What's your own personal theory about what causes FM/CFS/ME?

*I must have been a very bad person in other life to be made to suffer the way I am in this one.

*Whether it be accident, illness or my case a difficult pregnancy.

*That really isn't how it works. Bad things happen to all people.

*me too !!

*Working theory on both my FM and ME is that they have been caused by Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.

*My theory is when the dr don't know what's causing all your symptoms its fibro.

*I've just had my adrenal's checked by saliva tests and they are showing signs of fatigue. This seems to be the first thing that has made sense to me as a cause, as I think this started in me after a very challenging trip to Nepal whilst ill with several illnesses. It was obviously just too much for my body.

*In my case I think traumatic child hood as was physically abused plus other life problems and stress

*I agree some type of trauma or illness...I was extremely anaemic with the birth of my last daughter. This is when I was diagnosed. I have read it could be brought on by trauma or illness. Whatever, the cause, I pray my daughters don't have to experience this (which there have been signs). It's not all in your head as they first thought 23 yrs.
I was lucky to have a doc that diagnosed this 23 yrs ago, only thing is. I have had a few docs since then, and I especially remember one. I told him I had fibro, so everything that was wrong with me even sore throat was because of fibro.
He stood in the door one day and said, you have fibro, it's never gonna get any better, only worse and you have to deal with it. I looked at him and said, and you think I am paying for that advice. OMG sometimes it was like DUH. tell me something that I don't already know!

*I recently saw a Dr. very knowledgeable about this. It was at a Fibromyalgia & Fatigue clinic, several of them in the US. It may very well be in the adrenal's or anywhere in the body where the mitochondria of the cells don't allow the proper nutrients in. It can be genetic or caused by emotional or physical trauma.

*Faulty cellular apotheosis due to damaged cytochrome C or damage to the ion exchange cycle in mitochondrial respiration causing cells to Glycolise and become inefficient releasing ATP into the body to cause ALL KNOWN SYMPTOMS of Fibromyalgia.

*There could be a few ways I got F/M. I had mono and viral meningitis when I was in high school. I also had a hysterectomy and 2 c-sections. Then I got a divorce and found out after 3 years that he molested my daughter. he abused both of the children and me through out the marriage. I think stress and add on a low immune system came together to cause my F/M. At least that's what the Dr's have told me.

*Wish I knew. I have still to be officially diagnosed but my gp agrees with me, that it seems very much like fibro that I'm suffering. Back at rheumatologist in early June, however he was more interested in the fact that I have haemochromotosis even though I'm female.

*I used to say In a past life I was a man that used and abused women and this life is my punishment, but I guess I finally paid my dues cause life is grand.

Adrenal's makes sense to me, since the main triggers (physical and/or emotional trauma) would very much involve adrenal overload.

*I don't know - mine started to appear shortly after I had my first ever bout of hayfever.

*Stress, stress and more stress caused by things that have happened in your lives.

*I'm pretty sure my fibro started after I had a small accident falling off of a motorcycle. It was shortly after the accident that I started feeling these horrible symptoms of fibro.

*I've had my symptoms for at least 15 years, and it's hard to pinpoint an actual start and one cause, but I've had several traumas/illnesses that could have led to it. I had likely Rheumatic Fever as a baby, then several bouts with "mock mono" as pre/early teen. I'm also hypermobile and have had several serious injuries, all which could have contributed.
If I were to pick just one, I'd say the "mock mono" as that was closest to the time it started, and it's believed to be a cause.

*My doc says it's caused by Hashimoto's and Sjorgren's Syndrome. I think it has something to do with emotional trauma. I fought so hard to help my son, he has a form of autism, to be able to be in mainstream school that I basically couldn't breathe until I knew he would be all right.
When he reached all his goals and was thriving, then I fell apart physically. I feel like I was holding my breath for 5 years. Now he is doing wonderfully and is above average academically, and socializes beautifully with his peers, I am so thankful. Thank the Lord! I wouldn't change anything, because my son may not be where he is today.

