His will, tho our actions often be feeble.

And you thought you were a writer!

Beth

Oh man. I just wrote a long reply and it got lost. Thanks for all your replies. I will write this again later. I am right now being tested for either hypoglycemia or diabetes. I will let you know. Keep in touch.
Sandy

Looking forward to your updates, Sandy.

I 'let' myself gain 30 pounds before weaning off the Lyrica. I gain weight easily, and I can say it's been a year and I'm back down to my pre-weight.

I sure felt better taking it, but the weight was getting me down more in my back and legs. It took a while for my body to adjust to not taking it.

Don't give up... try watching your carbs, anything white... sugar, flour and potatoes. Hope this helped ya!

Huggs,

Kim Oh BTW, nice to meet ya!

Oh yeah, one more thing... I read in one of WebMD's newletters about napping. They said it was okay to nap for 30 mins., any longer and it may go into REM stage. If that happens it messes with your night time sleep schedule. I try to never take a nap.. I just rest for a little and then push back thru. If I take a nap, I can't sleep at all during the night.

Huggs,

Kim

I, too, have repeatedly ask my Father in heaven why I have had illnesses all my life. The inherited gene defect for the depression is what I call a curse of the generations, and I always ask Him to let it stop with me and not pass on to my son or grandchildren. I can deal with it, but it has destroyed my credibilty in the eyes of my family.
Plus, with the fibro and the CFS, they don't really take me seriouly when I am hurting or just can't go on. So, I have learned that I have to take care of myself in resting when I need to, and not trying to explain it to others.
I don't go to church much now. I have gained all this weight and don't have enough nice things to wear out. I am hoping to lose, so I don't buy lots more clothes. But on Sunday, I listen to the late Adrian Rogers and Charles Stanley and others on tv. I take lots of notes, and I write about Christian growth and other things in blogs.

The computer helps me so much because I can get with people like you and find I am not alone in my suffering. I don't know why we have to suffer. But I do know God gives me peace and joy in spite of it. I spend time with Him at the first of each day.

I have probably grown more as a Christian and in compassion because I have suffered so much. I now understand why my parents were so dysfunctional. They both had this gene defect.

I don't dwell on how I feel very much. When I need to, I go to my room and rest. I had to learn that others will never understand unless they experience what we have. So, I don't try to explain anymore. I just take care of my needs

It is a lonely life I live, but it is fine as long as I know my Father in heaven is constantly with me.
Sandy

I cannot lose weight easily. My thyroid died when I was 20 years old. Then I had two surgeries for endometrosis. Now I take estrogen. I also have pernicious anemia and give myself B12 shots. Plus, my psych meds help me gain weight. I would lose more if I would exercise. But that is hard for me. Howeve, I am determined to do it, even if it is only a few minutes at a time.
andy

Sandy,

I suppose that defective genes are a bit of a curse. I don't have any children and never wanted any to suffer the way I have, tho that might sound melodramatic. It made me sad to hear you say,"I can deal with it, but it has destroyed my credibilty in the eyes of my family." I suppose b/c I can relate to that. I know how sick I am, but I live in a Type A family and they are always running around, hiking mountains and such. I'm happy if I can walk 3/4 mile.

I am very thankful for being a Christian. At the least, I know this suffering will cease and I will live forever with God and my fellow Christians. At the most, I know that God works in and through me everyday, and if He chooses not to heal me, it is for a very good reason.

If I had not had over 25 years of depression, I would be a very hard-nosed human being, as I am not gifted with empathy to the same degree as many others. But illness changes your perspective on yourself and others.

I wanted to send you this quote. It's from a book by Michele Akers, who was a female soccer phenom. She is also a Christian. She continued to play world-class soccer throughout her CFIDS. God only knows how. She talks about going into the locker room after a match and immediately being hooked up to an IV. It took her 8 years to beat CFIDS.

"Spiritually, I rekindled my relationship with Christ. This was a major step. In fact. I will say my faith was the beginning—and is the center—of my on-going recovery. It is how I deal with CFIDS on a day-to=day basis. I think everyone who is chronically ill has been forced to take a close look at a higher power. I learned I did not have the strength to carry on under my own power. I wondered, "What is all this for? Is there a purpose for this terrible illness and my humiliation and suffering?" I asked myself how I could possibly contribute to the world? God answered all those questions by providing the strength, courage, peace, and the people. He gave—and still gives—me everything I need to live and overcome in sickness or in health."
--Michele Akers

Take care!

Beth

Beth, how wonderful your reply is. I had helped me so much. I know you understand what I have said. My sister often asks me why we aren't just healed by the Father. I tell her what I have told you all, they He has taught me so very much in my illnesses that I would not have known if I had been well and hadn't had to depend on Him so much. I can thank Him for all of the times when He was the only One I had. He is the only One who understands.

Thank you and all the others who are so emphathetic to people like me. If we don't help each other, no one else will. It just takes people who have been there to understand.

I write almos daily in blogs on the internet. I am a retired teacher, and I guess I love to teach. Anyway, the Holy Spirit always gives me things in the morning to write about. I can only hope they help or bless other people.

I write about Christian growth at http://christianchatsandart3.spaces.live.com

And I write about current events and false teachings that affect Christians at http://onewhowrites-inmyopinion.blogspot.com/

And I wrote a book beginning this past January about The Simplicity of God's Plan. I coudn't afford to publish it, so I put it in a blog at: http://thesimplicityofgodsplan.blogspot.com/

If you read anything I have written, you will see why I say that I wouldn't give anything for what the Father has taught me all through my life of illness. I live with and for Him each day. As you said, we know that this life is temporary. And one day we will have new, glorified bodies that will never be sick. I can hold on with His strength until then. It is my daily strength and hope.

God bless you richly for your words.
MSandy

MSandy,

Thanks so much for your uplifting response. I will check out your websites. Since I don't get to church often I find it difficult to fuel my faith, so am looking forward to some spiritual sustenance.

Take care!

Beth

Beth, I watch the late Adrian Rogers and Charles Stanley on tv every Sunday. These programs come on the TBN network. I am not all that thrilled with TBN, but at least I get to hear good sermons. There are other good preachers on there on Sundays. I watch as many as I have time for. I take lots of notes, and I use some of them to write about.

We all need to keep our faith exercised daily. It is like a muscle, the more you use it the stronger it gets.

I begin each morning with the Father and in the Word. I hope you will read my writings. I also hope you will read the book I wrote. I have had many people write me and say it was just what they needed. I pray my writings will bless you.
Sandy