What is the fatigue disorder? I think I had H1N1 about the same time, although I never got it formally diagnosed, and have definitely had fatigue issues since then, although for me they're pretty mild.

Hmm. Yes. This, and I never even thought to connect it to the ebil flu.

Ouise! Hey stranger. I guess we'll see each other soon?

Was Helena married in the North St. Church? You all look so lovely.

What is the fatigue disorder? I think I had H1N1 about the same time, although I never got it formally diagnosed, and have definitely had fatigue issues since then, although for me they're pretty mild.

I didn't get a formal diagnosis either, but H1N1 was the strain of flu around that early in the season. Basically that drained, fatigued feeling just kept going after I had the flu. It was compounded by getting two more respiratory infections and a serious gum infection in the next month or so. I didn't realize anything weird was going on until I went back to work after Christmas vacation and crashed two days in.

There isn't anything that shows up in tests (apart from ruling out anything else causing it) and my doctor summarized it as "basically, any virus can present like mono." This is just something that happens in a small percentage of cases from any virus.

On the other hand, I have heard some anectodal evidence from my doctor that H1N1 seems to be more likely to leave people with long-lasting fatigue.

Unfortunately, the "treatment" is to exercise, eat healthily, get plenty of sleep but not to lie around when you are awake. I compromise by walking to and from work (20 minute walk), working out a couple times a week, and then lying on my couch for the couple of hours between when I get home from work and when I go to bed.

Ouise! Hey stranger. I guess we'll see each other soon?

Yes! I'm looking forward to it!

Was Helena married in the North St. Church? You all look so lovely.

Yes - good eye! Thanks for the compliment. I think Helena looked lovely. I don't think you can see it in the picture, but the men were wearing ties with her husband's family tartan and she made herself a sash from it. We bridesmaids were wearing colours from the tartan.

Actually, that treatment makes sense. And it's been better since I started working out and changed my nutrition. I don't do the "don't lie around" bit, though, I should probably do that.

I don't do the "don't lie around" bit, though, I should probably do that.

Yeah, that's what I find the hardest. I do find though, that if I'm really tired, I can have a short nap and feel well enough to do things, or I can lie on the couch for the rest of the day and just stay at the same level of tiredness. Sometimes knowing that is still not enough to get me off the couch. Sigh.

This is really revelatory to me, Ouise. I'm glad you spoke up. I'm kinda wondering now how much of the past two years' worth of depression was actually just fatigue. I know there was lots of other stuff going on with me, external and otherwise, but honestly the primary "symptom" of the mild persistent depression I had was not wanting to get out of bed, and being tired when I did. Maybe I'm past it now. Or maybe now that I know it I can be more proactive about it. I need to improve my sleep hygiene anyway.

I think I made my delurking post on Halloween last year, too.

I survived 2011, and ritually burned the calendar for that year, that's how awful it was.

This year: new job! I'm a senior technical writer for Isilon, which means I have a whole new flock of co-workers to startle by coming to work covered in blood today.

What else, what else? Almost done with the first draft of the fiction project my agent wants to see. I've been getting more and more requests to emcee events, which is fun. As of July I have stopped taking the daily handfuls of antibiotics I was on for the mysterious immune system things (whoo, Lyme disease), and I'm finally starting to feel more like myself again.

This is really revelatory to me, Ouise.

I'm really glad that mentioning it helped you! My doctor says that it usually resolves within a couple of years, and I've had clear improvement, especially since I started exercising.

I also use a light therapy lamp every morning for at least half an hour from September through to April. I had trouble with winters before, but didn't get the lamp until I was sick as well. It helps me a lot.

Good luck!

I don't post a lot anymore, but I'm not sure I qualify as a lurker. Maybe? Work takes up a lot of my time, and I've been in passive consumption mode most of the year.

Anyway, I still live in Chicago and work at the same company, although I got promoted earlier this year. Still getting a CSA share and cooking all the things.

I finally met Holli in person at DragonCon. I fell in love with Community. AVENGERS.

16 days ago I sprained my right hand and quit smoking. Hand still sprained, still not smoking.