*I feel the same way. I must have been a helion! Lol, honestly I think its a virus of some kind, although I was extremely abused as a child too so. I'm not positive.

*Adrenal's would be one thing. I have a tumour in the left adrenal medulla that was discovered in 2006. Adrenal's have so much to do with the nervous system. I've also experienced major traumas of all types my entire life, physical, emotional, mental and 9 major surgeries.

*Aliens. The end.

*A sense of humour is a must, if this was an ultra bad day I would have written many many more words, love to all

*I've done so much research into this & I've put together my own "theory" as it could loosely be called. I've had a lot of stress & trauma, both physical & emotional from my teens onwards so this fits. I can't remember the technical terms, but I have read plenty of research that supports this.

Basically the body gets stuck in the "fight or flight" state. Stress hormones are released too freely & the body doesn't flush away the stress hormones the way it should and over time this "poisons" your whole system.

This means the body is constantly trying to tense up (ready to run or fight) & this draws blood away from the organs meaning they have to work harder, the hormones keep firing & don't get fully replenished OR flushed out so we live in a permanent state of "whole body anxiety" almost!
No wonder we feel tired, ill & achy so much of the time!

*One doc I saw said that eventually they will come to the conclusion that it is all auto-immune.

*I think it's something to do with the spine and trapped fluid.

*I know of too many people who were victims of abuse who's immune systems just went haywire that now have CFIDS or FM.

*Stress, Physical Trauma, Mine came on hard after a motorcycle accident, then had to have my thyroid removed due to a sudden case of Graves disease, then a hysterectomy due to endometriosis, all within about 18 months. But before that I suffered A LOT of physical abuse and stress from a very abusive relationship. Done a number on me, then came the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia in 1990.

*Stress, physical & emotional trauma. I was abused physically as a child, emotionally and physically in my early 20s. Went on to work in a very stressful environment. I was a go getter, handled everything in my job and at home until the day fibro hit me.

*After my second child I had many problems including an infection with a temp of 105 and had to stay in the hospital for 12 days. I think this is when it started. I haven't felt the same since then and that was 14 years ago.

*It is autoimmune, like Lupus.

*Started by me coxsackievirus.

*I think it's part genetics. I inherited mine, but triggered by other factors, mine was food poisoning and then later on a virus, traumatic childbirth didn't help either!
The virus had the most impact, that was when my energy finally deserted me! Glad it had no effect on my sense of humour though!

*I feel blessed someone shared with me, feel now it is up to me to share it with others. What others do with it is up to them. I love you Fibro duck. You help us all share, learn & heal with given this place to chat. Thanks!

*I think it has to due with trauma. I was in a car accident that I ended up hitting my head. I think it made all brain connections go crazy & now I only receive "Pain" signals, and stress on top of the pain only makes it worse!

*My theory is autoimmune also. Several of my family had autoimmune diseases. I was diagnosed with Lupus for 12 years then the tests started coming back negative. I, too, had rheumatic fever, mono, pneumonia, stress upon stress, and been assaulted.
I have had insomnia all my life and I feel it is a major contributor. The onset occurred by my reckoning, after the birth of my first child when my thyroid started losing function. This is the end of my whine, thanks I feel better now. 8=)

*Stress/trauma both physical and emotional to the point where body says "no I've had enough" and gives in to FMS/CFS/ME type illnesses.

*I don't really know what my theory is and I probably spend too much time researching FMS to see what it could have caused it.

My first symptoms started when I was 11 just after starting secondary school. At the time I did consider much else other than the pain and for 4 years that was all I complained about to the doctor cause I assumed everything else was because of the pain. Thinking back now around that time I had the worst flu I've ever had (I used to survive badly with flu until I started getting flu jabs) and I started my periods, as well as starting secondary school and throughout childhood there were family stresses.

