Does anyone here have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

I'm 16 and I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It's very difficult, and I have depression to go along with it. Does anyone who has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or had it have any methods that you used to overcome it?

I have something that is almost exactly like CFS but it involves blood pressure and some other stuff too. I'm really sorry that you have CFS! It is really difficult to deal with this, I'm sure, especially when it is usually not very well understood by people.
The best way to overcome CFS that I know of is to exercise. That may not mean getting out and running if you are not up to that. For me sometimes it is just sitting up longer than I think I can. I have found aquatic therapy to really help too. See if you can get into a physical therapy program where they understand Graded exercise therapy. Graded exercise therapy basically means that you will be evaluated for your ideal level of exercise and they will work with you there. That way you won't get too tired and worse off from exercise. Over time, you will see that you are able to do more and more.
If you are really ambitions, or live nearby, there is a program at the Mayo clinic that I have heard works wonders! It combines exercising and a few other things in an outpatient context (so you don't have to stay in the hospital!) I would love to participate, but its too far away and too expensive.
Hang in there! Things will get better! :0) If you ever want to chat with other teens/young adults with medical conditions check out http://www.starbrightworld.org/ and http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/. Good luck! :0)

CFS is a 'syndrome', which means the Dr's haven't figured out what is causing your symptoms. There are dozens of bacterial and viral infections that can cause CFS. Before you can treat CFS, you need to identify what you have. For example low thyroid or Epstein Barr Virus (Mono) could cause your symptoms, but is sometimes not diagnosed or misdiagnosed. Some of these infections will alter your body chemistry at the cellular level, causing depression.

The right Dr. will be able to narrow the potential causes down from your specific symptoms and initial screening tests. You should see an Infectious Disease Specialist, or an internal Medicine Dr. to get the correct blood tests and treatment. Most General Practitioner Dr's will not have the specialized knowledge to help you.

You can also take minerals and vitamins to boost your immune system to help your body fight this. In the newsletter link below, look for the Dr. Dana Flavin article. Although this article is specifically for EBV, the nutrients listed are immune boosters and provide liver protection and will help with a variety of illnesses.

Good Luck and get lots of rest.

I have chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia and sjrogrens. I think you can't have cfs without fibro or fibro without cfs. they are almost one on one as far as symptoms with the exception of pain. cfs don't cause pain. or at least mine don't i think. you can not fully over come it, but there are ways to learn how to deal with it. your very young and you don't mention getting any kind of depression help like from a counslor or dr. or medication. Unless you get the help you need it will probably be a long time before you can adapt. don't let this disease control you remember your in control of your body. if your having a bad day just go with the flow and then maybe tomorrow will be better. you can survive. i am 53 and have this auto immune stuff since my early 30's i have battled this now for over 20 years. it is hard .i send you all the encouragement i can and educate yourself, read about it and that is one way to see what you can do. go to the library they have books on this. Good luck. diane in ga.i