Day 1 Hanging by a thread

I've had chronic fatigue / chronic Epstein-Barr for 6 years. It all started when I was 18 and got mono for a whole summer. I recovered, but I was never the same again. I was always tired to one extent or another, then I developed weird stomach symptoms for years that I explored to no end with many specialists and tests. A year ago my fatigue got worse, and 4 months ago it got really bad (oddly enough, my stomach symptoms disappeared here). I have had hundreds of tests done and repeated. As far as modern medicine can tell, I am a healthy guy. Having some medical background, I believe it.

I am a medical student. I am Type A. I am a people-pleaser. I worry greatly about what others think of me. I am hard on myself. I compare myself to others a lot. I feel a lot, but I rarely express these feelings. AKA, I have a classic TMS personality.

A year ago, I first encountered Dr. Sarno's books. I read them multiple times and worked through his recommended exercises. It was the only thing that has ever made a difference in my fatigue, but it did not make it go away completely. After my fatigue got better, I sorta half-assed his program from then on and moved on with my life. 4 months ago, I started feeling a lot worse and now I want to give Sarno another go with greater commitment. I think a structured daily program will help with this.

I am suffering a great deal from this emotionally. My life has shrunk down to the bare essentials I need to not fail school. I am 24, and instead of living a thriving life like all my friends, I am spending all my free time on the couch. I hate this so much, but I have confidence that I will get better. Sorry for the long post. Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Do the work and you will heal.
Would you half ass your studies? You deserve to give your emotional self your all. Be fearless and brave! Go there emotionally! Change the way you view the world.
You will get your life back - absolutely.
But you have to work the program - no shortcuts (sadly!!!).
Good luck and I'm excited to hear your progress.

 

My story is similar. One of my worries was that so many TMS patients seem to be chronic pain sufferers as opposed to chronic fatigue type patients (I am CFS, started by mono in December 2017). All I know is after reading about TMS for one day, I have had the best three day stretch in 16 months. Good luck to both of us.

 

Same! Reading about TMS is the only thing that has ever made an immediate difference for me. It's amazing. It's good to hear it's helping you as well. I'd love to stay in touch, especially since the number of people here for fatigue is relatively small compared to chronic pain.

 

I don't have anything to offer, but wanted to say I'm also 24 and can really resonate with your desire about wishing you could live a thriving life. I feel the same way. I have an awesome job (had? I'm currently off of work), I was having heaps of fun with my friends and I met an awesome guy. And then my life changed forever because of my chronic pain (a bit different - sciatica/back pain). I just can really relate to feeling like this shouldn't be your life, and that it's not fair. I really hope you find some success.

 

I appreciate you sharing. It's good to know there are others going through a similar thing.

 

have you guys listened to any of Nichole Sachs podcasts? I think they are called The Cure for Chronic Pain and they’ve been super beyond helpful for me.
It’s been about 3 months now but my sciatica is finally feeling better!!!!!!!
Don’t give up hope!