About
Sick of all the doom and gloom, Negative Nancy and Debbie Downer info out there about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Me too!
This blog is different (kinda like me). No medical reports, no darkness and above all, no negativity (because CFS is enough of a downer as it is, am I right?).
My mission is to lighten your load a little and share my experiences all about ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with the people who know what I’m harping on about (that’s you), and offer you a little bit of light at the end of what can feel like a very long and laborious tunnel.
I made it to the other side people! And you know what? I’ve been free of symptoms now for five years (not even a cold)!
My hope is that one day you can too…
Introducing Conquering Fear Spirituality; the blog I wish I’d been able to read when I was ill.
Because let’s be honest, unless you’ve suffered from CFS, it’s impossible to relate!
‘They’ just don’t understand!
But I do, I’ve been there.
I suffered with it for 10 years.
I didn’t wake up one morning and miraculously recover. I failed, relapsed (countless times), repeated mistakes and made myself a lot worse before I got better. I was (and still am) my own biggest experiment.
A quick trip down my CFS memory lane
These days I loathe to define myself by my CFS experiences (looking forward, not backwards and all that), but this timeline gives a good indication of the hardest 10 years of my life.
(Not sure if you suffer from CFS? Read more about it here.)
My CFS timeline (because this healing yourself stuff doesn’t just happen overnight)
Pre-CFS: Straight ‘A’ student. Always getting sick.. Who has time for that? Not me!
October 2002: Age 18. I wake up unable to move. I can’t even open my eyelids. I’m terrified!
November 2002: I’m diagnosed with M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyeltitis) also known as CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). Read about the difference between M.E and CFS here.
Early 2003: I spend 22 hours of the day sleeping. 6 months pass and I haven’t seen daylight. My weight plummets and my quality of life is… well what life?
Read more about a day in the life of a CFS sufferer here.
Mid 2003: I start working one day a week in administration, but the result of one day out of the house means I sleep for the rest of the week.
Late 2003: I return to university, but I’m barely able to attend lectures. I manage to finish my essays though and eventually I’m able to walk around a little.
2005: I complete my final year of university in France. My body clock normalises, I’m eating well and I manage my time and stress levels so that I have adequate rest periods. I feel AMAZING.
2006: I begin working full time, and when my CFS symptoms began to flare up again I ignore them (I haven’t learnt all my lessons yet).
2008: The stress of a teaching job in London makes me relapse, and only after a fall that forces me to rest do I decide to make this my last relapse, learn from my mistakes and get myself back to good health again.
2010: Hubby and I move from the UK to a warmer climate. Hello Australia!
2015: I have been symptom-free for over five years (not even a cold).
You can read my full CFS recovery story here.
Can you identify with some or all of the above? I believe that it’s the last 15% of recovery that really stumps people! It stumped me more times than I want to admit. My aim is to arm you with the tools that will help you break through that last 15% that’s holding you back from full recovery.
Here are my three favourite posts to get you started:
Treatments I Tried (Medical and Alternative) (I’ve done all the hard work for you)
The CFS Manifesto (My most popular post)
The Root Causes of CFS (My most controversial post)
I hope you find just one thing on this blog that resonates with you and brings a little light to your day.
If you’re looking for some extra special 1:1 attention to help you break through your CFS blocks, check out my mentoring page.
There’s also more to me than just CFS. I also blog about life, spirituality, finding your true voice and everything in between. Click here to view some articles featured in newspapers and online.
With deep gratitude and love,
CFS Media, Speaking and Interviews
Click here to read my media page, with all the details of what I can offer and my products and services.
DISCLAIMER
This blog was set up to document my healing from ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) in the hope of reaching out to others and sharing our journeys together. The blog is based solely on what has worked for me and my own, personal experiences. I am not a professional counsellor or doctor, I have no medical training of any sort and no background in medicine. If you are receiving medical help, please continue to do so, and do not substitute anything you read about on this website for professional advice.
I will take no responsibility or liability for anything that happens as a result of any advice or tips given on this blog. What works for one person might not work for another person- we are all different and our bodies will take different times to heal and recover. If you choose to follow any advice given on the blog, please know that I cannot and will not take responsibility or liability for situations, losses, damages or consequences which ensue.
