I don’t wish to dishearten you – in fact I’m cheering for you and crossing fingers and the rest, and I applaud the decision to put your health first, I’ve had to make that choice a few times myself – but I’ve also heard people with CFS have the best chance of recovering for good if it’s in the first: “one year” “two years” “eighteen months” “six months”. I’m not sure where the studies are that are producing so many numbers! It’s clear that the earlier you recover the better off you’ll be for the rest of your life. I wish you all the best!

I’ll hit three years myself this June. Despite that it’s only just now, after a LOT of pushing from myself, that doctors are investigating the possibility that I might have chronic Lyme Disease at all. The result is that my GP thinks it’s very likely and after researching it thinks it’s probably hugely under diagnosed in the UK (it is in the US as well, come to that). Plus side? If it’s Lyme there’s treatment and a possible cure. CFS, not so much.

(Yes, I make Lyme awareness a point. Sorry for butting in, but it’s always worth considering! Most patients don’t remember getting the ‘typical rash’ so don’t rule it out unless you’ve spoken to a specialist).

I believe that you probably sped up your recovery by being open and direct about it. I often stop myself in my tracks because I feel like a fraud, and that is what I must recover from because I can tell you it is holding me back. You are a great role model to live an authentic, honest life. I learned something from your confidence building tips about nourishment – and we must all nourish ourselves first so we have stuff to give to others. Between this and What the Hell, you have demonstrated your confidence!

@Tes: I’ve seen similar conflicting reports, both of recovery time and treatment/cure. Some sites are sure they’ve got a cure, other sites refute that claim and others say something completely different. If anything’s clear it’s that nothing’s clear. So no disheartening taken. I’ve pretty much given up with my doctor and doing what I can the best I can. Might look into LD, so thanks.

@Dale: Fella, thanks. I really appreciate that, and it’s a good reminder for me about nourishment too!

I don’t know anything about CFS, but I do know accepting your own limits makes you a happier person. It sounds weird, almost like settling, but it’s not. It’s about realizing it’s okay to feel the way you do and being realistic. I think it’s great you’re doing this so that even though it may not be the traditional definition of success you’re achieving, you’re doing so much more for yourself.
.-= Check out Rebecca´s last blog…Re-Thinking Workaholism =-.

@Steve: The Fella is a Gal! It’s quite alright, it happens all the time. ?

@Rebecca: I think you’re right – it’s a matter of accepting where you are rather than fighting it. I’m confident that things will shape up well, even if it takes a little longer. Thanks for stopping by, really appreciate it.

@Dale: Eek. So sorry – I admit, I’m an idiot ;P

Steve, you don’t look at living with CFS for the rest of your life. You look only as far as tomorrow, or next week, or maybe next month.

I’ve been diasbled since birth, and in the last 10 years I’ve developed serious arthritis and Ulcerative Colitis – I’m just on the borderline for Crohn’s Disease.

If I’d known in my 20′s how much pain I would be in daily, how eating would give me even more pain and how limited I would be now I’m 46, I would have said ‘I’ll never cope with that!’

But I have, just by coping every day I’ve carried on for the last 10 years. In some ways I can do less, but it’s also true that I am doing more now than I did when I was younger. I have my website, design business, a happy marriage.

I’m not saying it’s easy, or that I don’t ge tired of everything being such an effort, or tired of the pills I have to swallow just to function. And just like you, I have to plan my days and sometimes it sucks. (

Whatever happens you’ll cope with it, because that’s the kind of man you are. But you won’t get the strength to cope with it on this side of the fence; you’ll only you had what it takes when you look back.

My very best wishes. )

@Jane: Wow – it’s people like you who show me what strength is all about. You’ve been through the wringer and I just love your approach.

“you’ll only know you had what it takes when you look back”

That’s so simple, so true and resonates with me big time. Thanks so much, and let me know how I can help YOU out.

I’m bummed you can’t take the job in Amsterdam and I don’t even know you! Great post about having the courage to work within your limits – helping yourself get better rather than having regrets about the things you can’t do right now. Thanks!

@TiredGuysWife: Thanks for thinking of me and I love how you put it. I’m still talking with the Amsterdam people and something might actually happen – I’ll keep you posted.

hello, I just thought two things might help you.

suggestions only

read that detoxing- whole foods and colegenics can get rid of toxins from body-reverse cell maladaption, that from my research appears might be linked to CFS.
also in addition to rebuilding the body on a celluar level and restucturing the elimination process- also horomone regulation- through regulation of blood sugar levels, coristol may help- fat loss or muscle building protocols- small meals of protin and carbs, fibre in addition to weights, if can only do seated- the buliding of muscle and change in body compostion
also I used phil barkers lightening process- and got better- as before I was bed bound

the effects are mostly treated not the causes- namely in my case-poor nuitrtion, toxins, stress, thinking patterns- the mind and body transformation I have achieved means- its possible- and the truth is you can regain full health