About Me
This site is dedicated to give you hope, courage, and information, on ways to live with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and related illnesses.
My name is Catherine Morgan, I’m a writer, nurse, and mother. I’m also living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other chronic illnesses.
Here are some posts I have written about my struggles with chronic illness…
One Lesson From A Decade of Fighting Chronic Illness
Where in the world did my memory go? Could a vitamin B12 deficiency be to blame?
Blood Pressure Problems Associated with CFS
Chronic Illness and Depression – What came first?
painting by © joansheartart
——————————————————————————————–
——————————————————————————————–
picture by © suzy1951
One thing I will never do is give up hope. Not just that I get well someday, although I do hope and pray for that. What I refuse to give up hope about, is that I am here for a purpose. I will never give up hope that I will one day see the blessing, and see the purpose, in what I now can only see as suffering. I believe in my heart that we are all here for a very important reason, it’s just that many of us aren’t quite sure what that reason is, and that’s o.k. We just can’t give up hope that one day we will see the light, and it will all make complete sense to us….on my dark and sad days, that is what I try to remember.
——————————————————————————————–
I will not be invisible anymore. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has taken a lot from me, but I still have my voice, and I will be heard. With my voice I hope to help bring awareness and visibility to a disease that has been misunderstood and ignored for too long.
On May 16th and 17th the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee will meet in Washington, D.C. where a dedicated group of top CFS experts and advocates – will report on the latest research findings and patient needs, and submit budget allocation recommendations to the Secretary of HHS.
I was hoping to attend this meeting and give a five minute statement to the committee, as both a patient and an advocate of this disease. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons I will be unable to attend. However, the committee has agreed to enter my statement into the record, and for this I am very grateful.
The following is my statement…
A STATEMENT TO THE CFS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
FROM: Catherine Morgan — I am a 40 year-old patient with CFS, a mother, and a nurse (although unable to work as a nurse due to my medical problems).
Although, I wish I had been able to attend this meeting in person, I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to submit this written statement.
Being a single mother is not easy under any circumstances, but being a single mother with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has been particularly difficult. I have been suffering with this insidious cluster of debilitating symptoms (referred to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), for over ten years. But it has only been more recently that I have come to accept that this condition isn’t going away. The funny thing is, even though I am caught in the middle of mourning for the person I might have been, and accepting the person I am, I’ve begun to feel hopeful. Hopeful because, by letting go of the burden of needing to be cured, I am also letting go of the idea that if I just got more sleep, or got more exercise, or took the right combination of medications, or found the right doctor, that somehow I would be better. This thought process is exactly what keeps someone with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome down. It puts a judgment on them, that they are somehow responsible and this is not true. So, letting go of this type of destructive thinking is half the battle with this disease. And I think that is why this type of awareness (that is being done here today) is so important.
I believe we can all agree on the importance of research so that a diagnostic tool can be found, and a treatment developed. However, what is equally important, but continues to be overlooked, is the acceptance by doctors that this is a “real” medical condition and not an “emotional” problem.
Are many people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome depressed? Of course they are. Anyone suffering from a chronic debilitating medical condition, is most likely going to have some degree of sadness, anxiety, or depression associated with it. A physician wouldn’t dream of telling a patient with Lupus that depression is the cause of their disease, but surely there are many patients with Lupus that are also depressed. And by all means depression, whether associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or any other medical condition, needs to be addressed and treated. Depression is a symptom associated with this disease, not the cause of this disease. By “blaming” this disease on depression, or any other “emotional” disorder…Well, that is simply “blaming” the patient for their disease, and that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
The truth is, doctors become doctors for the same reason I became a nurse, so they can help people. And, I think doctors feel helpless when they have a patient that they can’t “fix”. Herein lies the problem. Patients can not, and should not have to WAIT to receive compassion and treatment from their doctors, until scientific research has found a way to cure them. Just as I have come to accept my condition, doctors must come to accept this condition and treat the patients and their symptoms accordingly.
There is so much a doctor can do to help a patient with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The most important is to accept them and their diagnosis. Don’t tell them you don’t believe in the diagnosis. What purpose does that serve, other than to degrade them? Second, do not pass judgment on the patient for their condition. Treat patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome the same way you would treat anyone else with a chronic medical condition, with respect and dignity. We are not just patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, we are human beings. Third, work together with the patient to address the specific symptoms of their disease. It doesn’t matter what you call this disease, a physician CAN treat the patient and their symptoms regardless of what the name of the disease is. A physician CAN treat the patient and their symptoms regardless of whether research has found a cause or cure for the disease.
