kiya

I have been ill for around four years now and am not really any closer to a diagnosis. It doesn't help that I rarely see a doctor, but I don't like to go because each time I do I'm told it's probably "mild depression".

A few years ago I started to feel tired. Not usual tiredness but more of a fatigue that completely sapped my energy. I make myself do all the stuff I used to do and more, and at the end of the day I'm completely exhausted. It's like I have what I call my "background fatigue" (which is always there) and "exertional fatigue" (which I get from working or socialising etc., which is alleviated by a night's sleep). At the same time, I started experiencing pins and needles in my hands and arms during the night which woke me up. Although I don't get this so much anymore, my eyesight has been deteriorating and I often get blurring of my vision (I wear glasses, but get the blurriness when I'm wearing them). I also have continuously cold hands and feet. Sometimes I get unbearable aches in my legs and I always get aches in my legs when I climb stairs.

For the past 3 months or so I've been having problems with my balance. It feels like things are 'dropping' away from me - say, a table in front of me will look like it's constantly falling away. I keep tripping over my feet and feeling giddy, even when I'm sitting down.

Amazingly, I don't feel depressed. I enjoy my job, have a good network of close friends and enjoy socialising. I just feel frustrated with things how they are. I had a tentative diagnosis of CFS/ME about 5 months after I first went to the doctor. I've also had another doctor suggest I might be hypothyroid. But no one seems to want to help or give advice as to how I can improve my symptoms. I also recently came across information about MS and wondered whether my symptoms fit that.

It's all very confusing. Any enlightenment gratefully appreciated!