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CFS in teenager, can anyone with experience suggest a routine?

183 replies

overthemill · 16/12/2013 09:46

Dd 14 recently diagnosed with CFS and waiting to see specialist cfs paediatrician out of our area as there is no one in our area. We know from reading that she needs a routine. She is really severely affected at present and is almost bed bound though by using bottom to come down and hands and knees to get up she is managing to come downstairs each day. But what routine should she have? I try to get her up around 10 but it takes about an hour ( more on days when I insist she showers) to get her out of bed and dressed. Most days I have to dress he and clean her teeth. She gets down, eats breakfast and stays on sofa until bed at 8. I try to encourage and stimulate her but it is very hard. Mainly we watch tv and chat a bit. Tbh she doesn't watch tv it's background for her. She can't bear bright lights or noise so lots of day we sit with curtains closed. She can't read or concentrate and a conversation is hard as she forgets words. Last week I got her outside (about 15 steps for me) to see her rabbit. Eating is hard as she struggles with smells and tastes and has to est same plain food every day. No variety at all. She tolerates eating but wouldn't do so unless I basically forced her! When she gets up to go to loo I have to help her up and provide balance for her as she is so dizzy and she faints frequently. I am scared to leave her alone. I get up to her several times in night and during evening when she is in bed.

So, what an earth can I have as a routine? What should she be doing? Today a maths tutor from medical needs team is coming but she expects to come say hello DNS leave. They font think she's well enough for tutoring. After Xmas we are hoping for a physio to assess her and an ot who can suggest ways she can be more independent as she hates me having yo provide intimate care for her.

Any ideas from you people with CFS experience? Am happyish to wait for specialist input but feel I may be making her worse!

OP posts:
chocaholic73 · 07/03/2014 20:26

Great news ... you have done brilliantly to get this sorted. Bureacracy can be crazy sometimes ... really hope the appointment goes well

HuiledOlive · 07/03/2014 20:56

That's great news. Well done you for pushing for that.
Hope its helpful for your dd

CFSKate · 07/03/2014 21:09

I posted about the Bristol event last month, there are three videos from that event here. I haven't watched them yet myself.

Topseyandturvey · 14/03/2014 20:29

any update op? have you seen the cfs specialist?

overthemill · 15/03/2014 16:15

topsy cfs specialist doctor came on Thursday and he was completely and utterly wonderful!

Basically confirmed the diagnosis, said she is on the severe end of the severe spectrum and that all focus at present would be on enabling her to do day to day activities, so cleaning own teeth, getting herself to loo. Asked her what she'd like to be able to do and she answered 'wash my hair'. So that's what we are working up to.

No exercise no pushing no schooling no travelling to doctors or hospitals. He will write to everyone saying home visits essential and he will write to school too to get them to lay off.

Need OT assessment to do aids and adaptations - need stairlift and wheelchair. Stuff for bathroom/loo.

She probably has PoTS but the treatment is mainly diet and he doesn't want to put her through tests while she's so ill.

He will continue to do home visits and HE will chase funding. He advises DLA and blue badge. He was very kind to dd and told us to tell her he had a former patient who was now at medical school. (Her ambition)

Tube feeding: he thinks it's not yet medically indicated but will talk to dietician as he thinks it may be useful to reduce exhaustion (she is too tired to chew/swallow) and to remove pressure and stress for us all.

It was such an emotional day - someone believes me about how ill my dd is and will HELP me to look after her. I can't describe how good that feels

OP posts:
CFSKate · 15/03/2014 16:23

I'm glad it has gone well, you must feel very relieved.

chocaholic73 · 16/03/2014 15:19

Really great to hear. Hopefully things will be easier for you now you have good medical support. Hope this will also help with the members of your family who have been so sceptical about your DDs illness.

newestbridearound · 03/06/2014 13:49

Hi over, I know it's been a couple of months and I don't know if you still check here but I'm just wondering how your DD is doing now? I hope things have improved x

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