An answer to how to address conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome

Posted by confetti11 to Disease/Illness, Mar 16, 2010 8:19pm

Dear Producers of The Doctors,

Mr. Steve Davidson from the Dr. Phil Foundation was kind enough to recently forward information about my story to you. I am happy to submit this story idea to The Doctors.

Often times, people with conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome feel like the forgotten. These are such poorly misunderstood conditions by the general population that people seem likely to just rather ignore they exist. As an result, it's hard not to feel ignored as a person.

Such has been my experience, but when you’re dealing head-on with one of these conditions, it doesn’t allow itself to be ignored. For some of us, it leaves us in such desperation that there is no choice but to find a solution.

I believe during my last decade of dealing with a condition labeled as chronic fatigue syndrome…I stumbled upon a viable solution to mysterious conditions like these. I went from virtually homebound to working full-time again. It’s not really a mystery how it was accomplished but it did take hard work and dedication.

It may not come as good news to some but I don’t believe this solution comes in the form of a simple medication or two, but rather lifestyle changes, creative treatments and a physician skilled in unraveling the complexity of a patient’s individual circumstances that led their body to becoming so ill.

I really don’t see it as that vastly different than someone going through the rigors of an intense weigh-loss program or even perhaps a drug rehabilitation. Similar attitudes, devotion and discipline are required for all.

But, this is not to say that total control is in the hands of an individual suffering from a condition like chronic fatigue syndrome, because I don’t believe it is. A physician very skilled in working with unique tests and treatments is also necessary, especially in complex cases.

I worked with one such doctor, Dr. Dale Guyer (www.drdaleguyermd.com), and without his help, I probably wouldn’t be alive today. There are probably upwards of thousands of doctors who feel they are equipted to deal with these types of conditions, but Dr. Guyer is unique and well-respected in the CFS community. With the kind of reputation he has, I would say that he is probably in the Top 10 US doctors people with these conditions recommend to each other.

However, even as skilled as he is, he ironically has said to me that he credits a patient with 90% control over their own recovery…seeing his part as only 10%. This opinion just solidifies the importance of a patient being able to have discipline, keep proper notes and follow their own progress. Without being able to give your doctor accurate feedback, otherwise helpful treatments can sometimes be worthless.

So, I believe a very concerted and balanced effort is necessary in approaching a recovery from conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome. In most cases, recovery doesn’t happen overnight, or anywhere close to it, and will take a wide array of treatment options, often not covered by insurance. It will also take a fair share of trial and error as a physician works to uncover what is making each individual sick.

When I first became ill, I essentially wouldn’t take no for any answer. Now, in all fairness, I really didn’t have a choice. My symptoms were so severe that they left me with no other option but to find a way, any way, to make them stop. 24 hours of nausea 7 days a week will do that to a person. And certainly, for me, no one was going to tell me that I couldn’t get well from something they couldn’t even tell me what it was.

Yet, for as much as I physically suffered, I’m really beginning to feel that I may have gone through this to share my story with others and to help people who really can find no true hope they will get better. I was once there. I was hanging on by a thread of hope, calling help lines at night when I had exhausted all my friends who didn't know what to say. I would so love for people to get this message, that you can get better...that there is hope.

I would like to submit the idea to do a segment on how people can heal by attacking these conditions with the following:

1. Tailored Treatments
2. Time
3. Discipline

Tailored treatments are needed to address an individual’s specific causative factors. Most of the time, great relief can be found by addressing the following issues: adrenal and hormone function, the health of the digestive tract, and the proper function of the body’s detoxification and immune system. If you would like, I'm certain my doctor would be willing to address these topics on the show.

Time is needed to allow treatments to work. Often, individuals with conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome have numerous health issues that have been simmering for a while. Their systems are depleted and time is necessary to allow the body to heal naturally…much in the same way you can’t lose weight or recover from a serious injury overnight, you can’t get well overnight either.

Discipline is needed to live a healthy lifestyle. Television is replete with recovery shows, or programs that showcase triumphs…such as The Biggest Loser or Celebrity Fit Club. The same kind of discipline emphasized in these shows is paramount to healing from conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome. The added task to keep diligent records about what treatments are working or not is also key in healing. Being able to give doctors accurate feedback about what is going on in your body is critical for recovery.

Most importantly, I would love to see a show where it is emphasized that people really can get better and back to life and back to work! Many times, individuals with these conditions are highly ambitious, educated people who would love nothing more than to get back to a real job with a real income. It's possible. It can be accomplished and what greater contribution back to society when people are able to earn their way again.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my story idea. I look forward to any feedback you may have.

In addition, I have sent a package by mail that will include a little more information and a copy of a manual I wrote about what I did to heal.

Best Regards,
Gina Scott