General Update, thoughts, ideas...

[Jj85]

Hey guys,

It's been awhile since I posted. This is mainly because after going on adderall in December, I was steadily improving. A few weeks ago, I actually started to think I was totally cured. I'd given up aspartame and was able to handle fully intense workouts without any malaise for the first time in over a year. Needless to say I was pretty excited; I thought all my problems were really just an allergy.

Anyway, it looks like that's not the case, as I've been feeling it lately. Not bad, but bad enough to impact my studies since I'm at school. So, it looks like I'm back to thinking that this is stress-induced, and I'm buying into Gupta again. I don't think it's a coincidence that finals are coming up at school, and that there are other issues in my life that are sort of coming to a head right now...

You all don't need to go into specifics (because I'm not going to either... a little too personal), but I'd like some feedback: how many of you were or are dealing with other issues (the type that would require therapy) that weigh on you pretty much every day? (I know "core" issues have been mentioned on here before). I can't help but think that maybe the things that get us down, depress us, and generally make us worry--if they loom large enough and are constant enough--eventually crack us. I've basically been carrying around this one issue my whole life and have only recently started getting help for it.

Maybe I just have this baseline worry level, so that any other stressor (school, exercise, etc etc) puts me over the top and causes a relapse. At least that's how it seems. Obviously there would have to be other underlying conditions or genes or something, as not everyone who's constantly stressed gets CFS, but this seems to make sense to me. My symptoms are worse when I'm worrying more, and when I meditate and generally try to use Gupta techniques I feel better.

Any feedback appreciated. Have a good night everyone.

[kenvj]

Seems to me that you answered your own question.

[Jj85]

Well, it's one thing for me to have my own hypothesis. Sure, I could be right, and it's the best answer I've got as of now. But, like everyone else on here, I'm more apt to believe something if it's backed up by other people's experiences (not that I think everyone's CFS is caused by the same thing--in fact it seems highly likely that we all just have common symptoms, with different potential causes).

[caro16]

All of us have to be aware (both day-by-day and within a day) how our stress levels are. Can someone please invent a stress level meter that goes from Red to Green like traffic lights. Amber is 'go easy on yourself' !!

So Jj85 if your exams are looming, go easy on the workouts, or cut them out altogether and be kind to yourself.

Some of us have not been well served by family or 'friends' over the CFS issue. Instead of saying how well we are doing and supporting us, they prefer criticism. If you are one of these folks, be even kinder to yourself and know it's borne from others' shortcomings - they are not perfect.