I have been suffering CFS since about 3 years ago in the best moment of my life. I had a successful medical practice, was able to take care of my husband and my house. A morning in January 2009 I woke up in the morning and told my husband: I think I got a bad flu. I had sore throat, generalized muscular pain, headache and general malaise. The days went by and after two weeks I concluded that it was not a flu and what I had was not normal. I was tested for every possible illness. I got tests that I even didn't know that existed. All this to been told that everything in my body was right. After more than 4 months looking for any help and any diagnostic, a neurologist made the diagnostic of chronic fatigue syndrome. Last year I was totally bedridden for more than 6 months. After this I got better and was able to return to my normal life. But about two months ago my symptoms are returning. I'm in pain and the only think I need is to sleep. I try to keep my normal life but my body betrays me. It is so hard.

I have been suffering with CFS for about 3 years now. I had Ross River Fever and Glandular Fever before the CFS. I am exhausted most days, have sensitivities to bright lights, noise and temperatures, aching legs & feet, memory loss, dry mouth & eyes. I also have a vitamin D deficiency. My doctor is thinking of sending me to a CFS specialist in Sydney to help me learn how to manage the condition. I am still working full time but struggle with the demands of my job due to the debilitating effects of the illness.

I believe that I have had CFS since the mid 1980's, sometimes worse than other times. I have all the classic symptoms and for years my doctors pooh poohed my condition. I have made many, many trips to the ER thinking that my chest pain was heart related by every test under the sun. Believe me, when I had angina, it wasn't the same as CSF. Now I am 83 and I am experiencing the CFS more than ever, but I am lucky to be able to rest whenever I need to. I take Cymbalta but I don't think that it helps for I still have the severe malaise, muscle pain, short term memory problems, etc., etc. It's a bummer and the worst part is you look so healthy and feel so lousy.

Blessings to my fellow CFS suffers. I was diagnosed in 1997 with FM and CFS. Thanks to all who have shared. It validates my symptoms. I also developed IBS and an irritable bladder. My illness has robbed me of many things, but it also made me a better person.

I have significant short-term memory impairment. I thought I was getting Alzheimer's it was so severe. I had joint pain, shoulder pain, and knee pain. I also had constant muscle aches, and was always tired even after sleeping for 9 or 10 hours I still felt as if I didn't get any rest. Getting up in the morning was so extremely difficult. I get up around 6 but it takes me at least 2-1/2 hours to get dressed and out the door as I constantly rest in between my morning tasks.

I have CFS and I get post-exertional malaise. I suffer from unrefreshing sleep, severe fatigue, body aches, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, chills, night sweats, dizziness, drowsiness, muscle pains, joint pains, earaches, sore throat, numbness/tingling in hands and feet, sensitivity to lights and sound, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, weight gain, low grade fevers< stress, anxiety, irritability, muscle spasms/twitching, intolerance to heat and cold.

My symptoms are well I'm always tired no energy headaches depression can't sleep but want to, pains in my stomach, my legs arms everywhere just to walk to the letter box takes so much out of me and it has stopped me from been able to drive a lot of the time just want to stay in bed and my anxiety is getting worse.