So I agree in the idea that it could start from a viral infection, as well as stress triggering it. I spend my life feeling wound up and on edge, never knowing what my body will throw at me. I currently live with my boyfriend and find I am constantly biting at him if I wake up in pain, even though it's not his fault at all. If I have energy and don't feel too much pain I can be so happy and giggling, and feel like a child again. But whenever I feel my energy levels going or my pain increasing, or other things such as an IBS flare-up, I find it completely changes my mood and its one of the most difficult parts to deal with sometimes.

I'm currently at university, and though I struggle with both the course and social side, I thoroughly love it. I want to be a teacher when I'm older, and hopefully I'll be able to manage my dream.
To everyone else suffering out there, Stay positive.

*Severe stress

*It is interesting to me how many different theories there are. I associated mine with the horrible labour of my first son followed by food poisoning and possibly the depo shot.
Since then, I have come to believe that a lot of the 'poison' that we call food is a major contributing factor. My symptoms have completely changed with a healthy diet involving lots of fruits and veggies and water. If I have dairy, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, grease, or pretty much any processed food I immediately notice symptoms flaring up.

*A common thread I see through these posts and in life is abuse.

*I think maybe the birth of my daughter @ 24 weeks and the trauma after though was told by doc after the birth of my son that my white blood cells were way too high and if I felt ill to see gp only remembered that when it was too late . It has already taken hold big time ,just didnt know it then!

*My theory, An overload of a chemical called "Substance P" that is found in the area of the brain responsible for perceiving pain. The overload causes your brain and central nervous system to not communicate properly, thus causing you to have pain for seemingly no reason at all. I think the overload of the chemical is caused as a response to prolonged periods of high stress and/or depression (due to trauma, illness, etc.)

WIKI link

*XMRV!

*stress

*Stress! Probably caused by very messy divorce
Now very happy with my wonderful partner and he has to take care of me because of somone elses actions : NOT FAIR!
But am happy now, that's all that counts

*I think it's your thyroid!

*autoimmune gene or deficiency that's inherited, common in RA families

*Hormones.

*I go with the American research that it is neurological like M.S, something the medical profession here fail to acknowledge, surprise surprise!

*An extreme emotional trauma! I do know that is when mine started up.
An accident with head trauma. I think both "scrambled"

*many bad life situations such as rape, abuse, and molestation, ie. stress. And repeated physical abuse like repetitive sports or weight lifting. CFS, a virus. ME, a virus.

*Mine started after I had RSI in my wrist.

*Could likely be combination of things. past head injuries, car accident, improper dental amalgam removal, exposure to toxic chemicals- natural gas poisoning, severe stress, and adrenal's giving out. Its like collapse poof you are down. Oh yes, forgot losing best friend to suicide and stressful past career. I am surprised I lasted as long as I did before full blown illness. With knowledge I have now. Mitochondrial damage of some sort too.

*I had a bad case of mono as a teen and then Epstein Barr/Chronic Fatigue in my early 20s. Had a few years of being okay then a car accident.

What would your number one wish be for?

*Not to hurt

*To have energy!

*Mine would be not to be so tired all the time. It doesn't matter how much I sleep, I never seem to catch up.

*My alopecia to go away, fibro and depression I know are part of me, but 20 years on the alopecia still hardest to deal with.

*A doctor who would never stop trying to figure out what all is going on with my health.

*Both of the above please.

*To be normal. To be out of pain all the time. To be able to move right. To be able to do things I used to be able to do. It all goes together.

*Find a cure...or a better treatment

*Happiness, covers most things anyone could wish for.

*No more pain and no more crutches, freedom.

*To not have to take any meds for pain or any other reasons as I feel like a walking chemist

*To get rid of this headache right now!

*To sleep and have energy

*For the doc's to find a cure so none of us have to put up with feeling so ill, stressed, depressed, low, no strength, as if your not worth a bean.

*World peace

*To do everything I used to be able too. and have no pain or tiredness.