These are simple things, that could be implemented right now. Today is what matters to us. Today is all any of us have. Help us get through today, then tomorrow, and then help us take one day at a time towards being as well as we can be, given our disease. If you can do that, you will be making a huge difference in our lives… Anything less, is tantamount to “doing harm”. So please – Do No Harm – that is all I ask.
Thank you.
Catherine Morgan
Livingwithcfs.wordpress.com
——————————————————————————————-
If you would like to know more about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, please see the following YouTube video.
The video aims to help the friends and family of ME/CFS (including Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome) sufferers understand the illness and what their loved ones are going through. To view a clearer, larger version of the video, visit: http://www.sleepydust.net
ALSO SEE:
Personal Stories of People Living With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Coping With Loneliness When You Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Why Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Has Little To Do With Fatigue
——————————————————————————————-
LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF MYSELF — a poem
picture by © cloud9999
———————————
a poem
Although I fight it, it is never far from me, because it is me.
Living with chronic illnesses that ravage my body, and prevent me from being the person I have always wanted to be.
My former self sits in the shadow of these illnesses, weeping with the sad reality that there is no escape from them.
Suffering from a debilitating condition, that is virtually invisible to the outside world, but still hoping someone will see me….here in my own shadow.
But even if someone did open their eyes and see me, it would still be impossible for them to grab onto it, for it is only a shadow of who I am.
So for now, I must learn to live here, in the shadow of myself, and try to find peace.
also see: It’s not easy…..to be….me.
Helpful Information From The CDC
One Lesson From A Decade Of Fighting Chronic Illness
What Should You Do If You Think You Have CFS?
torioreo said
i’m afraid that i may have cfs…but i don’t know how to bring this up to my doctor.
Catherine Morgan said
Hi “Torioreo” –
CFS is very hard to diagnose, it is usually considered a “diagnosis of exclusion”. If you do have CFS or FM, you will have been suffering with many symptoms, and fatigue is just one of them. I suggest you write down all of your symptoms, how severe they have been, and how long you have had them. You may or may not have CFS, but any good doctor will run certain test, and try you on some treatments for what ever your symptoms may be.
Many times the symptoms appear to be depression, and your doctor may want to start by trying you on some treatments for depression. This was the case for me, in-fact as a nurse myself, I called my doctor and told her I thought I must be depressed, because I just couldn’t get out of bed. After several months of trying different anti-depressants (this is normal, because you can be depressed and one anti-depressant works while another does not, it is a matter of trial and error), but when no medication worked and my symptoms became worse it was clear more tests needed to be done. For me it was a matter of over a year of tests, treatments, and my symptoms getting worse….before I ended up in the hospital, and finally getting a diagnosis.
I would approach your doctor with all the “evidence” of your condition, this would be the list you make with your symptoms, and how long you have had them. DON’T try to tell the doctor you have CFS, let the doctor examine you, run test, and try treatments based on your medical condition and symptoms. If you don’t get better or get worse, the diagnostic tests your doctor runs should increase in order to rule-out other conditions such as MS, Lupus, Lyme….there are so, so, so, many things you could have other than CFS. No good doctor should just say, “oh, you have CFS”…..you really do need to make sure you don’t have any of these other conditions, that you would need to begin treatment for as soon as possible.
If you do end up being diagnosed with CFS or FM, a good doctor will tell you that currently there is NO cure, but they will be able to treat many of your symptoms, and you may be able to feel quite a bit better. (DON’T LET ANYONE TELL YOU THEY HAVE A “MIRACLE CURE” THAT THE MEDICAL DOCTORS WON’T TREAT YOU WITH)…I DO believe in “alternative” modalities of treatment (ie: acupuncture, meditation, herbs, energy healing, etc….just to name a few)…but these treatments should be used in conjunction with conventional medical treatments and with your physicians awareness. Many people are making a lot of money “claiming” to have cures for CFS, (believe me, I have spent my share of money on these types of things as well). Just try to keep in mind all the commercials you see on TV for “miracle diet pills”…..the only “miracle” is the profits these companies are making off of people that want to believe they can lose weight just by taking a pill. As long as there is no “real cure” for something, there will always be someone willing to sell you a “fake cure”. Get “real” medical treatment, and if your doctor thinks alternative treatments would be helpful, then do it…don’t do it on your own….you may get worse.
I would suggest you use your current doctor, unless you don’t have one or you don’t like the one you have. If you need to find a doctor, just find a good doctor at this point, you don’t need to find a doctor specializing in CFS….you just need to find a good doctor. I hope this information was helpful, and I wish you luck. If you do find out you have CFS, there is a lot of good information for both patients and their doctors, on this site and many others.
