Chronic fatigue syndrome

Hannah2303
Hannah2303 Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
Hello I'm new here I'm 24 and I am in pain daily particularly in my joints and this worsens with exercise or concentrating. My other main symptom is being extremely tired all the time even after rest or sleep. I also struggle with sleep I tend to wake up frequently and suffer with concentration and badly with my memory. I am pretty sure I have chronic fatigue after doing some research but I have severe anxiety and am not sure how to go about getting my point across and being listened to by my doctor. Can anyone give me any advice please? 

Comments

  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing

    Hello @Hannah2303. Welcome to Scope’s forum. It is great to see you have joined us. How are you today?

    It sounds really tough that you are in pain daily, particularly in your joints and this worsens with exercise or concentrating. Being extremely tired all the time even after rest or sleep sounds really difficult too.

    I can hear how these things would only be made worse by struggling to sleep, tending to wake up frequently, and suffering from concentration and badly with your memory.

    In fact, as I have fibro, I can empathise here. In terms of your anxiety, is this a separate experience or related specifically to identifying you might have chronic fatigue syndrome?

    If it is separate, I am just wondering if you have the support you need in place to help make your anxiety more manageable for you. If it is related, is there anything which might help to make this more manageable for you to navigate at the moment?

    We are hearing you with your concerns about getting your point across and being listed to by your doctor. In my personal experience, I can say persistence helps! Often, chronic illnesses are unfortunately one of the least believed – we need more time, awareness and acceptance around this.

    I would also recommend making sure you have a strong support network, such as someone to go with you to speak to your doctor if they can and if this would make you feel more comfortable. I, personally, have found this helpful when I needed to be heard and felt unheard.

    If we can do anything else to support you through this, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We are all here for you and please feel free to keep us in the loop with how you are doing  :)

  • trig
    trig Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
    I have CFS and fibromyalgia and had a problem with needing more than the 15 minutes so I asked if it possible to email him with a summary of how I feel and a list of health problems that need looking into, this way he can see the broader  side of  all my symptoms rather then only being able to sort 1 of your symptoms  I now email him every time much easier 
  • jayuk
    jayuk Online Community Member Posts: 63 Contributor
    Hello I'm new here I'm 24 and I am in pain daily particularly in my joints and this worsens with exercise or concentrating. My other main symptom is being extremely tired all the time even after rest or sleep. I also struggle with sleep I tend to wake up frequently and suffer with concentration and badly with my memory. I am pretty sure I have chronic fatigue after doing some research but I have severe anxiety and am not sure how to go about getting my point across and being listened to by my doctor. Can anyone give me any advice please? 

    Hi have you had any blood tests done to rule out any low levels as being low in vitamins can cause joint pain andfatigue.
    I have underactive thyroid, fibro ,chronic fatigue also b12 deficiency  and other health problems
    but the above one have symptoms of joint pain and fatigue poor memory.

    Make appointment with your doctor and tell them how you feel and ask them to do a blood to check as they will have to rule out stuff.

    I can sympathise as I struggle daily, I wake up tired and the smallest thing I do wipes me out.
    Have a look up at the spoon theory as it's important to pace yourself and do small tasks daily rather than wiping yourself out and getting pay back the next day.

    If you need any help or advice or any support you can pm me as I know it's hard living with it daily.


  • Danlangridge88
    Danlangridge88 Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 66 Contributor
    I suffer from chronic fatigue, aches and pains and muscle weakness. Just tell your  GP your symptoms. They should initially do blood tests and check for abnormalities. If they can't find a cause of the problem, they might eventually diagnose you with CFS or Fibromyalgia.  
    I'm at the stage where I've had blood tests which have all come back normal, and have been referred to a 'persistent physical symptoms' specialist.