Doing Well

I’ve now had my third visit to the “CFS Discovery” clinic here in Melbourne – an odd name, but a fortunate discovery for me. Three months into my “detox” diet, initiated following a diagnosis of fructose intolerance by the clinic, I am doing well. In fact I’m doing far better than I ever expected, and I’m enormously grateful that this clinic exists. The doctors, nurses, and other clinic staff are terrific – professional, competent, thorough, and friendly. Following additional tests my diagnosis of “ME/CFS” has been confirmed using the Canadian Consensus Criteria. (A word here: the clinic uses the CCC and not the stricter Nightingale definition of ME; the clinic also uses the term “CFS”, however they treat the disease on a strictly biological/physical basis.) I will give further details of my diagnosis and test results in a later post. At the moment I’m still reading through the results and information given me by the clinic, and organizing all the medicines and supplements that have been prescribed.

Physically I’m now able to go out most days. I can attend meetings and classes (I’m taking a Spanish evening class), and can once again enjoy sitting in a restaurant or café (I can’t actually consume anything they offer, but my extreme noise sensitivity is gone) talking to friends. I can go for a walk or wander around the shops for one to two hours. I frequently skip my afternoon rest, and I sleep 7 – 8 hours a night. I must still stay within my limits – when I try to do too much (a yoga class, too much socializing) then I need more rest and the brain fog/general malaise returns. I am still sick, but the difference between now and a year ago is huge.  I have added a range of vitamins and supplements to my diet, but haven’t yet begun taking prescription medication (soon to begin). It is clear that in my case at least, the fructose intolerance (and possibly also celiac disease) is a key factor in my illness. I advise anyone and everyone with any kind of “mystery” ailment to get tested for food intolerances, fructose and lactose malabsorption, and to test for celiac disease. These problems remain unrecognized and under-diagnosed. 

Melbourne city center: after losing another 3kg since April, my once too-tight clothes are now looking decidedly baggy!