I'm going through an endless rough patch
When I was 17 I got diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and basically had to give up college due to my health. I then spent the next year trying to get better and go back, only to get very ill again and have to leave.

In that time I met Justin, who has been an amazing friend to me. When everyone else decided I was too much effort to come and visit and take care of, he visited regularly and never once complained that I couldn't go out and do crazy things. One evening things were looking very bleak and I was feeling absolutely awful, when Justin told me that I was an amazing person and that he felt lucky to have met me.

I cried after he said that.

I also cried when my parents told me the only thing they really wanted for christmas was for me to better.

Things are still bad on the CFS front, and mental issues are bubbling up on the surface, but I still try my hardest to treat everyone with the kindness they deserve. Just like my parents, my brother and Justin have been an amazing support to me.
(Sneakerdoodle "Have a cup of tea and toss yourself off", Thu 2 Oct 2008, 20:42, 6 replies)

I have the same problem (CFS, and being bipolar)
and know exactly what you mean. Sometimes I feel I must be doing everything possible to drive my friends away and alienate myself, but then someone is incredibly kind and nice and it makes life worth living again.

Although I've missed out on whole chunks of life (parts of school, dropped out of uni, had to quit multiple jobs), and sometimes life seems just shit, occasionally I realise that what I do have is so valuable and worthwhile, because I've had to struggle every inch of the way to get it.

I don't think there's any cure for CFS or my mental problems. The pills I take numb the pain and the darkness, but also numb potential happiness, love, lust, and my artistic talent. (oh and apparently damage my sperm, according to recent news...)

But regardless of what you go through, life is worth it in the end; it's the difficult parts that make the good parts worthwhile. There's no sunshine without clouds, etc.
( Peregr1n @peregr1n, Thu 2 Oct 2008, 20:56, closed)

It's the little things
That keep me going really. Like if Mum brings home doughnuts, or if I get a really big hug. If someone says I'm a nice person, just things like that.

I'm constantly being told by the doctor that eventually I will get better but I've been being told that for the past two years and nothing has changed really. However, the social recluse thing has made me have terrible anxiety troubles, which I'm meant to be seeing someone about.

Nevermind, I guess we just battle on, eh?
(Sneakerdoodle "Have a cup of tea and toss yourself off", Thu 2 Oct 2008, 21:16, closed)

I dunno if it's just me
but I've come to the conclusion that I'm not going to get magically better, but I *can* come to terms with who I am.
So I still get hideously depressed, but I've learnt to recognise the signs and symptoms; and so phone in sick for a couple of days if I know I'm heading downhill, and stock up on chocolate and pizza. And if I feel like suicide and nobody loves me, I know to tell myself that it's a mood swing, and in a couple of day's time I won't feel like that any more, so just ride through it.

I don't know if that's helpful - probably quite the opposite - but it's how I cope.
( Peregr1n @peregr1n, Thu 2 Oct 2008, 23:12, closed)

interesting to see that there are others with cfs on here...
I also have cfs. As a result I missed out on a lot of what I guess others would consider a regular school life.

Luckily for me I have come through the worst of it (illnesses still hit me incredibly hard and I have to be careful not to over do things), a lot of it thanks to the wonderful friends that stood by me and of course my family.

I understand what you are going through, and what has been said above is true in my case, there is no magical cure unfortunately, but learning to cope with things and plan ahead seems to work well for me.

Try to stay positive, and if you ever want to talk feel free to gaz me!
( MonkeyOfCode is your favourite waste of time, Fri 3 Oct 2008, 11:26, closed)

Hey
"I still try my hardest to treat everyone with the kindness the deserve"

Sounds like your an amazing person to me too!
( KISS.ME.WHERE.I.POO Signed the sex offenders register on, Thu 2 Oct 2008, 21:34, closed)

Me too!
I was diagnosed with ME/CFS in 2005; it nearly ruined my training as a midwife and the most we know is that it was probably a reaction to the Hep B vaccine but I'd sooner have ME than Hep B!

I have good and bad times, but I am absolute proof that you can be at a stage where you have no strength to turn your alarm clock off in the morning and go to working full time in a demanding job within a year, recovery is possible but it is individual and you just have to believe you are worth it and that you will get better.
(Clarabelle is reverting to type on, Fri 3 Oct 2008, 16:23, closed)