RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Winter 2003  

One to One
Tips, strategies, ideas and helpful thoughts about CFIDS

Cook slow, save your juice

It’s very easy to use a slow cooker or crock pot. You can make one-dish meals that don’t require a lot of your energy for preparation or cleanup. The food comes out hot and delicious, and you can save the leftovers for another day.

Many cookbooks offer recipes for crock pots. You can also find some good ones online. Try this Web site: http://pages.ivillage.com/momof3add/crockpot.html.

If you’re having a really low-energy day, you can make a quick vegetable soup in your microwave. Combine one envelope of onion soup mix, one can of mixed vegetables and water. Pop it in the microwave for two minutes or so and you’re set.

A reader in Louisiana

Tape your visit

I have found that taking a tape recorder to the doctor’s office can be very beneficial. Because of brain fog, I am not always able to remember everything the doctor tells me. If it’s on tape, I can always play it back later to remember his advice and instructions.

It can also help document your case history. I have found that sometimes the symptoms I describe to the doctor are not always recorded accurately in your medical records. Keeping a tape of what you say can help if there are disputes later with insurance companies.

A reader in Michigan

Plugging away

I’ve had CFIDS for 10 years. When I feel mentally overloaded, my solution is earplugs, earplugs, earplugs. They are a quick helper to block out noise and other distractions.

Kenji Oshima, California

Disability Web site

The DisabledPerson.com Web site offers a variety of information to people with CFIDS and other disabling conditions. The site includes feature stories, health tips, disability news, resources, online chat rooms and other information. The Web address is http:// www.disabledperson.com.

Beware of look-alike illnesses

For a year and a half, I thought I was having a severe CFIDS relapse. Last January I slept the month away. Finally, I caught on that I might be sick — with more than CFIDS. 

I went to the doctor for some tests. The results showed a couple of unusual things, such as liver enzyme levels that were too high. At the same time, a good friend bought me a glucometer so I could check my blood sugar. I was in for the shock of my life! My levels were very high.

Terrified, I went back to the doctor, who did not like the glucometer readings I’d taken. He confirmed my fear: I had diabetes. 

CFIDS had blinded me to the diagnosis. For months I thought, “This increased fatigue is just another CFIDS surprise.” But think of how much we must rest; for some of us that means weight gain, a predisposing factor for diabetes. Too often, due to post-exertional malaise, we’re unable to exercise as diabetes prevention. It’s a set-up!

I was in danger of a diabetes-induced coma but I explained it away as a CFIDS relapse. Increased fatigue and poor vision for months and months; those are CFIDS symptoms, aren’t they?

Yes, these may be CFIDS symptoms. But they may the signs of another illness masquerading as a CFIDS relapse. Make sure you are checked annually for look-alike illnesses such as diabetes. Having CFIDS can be hard enough, but adding to the struggle is terrible.

Thanks to my friend with the glucometer, I now have a list of CFIDS-doable meals. Fresh vegetables are doing wonders for my sugar level and my weight. I’m down a size already!

Carole Howard, Illinois