Chronic Fatigue Advice

[icepole]

I have been ill since October. Dr said first it was post viral fatigue but now is saying chronic fatigue. I am tired although it is not my main symptom. I have pain in what feels like my glands and I feel nausea if I try to do anything physical.

I feel a bit list. Work are hacked off with me. I get the impression that no one believes I am ill. I teach in a secondary school, difficult pupils, no way I would cope feeling the way I do right now and they won't support any kind of phased return.

My mother had this and was ill for years and I am afraid. I used to be very active. Now I feel ill after tiny things. I need to get back to my work but I can't see how. I am planning on leaving there soon but I don't want to end it like this. I need to go and tidy things up, sort my classes etc. I am terrified that I won't feel better after christmas, I can't see any reason why I would if I haven't so far although I just started some acupuncture so maybe that will help. Work is very stressful, I am equally terrified of going back and ending up to ill to take care of my kids or of doing permanent damage somehow.

Anyone else had this or know about it? I feel a bit lost.

I am so sorry this is happening to you. I have fibromyalgia following viral illness. It is a scary thing to have as there is no defined end point or any set way to get better.

I really think it would set you back, perhaps for a long time, if you were to return to work while still feeling so unwell but that is something only you can decide whether you can afford.

I no longer work as a chemo nurse (more due to almost daily chronic migraine) and it is such a relief to be able to be there for family and not expend energy on other people, much as I loved my job. Don't feel you should sacrifice your health for work colleagues. The things that need to get done will get done whether you are there or not.

If I wake up sore and tired, like today, I can do nothing. I am very lucky to be able to do what I need guilt free - I've spent the day either on the sofa or asleep. Yesterday when I had more energy I pottered round the house and spent time with my son and neice.

My world has shrunk considerably over the last 3 yrs but I've found a level of acceptance and balance in which I am happy. I did grieve for the life I have lost and still get pissed off at times about things I can't do at times though.

I'm sorry I've not really got any practical advice except don't push it if you are not feeling well. You'll just increase the chance of crashing spectacularly

Come join us

There are a few of us with it

My daughter has CFS and has been helped by CBT , perhaps you could get a referral for that . Good luck ,its an awful illness to have.

Sorry that was a bit abrupt. Can't really think of any more advice right now - had my first full day for a while today after loads of time off/reduced hours, am feeling achy and brainfoggy!

Do you have a CFS clinic near you? I was referred to the Dorset one, and having a formal diagnosis from a consultant helped when I was teaching (there does seem to be an abnormal percentage of teachers with it...)

I certainly couldn't manage teaching with it and turned from someone who used to be very active in a walking group to almost housebound and I certainly grieve for the time/career/life I lost.

I did find the programme at the CFS clinic quite helpful though in managing the illness. I'm a lot better now but I rest more and do an awful lot less.

Good luck. Its such a horrid horrid illness to have. Its so debilitating yet people can't see anything "wrong".

I was considering being a teacher - plan was to finish my degree (which I have now quit) and then do primary PGCE or a librarian chartership. It seems like an impossibility now.

I am under the CFS clinic at St Barts, got my dx last month although it will not be totally official until I've had some repeat blood tests.

My dr's advice was leave work. He's right in a way, I am miserable there and it is very stressful. I will be relocation soon so I will get out of there. I am just wondering if I can get through the last few months there, I want to be able to get a reference if I need it.

I wouldn't recommend teaching as a career to anyone, especially not these days. I am pretty sure it has triggered all this.

I had it following glandular fever. I'm fully recovered now. My advice at the moment would be to rest and stop stressing. Easier said than done though I know.

How long did it take you to recover?

Do you have a union and how long do you get paid off work? You need to rest, it's really important to your long term recovery. Push yourself now and you could regret it. Speak to the union. They should be fighting your corner.
Have they tested your b12 (over 500), tsh (under 2) , t4 (high in range), ferritin (ideally over 90) and vit d (over 90)? It's really important to take charge of your medical tests and keep copies of results to make sure nothing is being missed. Then get a referral to a cf clinic - don't be fobbed off.

Do you have a union and how long do you get paid off work? You need to rest, it's really important to your long term recovery. Push yourself now and you could regret it. Speak to the union. They should be fighting your corner.
Have they tested your b12 (over 500), tsh (under 2) , t4 (high in range), ferritin (ideally over 90) and vit d (over 90)? It's really important to take charge of your medical tests and keep copies of results to make sure nothing is being missed. Then get a referral to a cf clinic - don't be fobbed off.