*A cure,so I could feel 47 instead of 87

*Must be Fibro /M.E group.

*To have this syndrome be treated according to it's patients and not government guidelines. To have awareness spread throughout the world.

*A cure so I can do the things I wanted to with my life rather than be 20 living like a 70-80 year old, selfish I know but I wouldn't waste it!

*My old life back

*Get rid of this Fibro crap

*A cure for Fibro and Cancer, they've both robbed me of so much!

*To have some energy and no pain, oh that's two , but there are so many more, too bad it doesn't work that way !

*At this very moment, for the air travel crisis to ease so my son's business plans (and finances) are not shattered by a volcano and then for world peace. (Sorry, that's two things.)

*For the person who is supposed to love me "for better or worse,in sickness and in health" to STOP telling me I only have the "normal aches and pains everyone gets" and "you only THINK it's bad because you dwell on the pain which exaggerates it".
This from someone who goes on about every little twinge he gets,whereas I get on with it because I have to!
How can you spend 25 years with someone and know so little about them? Try living in my body for even one day, you'd soon change your tune!

*For a cure.

*To be well enough to take care of my husband who is going to need me to do just that soon.

*Amen to the cure!

*Health without a doubt!

*For additional wishes.

*A cure and if no cure available - death.

*Enough money to move my entire family to Southern California.

*I can handle Fibro. my wish is that my mum was healed of alzheimers.

*I hear that one. I would love more understanding for those who need it.

*Find a cure to fix the lot of us!

*No more fatigue. I would love to know what a normal energy level feels like.

*A cure for all of the illnesses that do not have a cure!

*A cure or at least a DR, Who is covered by my lousy HMO MEDiCAID Insurance to treat me so I could work and be normal and have my own place to live again

*I feel for you, and everyone else. I would wish all of us healthy.

*I just wish that I could help others who have fibro. I do little things here and there, but I don't feel like I'm doing enough.
So my wish is to figure out how to do more faster & really make a difference because if one more person has to go through this or go through it alone-then that's one too many.

*A big lottery winning or for the UK to have weather 24/7

*No more wars ever.

*No pain, lots of energy a healthy body. My old life back! My dream come true!

*I would just want to be the way I was before all this started 5yrs ago, feel like I'm cheating my family on all the fun,neat,and spur of the moment things we use to do. Soft hugs to all

*More energy, I've heard Estrogen may help with hair loss and my doctor recommends Spironolactone)

*To be able to hold my 23 month old twins in the morning. It takes me an hour before I can even try.

*To be able to go to work and earn my own money, so I can treat my 2 wonderful children.

*healed

*First a cure for all disease in the world.

*To be my old self again, gentle hugs everyone

*I agree with the I can handle fibro I would echo the world peace!

*Before Dh and I are too far gone to enjoy them.

*To feel like a 53 yr old woman is supposed to feel, a lot less pain.

*To be healthy, like I was before fibro.

*No pain

*World peace definitely!

*To have some money so I could buy a car to I can get about.

*To get the me back I used to know. I feel so boring these days.

*For the strength and right attitude to be able to cope with my FM

*To be medication free.

*To be rid of fibro and all other problems associated with it and have my family round me.

*To feel refreshed in stead of feeling constantly tired and looking haggard.
*
My number one wish would be for a cure for Fibromyalgia. would have more energy and be able to do the things that I only dream of.

*To quit being in pain all the pain, to be rid of Fibromyalgia all together.

*My health especially my legs back for walking.

*Do I need to say?

*To not have to put on my family with my Fibromyalgia and that I was the person I used to be once again!!

*Health

*That every DR and those who decide benefit entitlements to feel the symptoms of Fibro for a whole week, see if they could function in their jobs and home life! They might see those with Fibro in a different light then.

*Other than a cure for cancer and diabetes. A cure cure for this awful Fibromyalgia

What hobbies are you still able to enjoy?

