"Getting advice about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome"

Eighteen to twenty four months ago I started to feel on occasions extreme tiredness & fatigue.  I put it down to my B12 deficiency kicking in early.  I normally get a booster B12 vaccination every 12 weeks.  I eventually decided that I have a need to discuss this with my GP, as this fatigue problem was increasing & becoming more common as the months went by.   After a number of visits to my doctor to discuss this problem I was referred for an ultrasound scan on my lower abdomen.  The conclusion was that I had a large & fatty liver.   Was this the cause of my fatigue & tiredness ?  The doctors advice was that it was possible & until I receive further consultation & due to Covid 19 restrictions goodness knows when this will happen. And until I receive this consultation I or we cannot be sure.  My doctor whom I may add has been most helpful & thorough dealing with my health problems also advised that I could be suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.   My first thought was what on earth was this.  To my doctor the comment was what prescription can you give to eliminate this problem.  This is when my positive thoughts took a knock, when advised if my fatigue problem is the result of chronic fatigue syndrome there is no cure.  All I can do is manage the problem.  Easier said than done, particularly when approaching 73 years of age.  

My doctor then put a question to me do I wish to discuss this health problem with an Occupational Therapist.  Again confusion reigned when this suggestion was put to me.  Occupational Therapist, what is that.   The doctor advised that my discussions with the therapist could assist me in managing the fatigue problem. This I agreed to, although I  admit I was utterly & totally skeptical of this move.  A thought I did relay to my therapist after a few weeks of discussions.   Anyway my answer to the doctor was yes of course what have I got to lose by discussing this problem with the Occupational Health Therapist.

My discussion or should I say my telephone conversation started on 21 January with Miss Corrie, who is located at Viewpark Health Centre. She after my discussions provided me with a a print out which gave an introduction to Chronic Fatigue problem.  And more important in my opinion on the print out how to overcome & deal with this problem.   One section in this print out was the heading Challenge Distorted All or Nothing or Catastrophic thinking.  believe it or not when the fatigue was occurring my thoughts were starting run crazy.  I could see no way out of this problem & it was a case of my thoughts my feelings going into overdrive &  ever decreasing circles.

To cut a long story short the advice received from Miss Corrie was very helpful.  including the need to monitor my diet, which I may add was not dreadful but could be improved.   Gentle & measured exercise rather than go like a bull at a gate.  

To conclude, my fatigue problem is still there & occurs whenever it feels like it.  But with the advice Miss Corrie provided, I am more content with myself.  I am not saying I have  come across with a miracle cure. But managing the problem undoubtedly helps. And strongly recommended to anyone with this problem.  Particularly anyone who may be sceptical of having discussions on health problems