AnnieBHappy

Okay; where to begin. Was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigued Syndrome at 20 years of age. Was actually found to have 0% Natural... read more

Okay; where to begin. Was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigued Syndrome at 20 years of age. Was actually found to have 0% Natural Killer Cells at one point which is/can be an indicator...(is called Low Natural Killer Cell Syndrome in Japan actually) Was then found to have a low normal rating a few years later; so am able to produce them. (A BioChemist asked how was I even alive with no Natural Killer Cells?; but apparently the back-up immune cells were working in over time...hence the fatigue; my first line of defense was down; so bacterial/viral invaders had easy access and my T-Cells etc then were working overtime to keep things in check) Having said that; that was 20 some odd years ago. (Do have patience with my time-line approximations, it's all kind of a long extended blur by now) Approximately 10 years ago my family doc and I were wondering if I don't have A.D.D. and depression/anxiety. Then went to a Psychiatrist for another opinion. After a year? or more of sessions, he concluded: P.T.S.D. and O.C.D. (with accompanying clinical depression/anxiety -- these two are inclusive in the formal diagnosis.) After C.B.T. (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and trying to live as functionally as possible -- very sub-par; but was managing...have relapsed again and am confused regarding how to approach my whole dilemma ... Do I have C.F.S; do I have a Psychiatric malady; do I have both? I know that exercise is supposed to help depression; I relapse badly if I don't keep my exercise to a very very suppressed minimal. Not worried about any stigma either way; just wish I had a firm idea as to what I have exactly so I'd know how best to approach my struggle and help myself to wellness. Must really pace myself in general to get through the day. Lost my job a year ago after weaning from Cipralex (didn't go over well) Am simply in a state of trying to get 'well-er' again and back to remotely functioning. Am back to feeling like just self-care and hanging in there is about all I can manage right now. Well, can't say I'm brief, but that's a synopsis of my struggle. Am honored to be sharing my story with you all and to be involved with reading your stories, insights and posts. We Will All Get Through this as Best we Can....May knowing that even though I don't 'know' any of you; my heart goes out to you all and I wish you Blue Skies and Sunshine within your Daily Battle. AnnieBHappy