Catherine Morgan said
I also made a post tonight based on this question, and my response. There is additional information at the end of that post, that is not mentioned in this comment. You can see the post by clicking to this link…
http://livingwithcfs.wordpress.com/2007/03/21/cfs-and-fm-what-should-you-do-if-you-think-you-have-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-ratemdscom/
bamasteelmagnolia said
I was first diagnosed with CFS in 1990. Subsequently, Blue Cross/Blue Shield refused to pay for any of my health care related to the syndrome because they said it was a “mental issue” and not covered. Of course, I went round and round with them, giving them facts about research etc. I finally threw my hands up in disgust and told them dealing with them would make anyone “mental” and asked what I needed to do. They said, “Have the doctor change the diagnosis.” So, long story short, my physician removed the word “syndrome” from chronic fatigue and “voila”, the bill was paid! Of course, this little episode only contributed to the stress and fatigue I felt!
Since then, I have been a two time non-smoking lung cancer surviver (both lungs); have been diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome, FMS, hypothyroidism, connective tissue disorder, Raynaud’s syndrome, premature menopause, PTSD, panic and anxiety disorder…the list goes on…really too many to list…oh yes, and CFS.
Thank you for this blog site and I plan on adding it to my blogroll.
Bev
Catherine Morgan said
Hi Bev…..Thanks so much for your comment. It sounds like you have been through an awful lot….(my CFS is only the tip of the iceberg of medical conditions as well)…..but, all in all….You sound like a surviver.
Best of luck….I hope you will comment on other posts as well.
I also like to let people know….If there is an issue that you would like more information on, or more discussion on…please let me know in comments. I really want to mold this site around the needs of my readers…..so don’t be shy.
Thanks,
Catherine.
give me nrg said
A Humble Launch
Ladies and Gentlemen (or, search engine computer, because no-one else has found this place yet). I present to you this blog. It’s for anyone who suffers from fatigue (be it from CFS, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Fibromyalgia, Depression etc… I won…
Dan said
Hi,
My name is Dan and I am the webmaster of a health blog called health.infoniac.com. I am looking for partners for my blog and I like your blog. That is why I would like to exchange links with you. If you think positive about my proposal, feel free to add the link to my blog and contact me so I could add your link to my blog.
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
Dan.
lydia martinez said
hello,I have more of a question than a comment.I’ve been diagnosed with depression for 12 years,but about 6 years ago after a bad bout with the flu, it seems my body never recovered. I’ve had recurrent extreme fatigue,mild fevers,sore throat,and terrible muscle aches,memory loss to the point i can’t work.My dr.keeps saying its the depression,but i don’t feel depressed.( I’m on medication).I really can’t afford to go another dr., I’m curious, do you think you can have depression and cfs seperately? thank you
Vera said
INFO FOR LYDIA or ANYONE WHO THINKS THEY MAY HAVE FIBROMYALGIA/CFS. I am giving you a link to test yourself by pressing 18 points on your body and if they are “tender” (painful)then you more than likely have it. This is the same test I did on myself before I was ever formally diagnosed.
http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/Fibromyalgia.htm
NOTE: you may have to copy and paste the above web address.
Hope this helps.
chronic chick said
Hi I ran acrocss your site again, You refrenced my other site a while back, thank you. I enjoy reading all your great information. I added the blocher a while back and forgot about it.. Life with alll this stuff does that.. Hope you have a good day..
Kathlene Carney said
Hi Catherine,
I apologize for contacting you through your comments section but I couldn’t find another way of reaching you.
Is this anything you might be interested in for one of your blogs? Tranquileyes is a new product that has been proven to help dry eye sufferers and in fact is now available at the Mayo Clinic in MN. Tranquileyes creator Suzanne Paulson is available for interviews and/or can provide a guest blog on dry eye symptoms, causes, and treatments.
Thank you!
Kathlene Carney
Are Your Eyes Thirsty?
For Millions, the Answer is Yes
Approximately 77 million Americans suffer from symptoms of dry eye and the number grows daily. For millions, dry eye is a chronic condition that can significantly impact the way they live and sleep. Many experience symptoms such as irritation, burning and itching, and don’t even realize the underlying cause is dry eye.
Causes of dry eye include contact lens use, computer use, allergies, medications, menopause, medical conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome and most commonly, normal aging. Lasik surgery can also cause dry eye, in fact recent hearings revealed this side effect may be much more prevalent than previously believed.
There’s no cure for dry eye, only treatments. In the past, the standard treatment methods were limited to artificial tears, ointments or surgery. But Tranquileyes Eye Hydrating Therapy is a new, proven method for naturally relieving symptoms of dry eyes, and is found in some of the most prestigious medical institutions in the country including the Mayo Clinic in MN.
