I suffer from Yukoner’s variety, but down here in civilization, we have discovered other causes, like infection and disease. Not like them lazy yukoners.
My sister had ‘chronic fatigue syndrome’ that turned out to be Pompe Disease. After years of getting more and more tired and weak, she died last year, thank God. If you are going to make a generalisation like Yukoner did, and you don’t have any actual factual knowledge, you wind up looking stupid.
Sorry about the lazy crack. that was just mean.
Thank you magnamax. I was thinking somewhat the same thing. There really is a thing called CFS and as you pointed out, sometimes it is actually some other rare, debilitating disease.
Now me, I am just lazy. I do not try to lay it off to anything else. But some people are really sick.
The name “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome” is overly-simplified for a very real and debilitating illness. It’s like calling Alzheimers “Chronic Forgetfulness Syndrome”. (Doesn’t EVERYBODY have that?) It’s no wonder people with CFS get no respect from either doctors or the general population. (They’re often ashamed to even tell anyone that they have it, for fear people will think they are lazy.)
It’s an autoimmune disorder that packages up pain, flu-like symptoms, frequent infections, insurmountable fatigue and weakness and an inability for the body to repair inself effectively after normal, everyday activities. People with CFS live a limited and lonely existence as their world quickly shrinks to nothing much bigger than their bedroom. It’s worse than being in prison. (And offers no hope of parole.)
Ask anyone with CFS and they’ll tell you they’d rather have their old life back.
Thank you for the comments, as it happens I have CFS. I’ve been steadily getting worse since childhood, but nobody even recognized that CFS existed as a condition until a few years ago.
Medical researchers are beginning to think it isn”t one condition, it’s the common endpoint for a lot of different diseases. For many people there is a trigger event, some viral infection that they never recover from fully. For others it’s other causes. Vitamin deficiency, usually B or D is easily treatable. Same with Anemia, Sleep Apnea, or other chemical imbalances. but some causes have yet to be discovered.
There are treatments that will help of course, Aside from correcting any chemical imbalances which only work if that’s the cause, or medical issues, ditto. Certain medications can help with mental alertness (Nuvigil and Provigil) For anyone who has an autoimmune deficiency based version, a temporary suppression of the immune system provides relief, but opens you to increased risk of infection so it’s a catch 22. Even certain supplements like Evening Primrose Oil have helped people, but only against certain types of this condition.
If you know anyone who has this condition or suspects they have it, my best advice is to find a specialist and they are few and far between. Someone who treats Fibromyalgia, Rheumatism or Immune Deficiency Diseases are your best bet.
By the way Yukoner. I didn’t take anything personal in your remark. There are Doctors who still don’t recognize this as an actual condition, so if the medical field is divided on it how could you know? Think on this though. I turn 53 in less than a week. The chances of my seeing my 60th birthday practically don’t exist. Take my word for it. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a real, horrible, debilitating disease I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
Having had fibromyalgia for over 30 years (before it became “disease of the week” and profitable to drug companies) and CFS, I appreciated the ‘toon, woke up like that this morning.
While it can be debilitating indeed, another factor is the mental approach and “pushing through” the really crummy days. I recently started back doing tai chi (hmm, after that same 30 period away from it) and find the stretching and exercise is helping a lot- ties the mind to the body. Remembering parts I’d forgotten I had, and that ain’t all bad!
comicgos over 13 years ago
Makes sense…
Llewellenbruce over 13 years ago
I think that’s what Andy Capp has too.
Yukoner over 13 years ago
CFS is just another term for lazy.
pouncingtiger over 13 years ago
CFS is the first sign of old age. I think Cosmo has been “cooped” up too long.
GROG Premium Member over 13 years ago
It should make it easier to get some sleep. I think I suffer from chronicly awake syndrome.
magnamax over 13 years ago
I suffer from Yukoner’s variety, but down here in civilization, we have discovered other causes, like infection and disease. Not like them lazy yukoners.
magnamax over 13 years ago
My sister had ‘chronic fatigue syndrome’ that turned out to be Pompe Disease. After years of getting more and more tired and weak, she died last year, thank God. If you are going to make a generalisation like Yukoner did, and you don’t have any actual factual knowledge, you wind up looking stupid. Sorry about the lazy crack. that was just mean.
TexTech over 13 years ago
Thank you magnamax. I was thinking somewhat the same thing. There really is a thing called CFS and as you pointed out, sometimes it is actually some other rare, debilitating disease.
Now me, I am just lazy. I do not try to lay it off to anything else. But some people are really sick.
jkoskov over 13 years ago
But he’s drawn.
Wouldn’t that make it “Comics”-Fatigue Syndrome?
makemlaugh over 13 years ago
The name “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome” is overly-simplified for a very real and debilitating illness. It’s like calling Alzheimers “Chronic Forgetfulness Syndrome”. (Doesn’t EVERYBODY have that?) It’s no wonder people with CFS get no respect from either doctors or the general population. (They’re often ashamed to even tell anyone that they have it, for fear people will think they are lazy.)
It’s an autoimmune disorder that packages up pain, flu-like symptoms, frequent infections, insurmountable fatigue and weakness and an inability for the body to repair inself effectively after normal, everyday activities. People with CFS live a limited and lonely existence as their world quickly shrinks to nothing much bigger than their bedroom. It’s worse than being in prison. (And offers no hope of parole.)
Ask anyone with CFS and they’ll tell you they’d rather have their old life back.
Kerovan over 13 years ago
Thank you for the comments, as it happens I have CFS. I’ve been steadily getting worse since childhood, but nobody even recognized that CFS existed as a condition until a few years ago.
Medical researchers are beginning to think it isn”t one condition, it’s the common endpoint for a lot of different diseases. For many people there is a trigger event, some viral infection that they never recover from fully. For others it’s other causes. Vitamin deficiency, usually B or D is easily treatable. Same with Anemia, Sleep Apnea, or other chemical imbalances. but some causes have yet to be discovered.
There are treatments that will help of course, Aside from correcting any chemical imbalances which only work if that’s the cause, or medical issues, ditto. Certain medications can help with mental alertness (Nuvigil and Provigil) For anyone who has an autoimmune deficiency based version, a temporary suppression of the immune system provides relief, but opens you to increased risk of infection so it’s a catch 22. Even certain supplements like Evening Primrose Oil have helped people, but only against certain types of this condition.
If you know anyone who has this condition or suspects they have it, my best advice is to find a specialist and they are few and far between. Someone who treats Fibromyalgia, Rheumatism or Immune Deficiency Diseases are your best bet.
By the way Yukoner. I didn’t take anything personal in your remark. There are Doctors who still don’t recognize this as an actual condition, so if the medical field is divided on it how could you know? Think on this though. I turn 53 in less than a week. The chances of my seeing my 60th birthday practically don’t exist. Take my word for it. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a real, horrible, debilitating disease I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
gofinsc over 13 years ago
Most of Cosmo’s problems result from having to deal with Shoe every day.
Dtroutma over 13 years ago
Having had fibromyalgia for over 30 years (before it became “disease of the week” and profitable to drug companies) and CFS, I appreciated the ‘toon, woke up like that this morning.
While it can be debilitating indeed, another factor is the mental approach and “pushing through” the really crummy days. I recently started back doing tai chi (hmm, after that same 30 period away from it) and find the stretching and exercise is helping a lot- ties the mind to the body. Remembering parts I’d forgotten I had, and that ain’t all bad!
So, get out and use it, Cosmo, or lose it.