1972 -2004, Diana - Diana has an amazing story. She has probably had CFS from the early 1970's. Over time she has tried many treatments, some of which were helpful but only moderately so and her fatigue, pain and other problems remained intense for over twenty-five years until 1998 when she met Dr. Stratton. Dr. Stratton diagnosed her with chlamydiae pneumoniae and put her on a long term antibiotic program. SInce 2004 she has been completely cured - a remarkable outcome after such a long and arduous battle with this disease. (7/13/06)
Mid 1970"s (or earlier?) Claire - Shenandoah Valley - Claire has been through so much (CFS, FMS, MCS) that there is almost something for everybody in Claire's story. Claire was been able to struggle on and work for many years but finally a severe case of MCS/CFS disabled her. As with so many others Claire was rescued from destitution only by her family. Many CFS patients will relate to Claire's struggle to work and survive in the midst of this debilitating disease. (8/10/06)
1979, Cort - San Diego/Las Vegas - Cort came down with CFS about 25 years ago while in college and MCS about 10 years ago. He was always able to go to school or work at least part time a severe case of MCS stopped him from working about five years ago. Single in his late-forties, he has, except for his MCS, slowly improved over time. He runs this website. (5/10/04)
1980, DM's Family - Nevada - Most of DM's family has chronic fatigue syndrome. Their story demonstrates the devastating emotional as well as physical effects CFS can emotional have. DM’s family, with their diagnosis by a prominent physician and their well documented immune abnormalities, illustrates the many way this devastating disease can touch a family. (12/07)1985, Linda - Canada - Linda very poignantly talks of the ups and downs of a 20 year journey with severe ME/CFS that began in college. Fiercely committed to advocacy and improving the lives of chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients she provides a resources list at the end of her story. (4/07)
1987, Lauren - This is not Lauren Hillenbrandt's personal story but it is a story, a very touching story, of her life. Lauren Hillenbrandt is the author of Seabiscuit.
1990, Pat - Boulder, Colorado - Pat's story is a successful one. At one
time sick enough to contemplate suicide, she was able with the help of
various practitioners and her own emphasis on lifestyle changes to
completely overcome fibromyalgia. Pat still has CFS but she also, as she
puts it, has her life back. An awarding winning support group leader and
psychotherapist and Lifestyle Counselor, Pat now teaches others how to
successfully manage CFS.
1996, Tammy - New Mexico
- A single mother and nurse, Tammy's CFS
came on not long after breaking her back in a hang glider crash. For the next
five years she endured a truly bizarre suite of symptoms and eventually had to
give up care of her daughter. She too, however, has slowly over improved over time
(3/04/05)
1996, Samantha - United Kingdom*-
Samantha, now 16, has had CFS since she was
about 7 years old. Her story, written by her mother, is a difficult one;
among other problems she has suffered from severe jaw and head pain for years
and is now largely housebound and confined to a wheelchair.
)
1997, Joan - Chester, United Kingdom
-
Joan, now 32, was an avid exerciser before
she came down with CFS while working abroad. Her illness waxed and waned over time
and she was able to keep working until 2004. A
psychiatrist informed her she had CFS (!) and referred her to a CFS
specialist who diagnosed her with, among other things, Lyme disease. Several
rounds of antibiotics have allowed her to recover her strength somewhat; she is
now working one day a week (5/05).
199? , Mort - United States
-
The Face of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) - click
on Mort's photo to get behind the smiley faces we put on for the true face
of face of ME/CFS.
1997, Lauren - United Kingdom* -
Now 20, Lauren came down with CFS when
she was twelve. Lauren was able to complete school with the aid of tutors but
her health has declined over time. She is almost completely housebound
at present.
1997, Suzy - United Kingdom* - Now 20, Suzy came down with CFS at 14.
Formerly an excellent student and athlete Suzy has had an extremely
severe case of CFS. Completely bed bound and in a semi-comatose state for
several years Suzy has slowly improved over the past two years.
2000, Marlene
- Sacramento, California
- We hear a lot of bad
stories but there are success stories as well. Marlene had a classic onset to
her CFS - an infection that progressed until she became debilitated, unable to
work, lost her health insurance and her savings - the whole story. About a year
and a half into her illness, however, some some supplements helped her regain
her health and she has worked full time for the past four years (7/06).
2004, Meg - Bermuda
-
Now in her fifties, Meg was the only member of her family to get hit by infections
again and again while growing up. A graphic designer and artist Meg has had full
blown CFS for a couple of years now. She has recovered enough - just enough - to
make it through a part-time day of work. (10/15/06).
2006, Mike -
Columbus, Ohio - Mike' has as a very severe
a case of ME/CFS as can be found. Patients like Mike need to be shielded from almost any kind of input and their degree
of debility is overwhelming.
First we hear from Mike's father and then from Mike himself.
Two Tragic Deaths
- Two CFS patients that didn't make it and their stories.
*these stories are from the INVESTINME website.
E-mail :
Phoenixcfs@yahoo.com
