... but unfortunately it didn't. It always came back.
Has anyone experienced a sudden improvement, albeit short, to the point that it felt like you were "normal" again? I'm asking because I recall three unique instances when my ME/CFS symptoms seemed to completely disappear... only to come back again a few days later.
- Fall 2009, Italy/Spain: During a trip to southern Europe (Italy and Spain), I experienced another moment of sudden improvement: I was rested, slept soundly and the brain fog lifted to the point that I had a working short-term memory! The remarkable thing about this event is that it lasted almost 2 full weeks. This sudden improvement happened about 3 days into the trip, and lasted for the duration of the trip. The itinerary included both large cities (Madrid, Rome) and the countryside, different environments, different types of weather.
Not only did my short-term memory improve, but my long term memory was back. I was recalling events from years past, and was doing it clearly, and at a rapid speed. I was absolutely thrilled. It gave me hopes that my memories were not lost; they were all in there, but my ME/CFS prevented me from accessing them.
I felt extremely active and even creative. Truly joyous albeit fleeting moment, since all the ME/CFS symptoms came back within two days of arriving home. Imagine my disappointment after experiencing two weeks outside of the CFS nightmare... only to have everything come back again, with a vengeance.
Note: I have traveled to many countries and regions, and never experienced anything quite like this. What's even more puzzling is that I went to southern Europe again last year, but did not benefit from such improvement. I once felt a bit of similar improvement in Albuquerque, NM, but not nearly as dramatic. Color me puzzled!
Why would this happen? Are these symptoms worsened by the environment? Are we exposed to toxins or bio-toxins that are stronger in certain regions? Mold toxins specific to the NorthEast? Was it the Mediterranean food? Was it the drier Southern European weather? Was it the restricted hospital diet? Was it the pristine environmental control in the hospital (clean air, etc)? :thumbdown:
For the record, in the last 15 years I have lived in 3 different apartments, and 2 different states, so I wasn't always going back to the same apartment of location.
I'm completely confused by those three fleeting moments when
I felt I was free. I can't figure it out, and wish I could recreate whatever conditions that led me there.
Has anyone else had moments like these? Can you recall what made a difference? I want to be
there again!