You may of heard of Myalgic encephalitis other wise known as Chronic fatigue syndrome. A crippling illness that effects all parts of the body and even the mind as well. Usually effecting women from their 30's upwards. Can be common in late 20's too, however I'm struggling to frind other teenages who suffer. Let alone ones still in school. I have heard of homeschooling or leaving school all together. But I have no one to guide me in what I'm trying to do. I am a 17 year old who has been sick since I was 12. I've had CFS for three years now after two years of glandular fever and another year of non-stop viruses. I have been left with barely any immune system, all most no friends or social life and I'm loosing a battle of health and school life. I'm afraid that I won't finish my VCE or have any hope to make it through the week. Can anyone reach out too me? please.
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im 15 with cfs too i feel i have no one i can relate to if you need someone to im here:) x ellie
January 27, 2013 - 2:16pmThis Comment
Ellie, that would be really nice, is there any way to message you?
January 29, 2013 - 11:16pmThis Comment
Try contacting ME/CFS Australia Victoria (http://www.mecfs-vic.org.au/). They have services available to help support you through your study and advocate on your behalf. There is also a support group for people under the age of 25, most are older than you but the majority of us have had to go through VCE with ME/CFS, whether studying less subjects or spreading the study-load over several years.
Where you live may affect whether you have a support group near you, they may be able to put you in contact with other teenagers with ME/CFS (I'd advise requesting them to give your contact details to other CFS teenagers in your area because they will be prohibited from passing their details on to you due to confidentiality).
ME/CFS Australia Victoria also have a newsletter with a contacts section you are able to add your details to (including specifying the type/age of person you are trying to get in contact with). This may also be another option.
It is well worth finding someone to chat to who understands what you're going through.
Good luck
November 22, 2012 - 11:08pmThis Comment
Thankyou Rosa, I have been looking for groups. Unfortunately it's been a round'a'bout goose chase in my area. Still looking online though. A though my doctor believes in chronic fatigue syndrome and knows my medical history she's becoming rather useless and is ignoring my pleases for relief. Shes only set on one of my alarming symptoms and is ignoring my other needs for months now. I wouldn't recommend her at this stage. What has chronic fatigue been like for you?
November 16, 2012 - 8:43amThis Comment
Hi Anon,
I'm so sorry that you have to fight this battle alone. Being a teenager can be tough on its own, being a teenager with CFS is even harder. Sometimes its a great idea to start a support group by making a flyer for a meeting or some pizza time (at your house, a park, a coffee shop) then give them to your doctor so that he can hand tell other teens with CFS to join you. Your doctor can't give you names or details of any of his other patients but the flyer for a meeting maintains privacy and leaves it up to the patient to decide whether or not they want to join you.
I also found a group on FB https://www.facebook.com/MECFSVicTasNTYouth
and you may want to search on meetup.com to see if there are groups that meet there as well.
Wishing you the best,
Rosa
November 16, 2012 - 7:43amThis Comment