Hi @doxyjune, well it is complicated. I have chronic fatigue but then had to have this huge surgery, which I had no idea what it entailed. So after 3 days in icu and 4 in reg. hosp bed, drugged the whole time, I was impatient on why I wasn't getting better faster. My surgeon said I was basically cut in half, have the scare across my entire belly to prove it, and juggled around in there. I was told abdominal surgery makes people more fatigued. I was worried that my CFS had come out of remission from this. Then my dad suddenly passed and everything was thrown on me, but I was also devastated and lost without him. My mom had beginning stages of dementia as well. I think my body just couldn't take anymore. I finally went to a naturopathic dr. She did the saliva test and said it was adrenal fatigue. She put me on the hydrocortisone and a bunch of natural supplements. I remember fish oil, but a certain type, 3 times a day, plus so many others. I had to make a chart so I could check off what I took and when. I think there were like 12 things including my regular meds, but 3 times a day or 2 times, etc. I had to wean off the hydro due to what my surgeon said since I needed another procedure. By this time I couldn't afford going to the naturopathic anymore, insurance doesn't cover it. Then my primary sent me to endocrinologist. She had to, I think it was, put me back on the hydrocortisone and then taper me off. She ran all sorts of tests and everything was normal, but I was still exhausted. So I knew it was the Chronic Fatigue syndrome, and stress I am sure. I do have weakness everywhere also. For example I feel in the shower it is such a chore for me to wash my hair. I have thick hair and to shampoo and condition and rinse is a lot of my arms up. This hurts my arms. Pathetic I know....I am going to stop the Savalla and go back to the duloxetine. My dr. said it may be a rash I have. I have found the duloxetine helped me the best with aches and pains. I just wanted to try something new since I am so tired and achy, thinking my body may be immune to it now. I don't know anymore what is what....sorry don't think this helps....

Doxijune. You have taken on more than most could take. Our world is not our mother's world. If they were offering sedatives to depressed people, they would have to give some to every American. Our Country as a whole is depressed. I don't know about you, but as a child I never feared from not locking our door. As a teenager, I could sleep out on the porch on a hot summer night. We have diseases that were never as common as they are now. We are NOT getting healthier. There is money to be made by selling drugs. Not just illegal drugs. Even our children are depressed and into themselves. I get so upset with my daughter who allows her son while he was in school to play on the computer games day and night. He graduated. how I don't know. And that in itself is an issue also. How many graduates cannot read or reason math. ```Nothing is easy to do anymore. Did you ever have to call the insurance company? Or go to DMV? No wonder we are in pain.. Our bodies cannot take this much longer. I believe the lifespan will decrease over the next 20 years. If you are my age, and plan to come back you would not recognize the world. My mother died in 1985. I have been saying for 10 years, she would not recognize anything here. There is only one way to turn. To your Faith. God is faithful and never changes. He is the one constant that we can rely upon. Pray every night. You can ask Him anything you want. He will listen all night to your cries for help. I am fortunate, I have good insurance. I have Medicare and Secondary Insurance that is not cheap. I will pay that if I have to ski food. Medicine is constantly changing Research is going quickly. Today's illness leads to tomorrows drugs. Hang in there Doxijune. This too will pass.

We oldies but goodies can remember days of not locking doors, walking without fear of harm, etc. The media plays a large role in planting fears and the glamorizing criminals. Man wanted things bigger and faster-it is here y'all.

Hi @jmmb, Thank you for your post. Lots of stressful events for you. I know what you mean about washing your hair. I have experienced that also. I am on duloxetine as well. Just at 20mg -- waiting and hoping it will kick in. I just received a saliva test - for many years I was flat lined on the results. That is why I was on hydrocortisone and it helped a lot but made me pre-diabetic. But my last saliva test a few months ago showed cortisol in the A.M. so maybe the adrenals are healing. You mention that you have CFS. Are there any tests for that syndrome? Thank you again for your response. I truly appreciate it.

Hi @doxyjune your welcome. There unfortunately is no formal test for cfs. It is diagnosised by exclusion and having qualifying symptoms for at least I think 3 or 6 months. It's changed so many time

Sorry I don't know what happened. I didn't hit post yet I wasn't done. Anyway I was diagnosed about 22 yrs ago. I had mono, Epstein Barr virus and then cfs. I went to a university that was doing research on CFS so they had tested me for everything but luckily it was free. Problem was I was guinea pig as well didn't know if I was getting placebo or help that sort of thing. That's when I left and went to a pcp. I know I took the Cymbalta that helped my aches and pains the fibromyalgia piece of it. I take modafinil to keep me awake.

Hi Jim I also had Epstein Barr,mono I had the rash with it then 20 yrs later ended up with fibromyalgia.Mine I think is getting worse ,seeing rheumatologist tomorrow.I'm now experiencing cfs .

Rev Billy Graham passed on to his home today he was 99. I'm sure Jesus said well done my good @faithful servant

Hi @jmmb, at least you sort of know what happened to you. Not that what happened is good but you have some kind of clue. My body is just a mystery. Thanks for your posts.

I'm sorry @doxyjune do you have any diagnosis for anything? I didn't read if there were posts before so I don't know your story. I do wish there was some diagnostic test Some people don't think it's real since it's not black and white. Then I start doubting myself and get frustrated. Because I also have MALS I don't know what makes what worse. Well good luck to you