Humans of ME/CFS
In August, 2012, my husband and I moved to San Diego, CA, anticipating a new chapter in our lives After raising four awesome children and building our successful careers, we were looking forward to reconnecting with “us”; traveling, hiking, and bicycling, as we continued working towards our retirement.
I received a flu shot on Jan. 30, 2013, just days after my 52nd birthday. I immediately became ill and was stricken with flu-like symptoms and muscular pain throughout my body. Vertigo, disorientation, migraines, sensitivity to sounds, touch, and light and overwhelming crippling fatigue set in. By May 2013, I was unable to walk unassisted.
I was fortunate to have found a great group of doctors that took immediate action and ran a battery of tests ruling out one disease after another. With each and every test result, I was relieved to find out I did not have “that” dreaded disease, but bewildered to find no answers to what was happening to me and my body.
Finally, I was told the dreaded words, “You have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.” The past three years have been filled with trying everything my doctors have prescribed and suggested. I am constantly researching, looking for anything that will help me to help me find a path to recovery.
I have good days, bad days, and terrible days. I measure any activity I do with how it will cost my body today, tomorrow, or for the next week. I am unable to work since I cannot depend on myself or anyone else.
CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia have robbed me of the life I had so carefully planned and worked so hard for. Any exertion is measured and weighed to see if it is necessary, but I do constantly work to find balance in my new world. My life is difficult, but I am so fortunate to have a loving and supporting husband and family.