Question about post viral fatigue...

[AnnaK]

My husband has been diagnosed with PVF and is getting depressed because he can't seem to regain his strength, despite sensible eating, plenty of sleep, a Guinness in the evening and Pharmaton vitamins. Any advice... This has been going on for about 4 months now.

One thing that can help is to follow the 75% rule, which is never to do as much as you think you can do, but only 75% of what you think you can do. Stop before you get tired. It may of course mean that you can do very little, but it does help, slowly. Counselling also helps, especially something like NLP, as it helps you to come to terms with the condition and not feel a failure. Positive mental attitude plays a big part in recovering from PVF/ME.

HTH, and I'm sure others will have more suggestions.

I had ME several years ago and was very lucky to be referred to an excellent specialist. He put me on a very strict activity regime much like prettycandles describes. At first I wasn't allowed to do anything at all except listen to audio books or music (not even allowed tv or reading). The idea was to allow my brain to start to heal itself by only using one sense at a time. (ME and PVF is thought to be caused by the immune system attacking parts of the brain) This and serious medication had me cured and back at work full time within a year.

Initially the hardest bit was reconciling myself to the fact that it was going to take a long time to get better. A year was very good going - it often takes much longer. Once I had accepted it and was able to concentrate fully on getting better and doing as I was told, it all became a lot easier.

hth

Tigs

Wow! Try telling a bloke not to watch tv! Thanks for the info, I'll put the 75% rule to him and see. This is obviously going to take a while, then.