Thank you for posting. It takes considerable courage to say even as much as you've said, in this forum. It sounds like you don't have the same form of CFS tha

Thank you for posting. It takes considerable courage to say even as much as you've said, in this forum. It sounds like you don't have the same form of CFS that I do. I have the sudden-onset type: one week I categorically didn't have it, then I had what seemed like an ordinary flu-like viral illness, not noticeably different from others I had had, but then a couple of weeks later, when I tried to resume my previous level of physical activity (running and biking), I was hit with the brain fog and post-exertional malaise -- even a brisk walk was enough to bring it on. I was under considerable emotional stress at the time, embroiled in a serious dispute with a family member, and between jobs. I'm sure that all that stress had something to do with my contracting the CFS. That's not to say I think it was just stress; rather, the stress weakened me in some way that allowed this thing, whatever it is (EBV?), to get a foothold. As you say, the body is not separate from the mind. My doctor was sympathetic, and put me on an antiviral drug, valacyclovir, for a few years. It helped some, I believe, but wasn't a complete cure. I have also pursued some alternative approaches, primarily breathwork, which I still do occasionally. My symptoms have always been a lot milder than those some experience -- I've never been bedridden -- and they're now even milder. It's to the point that as long as I'm careful not to go too fast on the bicycle I can function as if I didn't have the disease at all, but if I overexert myself I am rudely reminded that it isn't completely gone. Anyway, thanks again for your story. I still find it heartening and inspiring even though it sounds like your illness had a different cause than mine. I wish you continued healing.