I experienced the sudden onset of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in 1997. In a few days, I went from completely healthy to 25% of normal. I found a way to improve, however. Over four years, I gradually returned to the same level of health I had before becoming sick and have remained healthy now (2012) for more than a decade.

My approach to CFS was different than that taken by many people with CFS. After I learned that there was no cure for CFS and no commonly effective medical treatment, I decided to exclude medications and supplements, and instead treat my CFS using only lifestyle change, listening to my body and adapting my life to its needs. I believed my approach was safe and more likely to be effective than conventional treatments. 

I recognize that recovery from CFS is unusual and I acknowledge that medications can help some, even most, people with CFS. But I offer my story in the hope that others may find in it both encouragement and practical strategies. The story reflects a belief that that how we live with chronic illness can change its effects and even its course.

Table of Contents

          Introduction  (summary of story)

Part I: Getting Started

1: I’m Really Sick, Now What Do I Do? 
2: Adopting Multiple Strategies
3: Understanding My Unique Situation
4: Is Recovery a Realistic Goal?
5: Responding to Loss
6: Starting a Self-Help Program

Part II: Pacing

7: The Energy Envelope
8: Pacing
9: My Secret Weapon: Pre-Emptive Rest
10: Keeping Records
11: Experiments with Exercise
12: Minimizing Relapses

Part III: Other Challenges

13: Stress
14: Emotions
15: Support

Part IV: Concluding Thoughts

16: Recovery or Just Remission?
17: Lessons 
18: What About You?

Bruce Campbell, Ph.D., created and directs the CFIDS/Fibromyalgia Self-Help program, a non-profit organization that offers low-cost self-help courses over the Internet and other resources for people with CFS (also called CFIDS) and fibromyalgia. The group was founded in 1998 and has conducted more than 300 self-help classes and groups. Dr. Campbell has worked professionally at Stanford University on self-help programs for chronic illness, including the Arthritis Self-Help course and the Chronic Disease Self-Management course. He is a graduate of Stanford and has a Ph.D. from the University of California.

Copyright Notice: Copyright © 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010 & 2012 by Bruce Campbell. Permission is granted to re-publish or re-post the material from this website as long as the use is non-commercial (e.g. support group newsletter), the material is used in its entirety (for example, one chapter) and the source is credited as: “Recovery from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (http://www.recoveryfromcfs.org/ ) by Bruce Campbell."

Disclaimer: The materials in this book are posted for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for medical or other professional advice. Consult your physician or other health care provider regarding your symptoms and medical needs.

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