Tranquileyes provides immediate and long lasting relief from dry, irritated eyes. Unlike other treatments, the tranquileyes mask naturally restores moisture by increasing humidity around the eye, which prevents the evaporation of natural tears. The increased humidity also improves overall eye health by thickening the lipid layer, thereby restoring your eyes’ defense against evaporation and leaving them feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Treating eye dryness is not only important for your comfort and vision, but also for your eyes’ health. Besides lubricating the eye, the tear film helps fight infection, provides nourishment, and creates a smooth surface on the cornea, keeping your vision clear. Left untreated, the cornea can become damaged, which can lead to pain, blurred vision, and even blindness.
You can learn more about dry eye here, http://www.eyeeco.com/index.php?file=about_dryeyes. Additional press materials and samples are available to reviewers upon request.
Thank you,
Kathlene Carney for
EyeEco.com
ABOUT EYE ECO:
Eye Eco founder Suzanne Paulson first heard about severe dry eye and Sjögren’s Syndrome directly from individuals suffering from the disease. She was so moved by their stories that she had to do something to help. Using her background of fifteen years as a pioneer in the eye care industry, Suzanne developed the tranquileyes eye hydrating method – and thus, her company was born. Eye Eco is committed to giving back to the community and donates a percentage of net sales to organizations dedicated to finding a cure for Sjögren’s and other diseases known to cause chronic dry eye conditions.
Samantha said
That picture of you, I clicked on to enlarge. You can see the pain and suffering in your eyes.
I’m suffering with an undiagnosed illness, and can see that look in your eye of pain.
If only there was a simple and effective cure
xxxxx
Undiagnosed Illness
Mike Burlingame said
Feedback on Living With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
I visited your blog, Living With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome located at http://livingwithcfs.wordpress.com/ recently. I must say, I’m quite impressed by the blog’s content. In particular, I really liked http://livingwithcfs.wordpress.com/2008/07/30/are-you-at-risk-for-an-accidental-drug-overdose/.
Good job!
I’d like to know if you’d be interested in having me as a guest writer for your blog. I am a features writer working with MiracleFruitPlus.com. I’d like to write a free 300 to 400 word blog entry for you. I have a few years experience and would really enjoy writing one or two guest blog entries for your blog.
If you’d like to take me up on my offer, please send me a topic and a quick outline of what you’d like the article to say. Please give me as much detail as possible so I can make the blog entry meet your specifications as much as possible.
In exchange for this free blog entry, I would like to request a linkback to MiracleFruitPlus in the body of the blog entry somewhere using the title tag “miracle fruit.”
I look forward to your response
Best Regards,
Mike Burlingame
Dr. Linda Kennedy MS SLP ND said
Good Day,
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dr. Linda Kennedy and I write articles in the areas of both natural and standard health care.
I ran across your website and enjoyed it immensely. Yours is a unique website and so absolutely touching and inspiring to those with CFS everywhere.
I run a natural health care practice and also own my own laboratory where we produce custom nutritional supplements. More and more my CFS caseload increases.
I would like to offer you a professional article for your website (no advertising and no charge) which would be unique content for your website and published nowhere else.
I no longer place my written work on ezines as I have had articles published up to 100 times.
This does neither the website owner nor the article writer a bit of good as the search engines simply dump the duplicate content.
I typically place 2-3 links either in the article body or the author bio which point back to our non-competitive website. They do not need to be bold or colored by any means.
I usually choose a topic that I feel would benefit you and your readers, but if you seek specific material please ask.
I look forward to serving both you and your readers.
Sincerely,
Dr. Linda Kennedy MS SLP ND
706-265-2372
Tracy Morris said
Dear Catherine,
I came across your website and am impressed with all of the great information you’ve got to help others suffering with chronic health problems.
In 2009, more than 11,000 U.S. women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and nearly 4,000 women will die of this preventable disease. I’m working with the Pearl of Wisdom Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer (www.PearlofWisdom.us), which wants every woman to know that cervical cancer is preventable – using the Pap test, the HPV test and the HPV vaccine. On Mother’s Day (May 10), we want women everywhere to wear a Pearl of Wisdom, the global symbol for cervical cancer prevention, and help get the word out that this cancer is beatable.
Will you help us by posting our campaign button to your webpage? You can get a button at http://www.pearlofwisdom.us/show_your_support/banners. And, if you send me a link to your blog, we’ll include you on the Pearl of Wisdom campaign’s website.
More information on the campaign and our partners is at http://www.PearlofWisdom.us.
Thanks very much for considering this. And as a special thank you, if you’ll send me your mailing address, I’d love to send you a free Pearl of Wisdom pin for you to wear – and share – on Mother’s Day!
Best regards,
Tracy Morris
neil ziefflie said
i read your statment and after 10 years of cfs i am understanding it more and maybee there is hope . great web site thanks