M.E (chronic fatigue)...the jehovahs witness disease

by chuckyy 37 Replies latest jw friends

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  Carol

  Grace, when I was a JW Pioneer, I worked full-time and pioneered. When I married I was no longer a pioneer and continued to work full time!

  I have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue......years after I left "the truth"......I'm symptom free with the exception of times where I'm not getting enough rest, improper diet and/or I'm stress or depressed! It is complete and utter exhaustion along with body and muscle aches. Sounds a bit like life in general.

  I think sometimes there are JW's who have been medically diagnosed with it and when they tell others about it, the others self diagnose.
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  damselfly

  I forgot to say that these disorders, when diagnosed properly, are very real and can have serious consequences for those who suffer from them. My post was not meant to belittle or shove aside those who have been living with them.

  Damselfly
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  katiekitten

  Damselfly - agreed. I think loads of them have depression and have no idea.

  I did.
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  BluesBrother

  Yes , I can add anecdotal evidence of this, very real sickness in my own J W family. No doubt the roots of it are psychological (sp?) but the symptoms and feelings are real enough.

  Why does it affect so many J W "Sisters in the faith"? ... Well I guess that we have talked many times about the stresses and failed expectations of being a dub..
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  heathen

  Yah it's real that's why they prescribe lithium and prozac . I do believe that people can become chemically imballanced because that's what we are for the most part is one big chemical reaction . I also believe in evil spirits that can mess people up pretty good . However diet and exercise could help some with more energy . I know it helps me because I struggle with these type of things . I come from a very bi polar back ground and that is hard on your nervous system .
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  BrendaCloutier

  I was originally mis-diagnosed (sort of) with depression being the source of my fatigue and pain. It took 4 years from onset to finally get a diagnosis that made sense. With FMS - CFS, there are seldom any abnormal blood tests. Docs kept telling me that I was "fine". A couple thought it was "all in my head". In reality, with FMS, it IS. They have begun to target the problem as the pain center in the brain sending false signals of pain being received. Similar in many ways to phantom limb pain syndrome - pain in an amputated limb.

  I'm on 225 mg of Effexor XR (time release) and it helps, some. It certainly helps with my attitude/depression. I use a broad spectrum light box in winter, which helps too.

  Clonazapam (Klonapin) at night for Restless jumpy Leg Syndrome and deeper sleep. I currently sleep 10 hours - mimimum - per night. 12 - 13 per night in winter.

  I found a news artical on ABC news on early field treatment of pain to reduce chronic pain syndrome in wounded Iraq/Afghanistan war vets.
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  damselfly

  Brenda ~ I'm glad that you have been able to discover what works for you to get better. It's a long road for some to find these things out. I have clients that have spent years trying to get it all in balance.

  Best of luck to you!

  Damselfly
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  BrendaCloutier

  Hi Damselfly. I'm not actually getting "better", but under some periodic semblence of "control". I still cannot function with any consistant level of "normalcy". Probably never will. But that's ok. I do have a life and mostly enjoy it. I have a loving, considerate spousal unit who usually understands - better than I can say for many with chronic illnesses. Now if/when the Social Security Disability is approved/kicks in, that will take one more stress off of me.
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  Dustin

  I realize that ME is very real and is very hard to deal with. Like alot of people brought up though, for the JW's the source is the pressure put on them from the elders and the organization. I suffered from depression for many years while in the organization. The weight that was lifted off of my shoulders after quitting is unbelievable.

  It's sad that people within the organization can't see this and help themselves.
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  Doubtfully Yours

  The reason, you ask???!!!

  Do MORE, MORE, MORE!!!

  It's never ever enough for the WBTS.

  DY