ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue): What It Is, Why It Happens, and Why Recovery Is So Complex

Comments · 796

• MA

  @mammagamesoldschool2323 · 1 month ago

  The guilt I feel for being too tired to do things or get out of bed is overwhelming

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• ME

  @melissalbennett · 1 month ago

  I don’t have to imagine it. This is my life and no one seems to care. Providers have no answers, no help, no solutions.

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• SU

  @susansaadati6998 · 1 month ago

  When I get up from sleeping, I feel like I was run over by a truck. Never rested.

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• RJ

  @rjohnson6846 · 2 months ago (edited)

  Drs ignore me when I say I’m fatigued. They insist I’m depressed.

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• DR

  @Dreamer-by4nk · 1 month ago

  I’m 65 and have been dealing with this for years. I don’t go to doctors about it because it goes no where and too expensive. I’m retired now so I can rest when I need to. Working got harder just trying to get through the week. Weekends were spent in bed. People don’t understand. This guy explains it.

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• GR

  @grlth · 1 month ago

  The amount of times he says CSF, instead of CFS, blows my fog ridden brain.

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• SA

  @sammyz9394 · 1 month ago

  I’ve had this for almost ten years now. I have seen so many doctors, specialists and therapists and they all give me the same blank look on their face when I’m trying to explain what I go through to them. I’ve been told all kinds of things that just make me go home, isolate and cry out to God for help. Not only do I hear it from doctors but from friends and family as well. I finally just gave up trying to explain it to anyone. It’s way too complicated for anyone to really imagine. I stick to my primary care doctor who actually knows something about it and the one or two people left in my life that know there’s something very physically wrong with me. I don’t even try talking to anyone else about it anymore. It’s too hurtful to see their facial expressions and hear their very misguided comments. The worst thing doctors have done is say it’s depression. Am I depressed, absolutely, but it’s because my entire way of life was stolen from me by this illness. I was not depressed before I got sick!!!! Anyone who wakes up to this reality day after day after day would be depressed. I wish more doctors would understand this.

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• KI

  @kimrider7204 · 4 months ago

  I think you're saying- "me/CSF and it's ME/CFS.  Personally I feel we as patients would be better served if the CFS WAS DROPPED ALTOGETHER.  Im 6 years in and desperate for treatments.  I've lost hope and won't be going much further which scares me tremendously but I have no life quality.

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• RA

  @RaidenB · 2 months ago

  This video spoke to me like I've never been spoken to before, I almost want to cry.

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• KA

  @Katie-e7m8g · 2 months ago

  Correct… my mum caught ME (Yuppy flu  as know many years ago) age 24 (post glandular fever) now 65yrs old) always suffering flu like symptoms, and will wear ‘sunglasses’ when no sun! I can see when she’s suffering, her eyes have a glazed, bloodshot look! She would cancel her birthday meals, etc! Mum, would feel awful….ignorant doctors were very dismissive!! Mum’s suffered 40yrs of this zapper to health! Usually on a daily basis… Epstein-Bar virus showed up in her blood, there’s always other symptoms. daily headaches. Given I’ve grown up with mum suffering,it’s definitely not ‘all in her head’! Wishing everyone peace xxx

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• RA

  @rachs57 · 2 months ago

  Diagnosed in 1991 with fibromyalgia. I don't have to list the meds prescribed, the shame heaped on me by different medical exxperts, but I kept going. I was able to keep going by listening to my body. I learned to 'pace', regulate body temp with hot showers (the chills brrrr), taking quality B complex daily, magnesium. Then a new GP diagnosed ME/CFS in 2025, but I'm now retired and thoroughly exhausted at 73. It will be long after I'm gone before this disease is understood. Thank you Dr. Kaplan for explaining things in a concise and compassionate manner. I will continue to listen to you as a guide.

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• NO

  @NorthwestMagic-o8w · 3 weeks ago

  I had a boyfriend who got this, in 1991.  It was like he had the flu every day.  I watched this vibrant active man turn into rubber.  He went from Dr. to Dr. for someone to help him. It destroyed his live, our future.  He lost his job being unable to work.  He started a CFS support group at a local hospital.  He died in 2010.  Ed was 56.  I pray for everyone who is touched by this disease.

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