*I still go to watch footie :)

*Reading, writing, photography.

*Dress making,knitting

*Reading, keeps me sane xx

*I can still enjoy most of them. On my good days! I have learned over the years to listen to my own body. If it says " no bike riding today". I listen!

*Making candles, baking, taking photographs

*Bit of light gardening

*Writing, singing and baking

*My dogs and taking my children plus dogs away in my camper van.

*Art class, piano and crochet when I am able :o)

*Wood model trains, kites

*Watching football, although it reminds me that I can't play any more.

*Tarot, running my websites, Open Uni study

*Open Uni study and a little photography, plus I volunteer tutor for the NHS for people with long term conditions, which I really wouldn't have had the opportunity to do if it wasn't for FM

*Photography and photo editing but cant get out and about as much as I would like.

*Painting and drawing.

*Walking, reading (when I can hold the book, its an awkward position to hold my hand in for extended periods), cooking, kite flying, picnicking (I can incorporate all my favourites into that.) watching films and cuddling.

*When better, I'm still able to enjoy photography and cinema. Photography is more demanding overall; watching films is easier for me, especially when noise sensitivity and brain fog have eased some. xx

*Photography as Long as I don't have to crouch down lol

*Reading, watching my daughter do everything, watching films when I can stay awake long enough & it isn't too loud also I have been trying to do some gardening I cant do a lot so I pick out what I want to plant & my husband does it for me.

*Well I can still do my degree and learn languages (when I can concentrate!) I read (when I have the concentration and can hold the book,) nothing else really lol

*Playing with my laptop.

*Reading occasionally when I can hold a book and not fall asleep. no more swimming or cycling as it hurts too much. I do lebed exercises though,

*camping reading and very little cross stitch.

*Well cant parachute any more or bungy jump but I do still enjoy the odd wind up xx

*I do low impact aerobic exercise when I feel OK, take the dog for short walks, study for my correspondence course, eat & drink & be merry!

*With large gauge needles. I make squares and sew them into cubes! :) Mines called 'Tarquin' and the one I made my friend is called Bob.

*I crochet all the time. It helps keep my mind off of pain so much!

*I'm trying to teach myself to speak Greek but only on days when I can concentrate. My partner is Greek and it would be lovely to know what he is saying. I don't like being kept out of the loop! He usually speaks Greek when he is romantic or talking to our granddaughter but also when he doesn't want me to know something! I still need lots of practice!

*Reading, swimming, and walking my dog!! :) Simple pleasures.

*A new hobby since I'm unable to do what I used too. Playing games on Facebook.

*Reading and on good days going to the cinema or out for lunch, don't even get to walk my dogs any more.

*For those with trouble reading because of holding books, many disability supply companies offer book holders. They are a great help.

*Reading, writing, doing an OU course (when I can concentrate), crosswords, su-doku, and drinking tea with friends :)

*Drawing and reading x

*Card making, scrap booking, cake decorating and love reading sometimes struggle to hold hardbacks and really large paperbacks.

*Scrapbooking, reading.

*Reading a good book and going to garage sales.

*Paper-crafting on a budget, makes you inventive. Books, sometimes reading, sometimes listening. Movies, thank heaven for Lovefilm as I can no longer go 2 cinema.

*I read but don't retain it all, computer, many things I wish i could do but can't afford it. My hobbies are expensive.

*Used to make dollhouses , do DIY and many other hobbies but can't always play with drills now, so started card making keeps me busy and is relaxing.

*Reading keeps me sane. Watching football is sociable and the most exercise I can do is palates but I remain hopeful that I will ski again!

*I customise walking sticks and crutches.

*Reading, computer, genealogy, sewing and quilting, that's about it.

*Photography, going to the zoo.

*Reading, knitting and watching movies at home.

*ZERO.

*Knitting, crocheting, reading,computer now that I have friends on FaceBook

*A lot of crochet when my hands aren't stiff!