- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / M.E.
- Interviews
Krista's interview
How did all start?
Sudden onset of flu-like illness.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Yes. 6 months for GP to suggest that’s what they thought it was. 4 years to get a difinitive diagnosis from a doctor specialising in ME.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
No specialties exist as such, but there are doctors who choose to focus on ME as a special interest, like CFS Discover Clinic in Donvale, Victoria, Australia.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Both a POTS diagnosis and treatment (beta blockers and electrolytes) and LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone).
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Lack of understanding/education in the medical field and as such a lack of symptom treatment options provided.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
Very positive and supportive.
What things have you stopped doing?
Most activity. Learning new things.
What do you think about the future?
Accepted that I may have this for the rest of my life, but will never give up on hoping for recovery or remission.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
2018 - found LDN was an effective treatment to build on the POTS treatments that had already started improving my quality of life the previous year. Was able to travel for a month, albeit with the help of my electric wheelchair and a great deal of planning and preparation.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Go skiing.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
A constant balancing act between light activity and rest.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Go to CFS Discovery clinic and although expensive, do their tests and try their suggested treatments. It has improved my quality of life significantly and might do yours too.
