Rapid onset CFS/Fibromyalgia sufferer makes full recovery and shares her shocking journey
Some people become bedbound with ME/CFS or Fibromyalgia during periods of their illness. But imagine the shock of becoming bedbound with MECFS/Fibromyalgia, OVERNIGHT!
That was Sayaha’s shocking experience with rapid onset CFS which was followed with Fibromyalgia very soon after that. She had to be flown halfway across the world to Japan 8 weeks later and ended up being hospitalised for tests.
Whilst sudden onset or rapid is not rare at all, Sayaha’s story certainly demonstrates the severe and frightening impact that ME/CFS/Fibromyalgia can have on patients. The sudden prospect of losing your life-long passion as well as ambitions and dreams. You don’t have to be an athlete to get that, we all experience it.
At the 16 minute mark, the conversation shifts towards recovery. It was a bumby journey for Sayaha like it is for most recoverers, but here is a great example of why listening to these interviews is so valuable. Because the insights are not in (I did this or that), they are always in the subtle shifts and changes in strategy that you will glimpse if you listen carefully. Sayaha summarised this well when I asked her towards the end about advice for others and how they can go from bedbound with MECFS/Fibromyalgia to being healthy again : “I wish I could give the direct answer, but I can’t – but there are lots of clues in what I did to recover”.
Sayaha’s recovery from being bedbound with MECFS and Fibromyalgia includes all the classic strategies we so often speak about, although like is so often the case, Sayaha mostly worked these out herself. She is passionate about sharing her insights and wisdom and I hope you all enjoy her story.
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I also became sick with severe CFS and fibro overnight. Your story gives me hope to keep fighting
As a formerly athletic person like yourself I understand that the hardest part is the unseen restrictions and boredom and aimlessness that accompanies the illness itself, even if you are on a seeming road to recovery. How did you overcome those humps of wanting to just die and give up? How did you even know you’d get better? I’m doing everything you can do as well but the wait itself is defeating even when I do see progress it never seems to matter. You said one day something just changed for you, but I’m wondering how you even made it… Read more »
Hi Katrina – I always recommend people to focus on and remember any gains that they have made during the lows, that way we can take them more easily in our stride. Once we understand the dynamics of the illness, we can sometimes actually use our set-backs to accelerate our progress. I think few of us can simply ignore the lows and are all affected by it. Remember, acceptance is not giving up, but rather giving in for now whilst we are recovering instead of pushing ourselves beyond our limits. Glad you were inspired! 🙂
Someone who is only sick for 2 years is not in the same category as many of us who have been ill for decades. that’s a whole ‘nother thing. much chances for recovery under the 8 year mark. false hope to those of us who have been sick for toooooo long. i’m glad she recovered, but if someone is to recover it normally is in the first 7 or so years of this hell.
The impact of the illness and dynamics certainly change over time.
So what did you think of the recoveries of people that have been ill for decades?
i would love to hear from them…but i haven’t heard of any.
Hmmm – bit surprised – have you not looked around on this website?
Here is the list of recovery interviews: https://cfsunravelled.com/cfs-fibro-recovery-stories/
I know many stories of people who recovered after 30 plus years. Keep marching!
What a great story from a lovely person. So many similarities in both the illness, actions and recovery aspects it is truly heartening to hear and re enforces my positiveness on making a comeback. Thank you for sharing
Hi Ray – glad you were uplifted. 🙂
Firstly I just really want to thank Sayaha for sharing her story in such an open, genuine and heartfelt way, it has given me so much hope about moving forward. I also want to thank you Dan for this website and all of the success stories, I am watching one a day at the moment and it has been so helpful! Today I just got back from a very upsetting NHS appointment about ‘managing’ and ‘accepting I will have Fibro for life’. I refuse to do that…I know there must be a way and seeing these stories has given me… Read more »
Looking after your morale is really important.
Yes, many people still see these as different conditions even though people clearly go from one to the other or end up having ‘both’ – the real obvious clue is here is huge list of overlapping symptoms (excluding the pain/fatigue).
Find a doctor that is positive and helpful – ideally one trained in nutrition and orthomolecular medicine.
Hi, this is a great video. I just stumbled onto your website. Do you have a video on a woman who got cfs after childbirth and has recovered?
I can’t think of an example right now, but I have certainly come across many people that had an onset after childbirth.
I know people that recovered, but I don’t think I have a story shared as yet with that onset.
I just want to say I myself got very ill when my son was 14 months old and recovered eventually but many, many years later when I discovered that it was possible.
Thanks for sharing Louise – hope to share your story one day soon!?
Thank you Sayaha and Dan for sharing this. It’s always wonderful to hear of people getting better, especially when they were as ill as you both were. Your resort has given me ideas about where to look for a holiday – thanks 🙂