24 years, started with fibromyalgia symptoms after heavy antibiotics in 1990.
"Morphed" into ME/CFS gradually, then more abruptly and clearly after mononucleosis in 1997.
Definite signs of "CFS lite" since antibiotics for pneumonia the summer I was 11. I was never very strong again after that, and went through a lot of insomnia and weakness during junior high and high school. Cognitive dysfunction set in at 17, but I only recognize that in retrospect. I thought it was senioritis; it actually was a growing inability to focus mentally on tasks. Trying college did not work. I could not concentrate and had low energy. Same thing, I blamed everything else. There has been a definite gradual downturn after each time on heavy antibiotics. (Age 11, 19, 23, and 27.)
Have seen the cycle of waxing and waning every three-four years but did not know for years what it was. Sometimes I have done better, sometimes worse.
Lack of good diagnoses served me in the end, because I had to find ways to continue functioning. Herbal medicine helped tremendously. When I could not follow my regimen, I would totally collapse, first in 2004 and again in 2010. I have recovered enough to be at 75% function these days and count myself lucky. At the same time, I am wiser and more careful now knowing another crash could come. I am my sole source of income. Somehow, I have to function for years to come. The thought of this gradually getting worse over the years is something I do not want to think about at all, but must consider.
The only true co-morbidity I can list is early onset osteoarthritis, supposedly a risk for our group.
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Misfit Toy Sorry to hear peri menopause messed things up. As if you needed anything else.