Humans of ME/CFS
I became ill with ME/CFS after an acute, viral, flu-like illness seven years ago. I was 56 years old and had a responsible position in the federal government. With accommodations from my employer, I was able to work for 2 1/2 more years until I was eligible to retire. But—I had to stop traveling, eliminate public speaking, work from home frequently and reduce my workload in order to remain employed. In the four years since my retirement, my health has gotten worse. My Post-Exertional Fatigue puts severe limits on my physical and cognitive activities. I did not expect to spend my 60s lying on the couch. My friends are fully engaged in active lives while I am on the sidelines feeling sick most of the time with swollen glands, headache, sore throat—it’s like having the flu 24/7.
I want some effective treatments in my lifetime.