"My CFS/ME diagnosis"

I was diagnosed with ME/CFS in June 2020 after struggling with symptoms that suddenly appeared 8 months beforehand after a very prolonged protracted stressful time in my life. I had had 3 months off work and went back to work for 4 months still not feeling well. After 4 months back at work I relapsed and this coincided with me getting my diagnosis. Due to the relapse I had a further 4 months off work. After the diagnosis I was referred to the ME/CFS advanced Occupational Therapist. I had 7 one hour appointments via video call and I can honestly say I do not know how I would have coped without the support of Pru the therapist. She helped me come to terms with my diagnosis and the limits it now puts on my life. She helped me understand myself much more, and the pressures I put on myself and how to be kind to myself. She provided me with so much relevant and useful information on how to manage my symptoms, but also how to return back to work.

I was working 34.5 hours as a nurse pre-diagnosis, which was another stressor for me with the pandemic unfolding. But Pru gave me huge support in returning to back to work, highlighting my rights with a disability and wrote letters to support me. After a phased return and amended duties I have successfully been working 30 hours a week for the last 3 months.

I cannot do a lot of things physically that I used to do, but I now know not to push myself. However I have found lots of other things I can do instead and I really appreciate those things. Life can still be full and rewarding.

On my last appointment today we discussed my "CFS/Me Self Management Plan" This was a very comprehensive plan about my ME, how it affects me, what to look out for in terms of relapse, how I can manage things and what to do if I need further support. I am now very aware and mindful of the warning signs that I am overdoing things. It's very handy to have everything written down for reference. But also it highlights things about my condition which I might have otherwise tried to forget, but are important to remember. I am feeling cautiously optimistic that I can manage things in the future, and who knows, I may go on to make small but significant improvements to help me feel like my old self again. Whatever happens I have learnt a lot about myself through this process and it has been invaluable.

I cannot speakly highly enough of the service and really hope that this service will always continue to be there in the future to help support others who find themselves with this life changing diagnosis. It truly has been invaluable to me. Thank you so much!