Posted by Ilene on April 23, 2004, at 19:04:42
In reply to Re: Working and crying, posted by rainyday on April 23, 2004, at 15:54:24
> Ilene, I have heard that CFS is extremely debilitating. How do you cope? Is there treatment available?
>There seems to be more than one "flavor" of CFS. SDJeff also has it, but his seems to be more or less constant, while mine has definite triggers.
My type seems to be caused by a problem with my autonomic nervous system--the part of the nervous system that controls blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, etc. My blood pressure and heart rate tend to be low, I often have dizzy spells when I stand up and I get light-headed, weak, and fuzzy-minded when I over-exert myself or get too hot because my blood pressure drops. The things that make my blood pressure drop (heat, exertion, stress, and anxiety) trigger CFS flare-ups, which feel much like the flu. Symptoms include sore throat, swollen glands, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, stomach problems, and confusion or fogginess/inability to concentrate.
Lately I've felt tired in between flare-ups. I don't know if that's from depression, deconditioning, slow heart rate/low blood pressure, or CFS.
There is very little in the way of treatment. I take drug called Florinef, which is usually used to treat an adrenal malfunction called Addison's disease. It's supposed to make me retain salt and water in my system so my blood pressure is higher. I've noticed I can take hot showers again. I *love* hot showers.
Coping is difficult, but my depression is a bigger problem than the CFS. Once I figured out the triggers I did okay for a while. My father died a year ago, and that made everything worse because I was so stressed.
I finally got a doctor who probably understands CFS as well as anyone. He says many patients get better. (Unfortunately I'm moving cross country in a few weeks.) He's also Laura Hillenbrand's doctor (author of Sea Biscuit). She has what sounds like a very bad case of CFS.
I.
poster:Ilene
thread:338644
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040422/msgs/339327.html