Maybe this is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.....(part 4 Becoming Alternative Weirdos)

At this point we decided to become proactive - Lauren started reading, reading, reading. We went to our first Naturopath we listened to tapes/CDs & watched videos/DVDs and went to seminars about health. We decided that we already knew what would happen if we didn’t do anything besides listen to GPs and Specialists.

Strangely enough it was at this point of research that we discovered Lauren also had diagnosable Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. We were surprised because Lauren’s symptoms were manageable with our slower lifestyle at the time and compared to Craig’s were nothing to complain about so she had never sought medical help. We found out by doing a questionnaire, like the one on the CFIDS Association of America website.

So what did we have to lose? We became alternative health “weirdos” and we started to see results. We got rid of all chemicals in the house, our food, our personal care products. We changed our diet cutting out sugar, yeast, lactose and gluten. We went as raw as we could and we started taking supplements.

Lauren’s results were much faster than Craig’s understandably. But Craig’s return to work this time was a lot faster and more permanent.

Maybe this is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.....(part 3 Round 2)

We were married in January 2003. Craig began full time study at Moore Theological College that year. He claimed at the time he was running at about 80% capacity with continuing moderate symptoms. Still not much energy for extra activities. Being an introvert that generally meant not much socialising as it was too exhausting. Lauren had a mild nervous breakdown around June. It took the better part of the rest of the year & a lot of counseling for her to recover. God carried us & we rejoice that he gave us that time as he was preparing us for what was to come

In February 2004 after 1 day of 2nd year College Craig was struck down with a “mystery” virus. Once again he was bed-ridden, needing physical assistance to make it from the bedroom to the bathroom, unable to leave the house. All his previous symptoms were present in their severest form. Once again the recovery was painfully slow but this time he knew not to rush anything.

Tests showed he’d already had all the scary viral diseases over the last 4 years without realising it. However, he still didn’t have thyroid problems, fibromyalgia, anemia, Lyme disease, lupus, MS, hepatitis, sleep disorders or depression.

The diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was more frustrating the second time.
It came with the knowledge and understanding that it had already been 4 years and it hadn’t gone away.