Diagnosis: CFS

[dmarley]

I have been to the rheumatologist, and the verdict is 99.99% officially Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. No one was really surprised. They have to test me for stuff they're pretty sure I don't have, just to make sure I don't have it (TB, HIV, Hep B). In the absence of any other indications of disease, deficiency, or imbalance, though, and with me having

Comments

[slb44]

Best of luck with the exercise program. It definitely sounds like slow and steady is the way to go.

[dmarley]

Absolutely. I did my five minutes yesterday, and today I am a useless noodle of uselessness. The advice of the exercise therapy sites is to cut back until you can do the exercise without feeling rotten the next day, so I think maybe I'll start over with one minute next time. :)

[slb44]

Well I guess it's best to find out early what the limits are rather then the alternative.

{{{hugs}}}

[tingler]

That sounds like a very delicate balancing act!

At least they are taking you seriously and not acting like you are faking or hysterical.

I'm sending positive thoughts your way!

[dmarley]

After all the horror stories one hears about doctors dismissing the concerns of patients, I grow more and more grateful for the doctors I've had. My current PCP first mentioned CFS because he said the way I described my tiredness reminded him of how other CFS patients talked about how they managed their fatigue. So not only did he take the time to talk to me, he apparently pays attention when other patients talk to him and he links up the things they say. So radical!

I did my first five minutes yesterday, thought I hadn't pushed it, and realized pretty soon that my definition of "pushing it" was going to have to go to a whole new level... I've been completely useless since yesterday, and I doubt I'll be able to even walk down to the pool for another day or two. My master plan, therefore, is to cut my five minutes down to one as soon as I can get back to the pool and work up from *there.* Or down, as need be. :)