Hi, new here :) I've been a CFS sufferer for nearly six years now. My illness was precipitated by mono- it seems like I've been sick ever since then with periods of remission every few months that last up to several days ("oh joy" she says with liberal sarcasm).

I went through multiple doctors who wanted to ascribe my symptoms to depression/anxiety (once I knew I wasn't going to be taken seriously I was out the door). Have had panels and panels of testing done, with the only interesting results being astronomically high ANA levels twice (though different percentages) and slightly elevated ANA levels twice. Because the last time I had my ANA levels checked the results were "slightly elevated", I'm now considered your run-of-the-mill CFS patient. Nothing further has been suggested, and the only explanation I've received for the extreme ANA fluctuations has been "different labs, fickle sort of test, you might've been carrying a virus that day, etc."

I also have a slightly elevated red blood cell count and my red blood cells are a little smaller than usual. Everything else has been normal.

When I first developed CFS I had been a long-time sufferer of social anxiety, OCD, and mild off-and-on-again depression. I was able to work beforehand, was optimistic, enjoying life, etc. Since then my mental health issues have gone through the roof, and I don't know if I should attribute it to the physical illness or attribute the CFS symptoms to mental health issues that, for whatever reason(s), became worse at that time.

My fatigue doesn't seem as if it's depression/anxiety related, since it sometimes feels as if I'm drugged, or tranquilized (this is without meds), and I feel as if I'm being pushed into the ground. I can hardly tolerate exercise and need at least 24 hrs. to recuperate afterwards. I feel semi-alert for a couple of hours every day, and then I barely have the energy to address my most basic needs. My cognitive functioning seems abnormally impaired compared to other depression/anxiety sufferers.

I can't concentrate any longer, so please pardon my abrupt ending. If anyone can relate to my situation, I'd love to hear from you. :)

Well, I have very little help to offer you as I'm still in the trying to get a dx phase. (I have most if not all of the criteria for CFS, but have yet to rule a few other things out first even though I've had a ton of bloodwork done.)

I'm sorry you're having such a rough time. I've been fatigued for almost 2 years now, and I know how it stinks. I used to enjoy writing but half of the time I feel so foggy that stringing a coherent sentence together is enough of a challenge, so I can relate to feeling cognitively impaired. If you're wondering which is causing which (between depression and CFS symptoms) Not sure if that's what you are looking for--if you are questioning your CFS diagnosis or just wondering if that has set off your depression somehow? (Sorry, my reading comprehension isn't so hot tonight, it's been a long day.) I read through it because at first my doctor was asking about depression, but seeing as the depression-like symptoms had only been around for the a few months and the fatigue 1.5+ years, I think it's more likely that the depression is a result of the fatigue and frustration plus a few life stressors.

Anyway, hope you get to feeling better (physically, mentally, etc.) Feel free to send me a message if you'd like to chat further. Err... do they even have private messaging on these forums? Don't think I've actually looked yet.


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Hi, new here :)
My fatigue doesn't seem as if it's depression/anxiety related, since it sometimes feels as if I'm drugged, or tranquilized (this is without meds), and I feel as if I'm being pushed into the ground. I can hardly tolerate exercise and need at least 24 hrs. to recuperate afterwards. I feel semi-alert for a couple of hours every day, and then I barely have the energy to address my most basic needs. My cognitive functioning seems abnormally impaired compared to other depression/anxiety sufferers.

I can't concentrate any longer, so please pardon my abrupt ending. If anyone can relate to my situation, I'd love to hear from you. :)

Chronic pain does bring on depression. Cognitive problems go along with CFS and are worse when tired. Are you taking anything to help you sleep? Or did I miss that?

It's really important to get at least 8 hrs sleep. I take Elavil and Klonopin but it has helped me. I have terrible cognitive problems. Very frustrating. All I can say is hang in there and remember, Drs are not Gods and can only do so much.