It's early days yet, but I wanted to update on my progress.
I was diagnosed by an Aussie rheumatologist with CFS/ME late last year after 20+ years of fatigue and ever increasing pain. I had been diagnosed with hashimoto's previously. I had experienced a severe cold sore outbreak when I was 16, and never quite felt the same, getting progressively and having several significant drops in health and function following traumatic/difficult events - abusive relationship, two difficult pregnancies, ill parents etc
I was still just managing two days a week work with an employer who was sympathetic and allowed me to arrive when I could and take weeks off as needed - I know how lucky I am! On my days off I was mostly either in bed or on the couch, in pain all over, light headed, exhausted, brain fog, couldn't concentrate, irritable - you know the deal.
I read about Dr Pridgen on here and after contacting him I tried to find a supportive Aussie GP, without much luck at first. My regular GP was open to me trying Cymbalta in January this year once I had the dx, and within weeks my pain levels had dropped by 30% - I couldn't believe it and hadn't realised the extent of some of my pain until it was less. I still had hip, back and knee pain, as well as a compartment syndrome type reaction to walking, but what I had thought was arthritic pain in my wrists, ankles, hands and feet from being treated with steroids as a child, was all but gone.
I flew to Adelaide from Melbourne to see a Dr that Dr Pridgen had been in contact with before on March 5th, and started the protocol that night.
I started noticing periods of time when I wasn't so exhausted, I started to move differently - my mum and husband started commenting on the change in my voice, from strained, tired, and either irritable or flat, to chirpy and engaged. These spells of less exhaustion became more frequent, and I found myself feeling clearer headed and much less anxious.
Three months in, and I feel amazing! I'm not 100% there yet, and I'm anticipating a long road with the need for a restrengthening program and some significant psychological shifts, but I can't believe the difference. I am enjoying work, in waking feeling energised and positive, I haven't felt light headed for two months, I can go out to the shops without feeling overwhelmed and dizzy within ten minutes. My kids playing noises are making me smile instead of seeth and grind my teeth. My patience is returning. I can shower without feeling wiped out afterwards. I am looking forward to my future...
And there it is. My future. I feel like I have one. I'm sure so many of you will know what I mean when I say I didn't think I had one. At 42 I had been quite clinically and detachedly contemplating when and how I would take my own life before I was 60, because I couldn't face an old age with that fatigue and pain. It wasn't a depression thing, or didn't feel like it - it felt practical. That's a terrifying thought.
I am so incredibly grateful to Dr P and my Aussie GP - my life is changing and I have so much hope, excitement and positivity for the future.
I was diagnosed by an Aussie rheumatologist with CFS/ME late last year after 20+ years of fatigue and ever increasing pain. I had been diagnosed with hashimoto's previously. I had experienced a severe cold sore outbreak when I was 16, and never quite felt the same, getting progressively and having several significant drops in health and function following traumatic/difficult events - abusive relationship, two difficult pregnancies, ill parents etc
I was still just managing two days a week work with an employer who was sympathetic and allowed me to arrive when I could and take weeks off as needed - I know how lucky I am! On my days off I was mostly either in bed or on the couch, in pain all over, light headed, exhausted, brain fog, couldn't concentrate, irritable - you know the deal.
I read about Dr Pridgen on here and after contacting him I tried to find a supportive Aussie GP, without much luck at first. My regular GP was open to me trying Cymbalta in January this year once I had the dx, and within weeks my pain levels had dropped by 30% - I couldn't believe it and hadn't realised the extent of some of my pain until it was less. I still had hip, back and knee pain, as well as a compartment syndrome type reaction to walking, but what I had thought was arthritic pain in my wrists, ankles, hands and feet from being treated with steroids as a child, was all but gone.
I flew to Adelaide from Melbourne to see a Dr that Dr Pridgen had been in contact with before on March 5th, and started the protocol that night.
I started noticing periods of time when I wasn't so exhausted, I started to move differently - my mum and husband started commenting on the change in my voice, from strained, tired, and either irritable or flat, to chirpy and engaged. These spells of less exhaustion became more frequent, and I found myself feeling clearer headed and much less anxious.
Three months in, and I feel amazing! I'm not 100% there yet, and I'm anticipating a long road with the need for a restrengthening program and some significant psychological shifts, but I can't believe the difference. I am enjoying work, in waking feeling energised and positive, I haven't felt light headed for two months, I can go out to the shops without feeling overwhelmed and dizzy within ten minutes. My kids playing noises are making me smile instead of seeth and grind my teeth. My patience is returning. I can shower without feeling wiped out afterwards. I am looking forward to my future...
And there it is. My future. I feel like I have one. I'm sure so many of you will know what I mean when I say I didn't think I had one. At 42 I had been quite clinically and detachedly contemplating when and how I would take my own life before I was 60, because I couldn't face an old age with that fatigue and pain. It wasn't a depression thing, or didn't feel like it - it felt practical. That's a terrifying thought.
I am so incredibly grateful to Dr P and my Aussie GP - my life is changing and I have so much hope, excitement and positivity for the future.