Getting Diagnosed...

Yes.. a year or so later.. after constant visits to your local G.P., numerous blood tests which came back normal.. you make another appointment.. you march in, explain that he has to do something... as every aspect of your life is now taking a downward spiral... I eventually was referred to a specialist..

It took 6 months for my appointment to come through... as I had been placed on a waiting list...

Eventually the day came.. I had arranged to get a lift to the hospital... on arrival.. the receptionist took my personal details... I waited in the waiting room for 10 minutes.. then the specialist came out and showed me to his room...

He did numerous tests that day.. and finally diagnosed me with (PVFS) Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome.. as it could be traced back to me contracting the flu.

The reality of the situation is the fact.. that the full ordeal had left me extremely exhausted... and.. yes.. I still had unanswered questions... so, when I got home.. I phoned the hospital and made another appointment to see the specialist... I was given another appointment.

This time I made preparations.. I arrived at the hospital with a list of questions.. somehow.. I just needed to understand.

The specialist came out.. and showed me back into his room.. I followed.. went in.. and sat on a chair.. I explained the fact that I did not get the chance to ask him a few questions.. that I had made the appointment... I reached into my bag to retrieve my notepad... I caught him whilst I was doing this... gathering his files... and putting them into his briefcase.. he stood up to leave the room whilst I was still sitting in the chair.. at this point.. I had asked him what he was doing.. I was told.. that he was to busy to answer questions.. he told me to go to the library and get a book.. although... before he walked out the office completely.. whilst I was still sitting in the chair... full of disbelief at what was happening... he told me to get "Living with M.E." by Dr Charles Shepherd.. I walked out the room in tears... and went home.

Unknown to me.. until a few weeks later.. I had been also referred to a physio.. on arrival at my appointment... she told me that she was to give me some exercises... but after watching the mannerism.. of me trying to get to a chair that day... she told me under the circumstances.. anything she tried to do... would have made my condition worse..

So... yes, I had been diagnosed.

Time went on.. and with no help.. or understanding... my symptoms.. were variable... and fluctuating.. I started to see a pattern.. but just when I thought I had reached a level of understanding.. something else came along... back to the doctors... ~again~ more blood tests.. until there came a point.. that I gave up... I was not getting any help.

I think my turning point.. which lead me to educate myself about (CFS) was the fact... that. one night.. around 2.00am... I woke up from my sleep, I felt my blood racing around my body... my heart was beating so fast... I got up... tried to go to the kitchen to get a glass of water... but ended up collapsing in the hall... frantically I phoned the emergency services... and an ambulance arrived... I had an oxygen mask on all the way to the hospital... and my heart beat so quickly.. that I thought it was coming through my chest. On arrival.. I was taking into the emergency room.. and within minutes.. I felt fine. I had an E.C.G to rule any possible problems.. I mentioned to the doctor.. that I suffered from (CFS)... it was dismissed..

Half an hour later.. I was allowed to go home.. whilst I was getting dressed.. a nurse approached me... she commented on the fact that she had overheard me telling the doctor about my condition.. then asked me what Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was... I finished dressing.. and left.. not only did I have to battle with my condition but I had to battle with negativity as well..

Time went on.. I educated myself.. about (CFS) through support groups... internet access etc...

Common pitfalls...

Many G.P.'s are reluctant to give a diagnose of (CFS) as the practitioner is not highly trained.. and experienced in this field...

(CFS) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.. is a complex, uncertain, difficult and heterogeneous illness... practitioners... should be able to learn to adopt an individual approach to each patient..

But at all times maintain..

As a whole... if this practice was taken up amongst more practitioners... then at least.. we as (CFS) suffers... would have at least one, comfortable port of call... our local G.P.