Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME) occurs in teenagers, adults and sometimes younger children. I am going to tell you about one of my patients for whom homeopathic treatment assisted recovery from teenage chronic fatigue. First however, here is some background information about CFS:
How does Chronic Fatigue Syndrome affect young people
CFS is a condition of overwhelming fatigue combined with difficulties with sleep and other physical symptoms. In children, it usually results in missing significant amounts of school. For teenagers this can affect exam results or even make it impossible to sit exams, as well as reducing or preventing participation in leisure and social activities. They may well experience low mood alongside this.
The definition of CFS in teenagers
The diagnostic criteria for CFS / ME are set out in Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Doctors should consider diagnosing CFS/ME if you have extreme tiredness for which they can’t find another cause. This fatigue must stop you doing things you used to do and be worse after gentle exercise. You must also experience some additional symptoms such as insomnia, muscle or joint pains, dizziness, nausea, sore throats, headaches etc. In under 18s, these symptoms must have been present for at least 3 months. A paediatrician should see the young person.
How common is teenage chronic fatigue?
A study published in the journal Pediatrics in January 2016 looked at the incidence of chronic disabling and unexplained fatigue in teenagers. Parents of a group of young people born in Avon in South West England in the early 1990s completed questionnaires. These questionnaires formed the basis of the assessment. Fatigue lasting 6 months or more occurred in 1.3% of these 13 year olds and 1.9% of 16 year olds.
Megan’s story of how homeopathy assists recovery from CFS
Megan had been unwell for 10 months when she came to see me with a diagnosis of chronic post-viral fatigue. She was at school part-time but getting every infection going, frequently tired and dizzy and just didn’t have the energy to resume the sports she loved. Her mother told me they were at their wits’ end and Megan was particularly frustrated that she couldn’t return to the competitive gymnastics that was her passion before she became ill.
Homeopathic Treatment
I spent the first consultation learning as much as I could about Megan’s symptoms and personality. I then selected a homeopathic remedy that matched her overall characteristics and temperament. This plus a support remedy for her adrenal glands proved to be just what Megan needed for both her fatigue and resistance to infection. When I saw her 3 weeks later she had had her best week since being diagnosed, so we continued the same remedies and within a few more weeks she felt almost ready to return to sport.
Megan returns to Gymnastics
At first Megan was a bit nervous about returning to gymnastics in case she couldn’t do it anymore. She worried that she wouldn’t be able to work at the same level after such a long break. However, within 3 months she was back at the gym 2-3 times a week. Slowly and steadily, she found she could build up her stamina and recover her confidence.
Megan’s Mum describes how homeopathy assisted her daughter’s recovery:
“I found homeopathy was a very positive experience to assist my daughter with her recovery from CFS. I found the remedies boosted her immune system which has improved her energy levels but Gill was instrumental in asking the right questions which prompted my daughter to open up and talk about her condition which really helped her recovery process and gain her confidence back. My daughter is now back to school full time and enjoying sports again.”
Do you need help with CFS?
Are you struggling to get back to what you love doing because of chronic fatigue syndrome? Do Megan’s story here and also Josie’s experience of CFS sound similar to what is going on for you? Why not book a free introductory chat with me so we discuss your situation and what help you are looking for? If you would like to learn more about me and my homeopathy practice, please visit my main website.