What an amazing story ( I read it on Twitter, first), and share a similiar story of my battle with Gastroparesis, a sdigestive disorder that paralyzes the stomach to some extent. ( varying degrees). I healed after three years and am so grateful for the experience. I, too, was fearful of everything in life, and held a lot of things “in”, lots of stress, anxiety, anger, and worry. Ironically, This disease , along with a breakup of a long term relationship, forced me to change my life for good. Or perhaps, not so ironically:). Looking forward to learning your miraculous recovery!
Anita, my lovely, thank you so, so much for sharing your experience. I’m so pleased that you are now healing from your illness- like you said, it takes a long time to shake yourself out of it, but it’s worth it!
Thank you so much for contributing! Have a beautiful day!
Love and healing, Katie x
I just read your article about 5 things to ask if you’re not where you thought you’d be. It helped me so much. It probably helped me more than anything I’ve read. Thank you.
Wow Kathleen- thank you so much for your beautiful comment, I really appreciate it. I truly believe that we see things just when we need them- I hope you took something away from my article.
Thank you again Kathleen- have a beautiful day!
Katie xx
Hello gorgeous! Just sending you some virtual love and support! Just discovered your blog and am so happy I did. Keep up the amazing work. xoxo
Awww, thank you my darling! I really appreciate your love and support- thank you Danielle! xx
hi my mum has real bad fatigue,fibromielga,and a real nasty bladder condition,she gets bad brain fog,im tryin my hardest to keep her head above the water,but wen theres negitiveness in the house it dont help,im at my wits end!
Hi Steph- I’m sorry to hear your Mum is ill. It can be so difficult when someone else has CFS- the best thing to do is be patient and try not to let your frustration fall onto her (if you see what I mean!) I’m sure you’re doing an amazing job though!
Love, Katie xxx
Hi Katie, just came across your site via your contribution to MindBodyGreen and like your attitude towards CFS! I was diagnosed with this same disease almost twenty years ago, at age 15. I’ve had my ups and downs since then of course, and am thankful that the downs are getting smaller every time around, especially since becoming a mom 6 years ago (we now have three wonderful kids, aged 6, 3 and 1). But especially in this busy time of life, I am on the lookout for inspiration and support as to how to live happily and in harmony with this challenge of CFS. I’ll dig into your site the coming time, but want to thank you for your positive outlook already!
It’s an absolute pleasure my darling- welcome! xx
I like the idea of this website and hope it continues to grow. For myself, I am sure that my emotions are linked to my CFS. Traditional therapy gets me nowhere though. I feel as if I am in a catch-22, as resolving the one is dependent upon resolving the other, if that makes any sense.
Thank you Justin and welcome to my little webspace! I know exactly what you mean about healing being a catch-22- that’s why it can be so difficult sometimes! x
Beautiful Katie! Very inspiring. xx
Thank you Rachel! xx
I write this from the grave I call my bed. Yet again, I have become bed-strickened, losing yet another day and another battle. I have suffered from severe CFS and Chronic Epstein Barr since I was 19. I am now a 30-year-old man so desperate for change and help. It’s so hard to believe someone could heal themselves of this horrible illness but I’m happy to hear you did and I look forward to reading your blog.
So great to have you here, Chad- x
I happened to stumble across your blog whilst suffering a bout of insomnia and doing my usual googling trying to look for reassurance that I am not alone suffering with this debilitating illness. I have had Cfs for 15 years and also suffer from extreme anxiety as well. Reading all your blogs really touched me in fact made me quite emotional it was such a relief to read about someone who is feeling exactly the same as me. I just wanted to say thank you as you have really helped me in my time of need. I think what you have done is awesome and that your really inspiring!!
Awww, Katie! (Great name, by the way!) Sending you so much love, my darling- I remember crippling insomnia so, so well, and all the while thought that it was just me, and there was something fundamentally wrong with me. I never thought in a million years I’d be able to sleep through the night, let alone recover from CFS.
This audio might help you as well my darling.
Thank you for being here, Katie!
xx
So useful to read, im in the muddy myre of fatiguey/auto-immuney/adrenaly undiagnosed confusion but I’m seeing so much how my emotions and head have got me here. Useful to read your website right now, thanks x
Thank you Leela- I’m so glad you’re finding it useful.
Katie xx