Author: Svein Tore Røynestad
Four years ago I was a cheerful, energetic, go-for-it type of guy. I worked out a lot and would probably qualify as a super fit amateur sportsman. At the time I was 46 years old, and I remember feeling in better shape than I was at twenty-five. I competed in bike races and felt on top of the world. However, as autumn 2015 progressed, my training sessions seemed to be getting heavier. I went through a split up with a girlfriend and various other things happened. I remember feeling upset about the break-up. I did a lot of heavy weight-training in this period, whereas what I probably needed was a break or a timeout. I was terribly run-down.
I also seemed to contract a lot of minor ailments. And then, right before Christmas, I caught a severe respiratory infection. After this everything seemed to go downhill with low energy, shivers, flu-like feeling and sore throat. However, the mental part was probably the worst. My body felt very restless. I was unfocused. I could read the newspaper, but once I put it down I was unable to remember what I had read.
This chronic fatigue had settled into my body for good it seemed. I got everything checked at my doctor, but the tests did not come up with anything wrong. I felt like I tried everything possible to get out of this shit. Like many others in this situation, I tried almost anything, but nothing helped. The worst thing for me in this period was feeling like my life had been put on hold, with all sorts of restrictions in my day-to-day life, in short, a very poor quality of life. In the beginning we thought I might have overdone the training, as many of the exhaustion symptoms seemed identical. It was very frustrating not to get the right diagnosis, but I was lucky enough to have a great GP who was supportive and always there for me. Your mind begins to churn: “Will I ever get well again?” – thoughts that will totally not make you any better.
Your mind begins to churn: “Will I ever get well again?” – thoughts that will totally not make you any better.
Time went by, life went up and down, some periods were better, but for the most part I found myself in a place where nobody would want to be. It was incredibly frustrating that nothing seemed to alleviate my condition.
Then I discovered a Facebook group called Recovery Norge. The best inspiration is to see that other people have managed to overcome this.
Then I discovered a Facebook group called Recovery Norge. Beste inspirasjon er jo å se at andre har snudd dette.
I clicked “like” on the link and begin to read some of the stories people had written and posted here.
A lot of what I read seemed so familiar. As I always say – the result list never lies!! The best inspiration is to see that other people have managed to overcome this. And not least; that there is a treatment/course that works.
There was a name which seemed to pop up a lot, i.e., Live Landmark. She had written a book about her story with ME, which I read with great interest. Especially about her road to recovery. This was just before Easter this year. I went to Mallorca for the holidays, intending to get some activities in. I even tried to join a small bike ride on one of my first days down there. Had to give up in the first hill, completely knackered.
That is when I opened my PC and sent an application to join an LP course with Live. From that day onwards I began my transformation into a new and great journey. Live called me as soon as Easter was over and told me I could join a course a couple of days later. I joined and completed the course. I was very excited to see if this would work for me, which I can say is most certainly did. I had a lot of stress and restlessness in my body. The tools we learnt to use, and the fact that we were in a group together was important, I think. Getting well together.
The tools we learnt to use, and the fact that we were in a group together was important, I think. Getting well together.
I consider myself keen to learn, dedicated and certainly motivated for the tasks ahead of me, which I feel sure must be important character traits to correct a condition such as chronic fatigue.
Just over a month after the course I went on a bike ride down the coast to Tjøme and back home again. That was one of the goals I had set myself. Life is smiling once more; my quality of life is getting back to my old highs. I can once again accomplish goals I had put on hold. I feel a deep sense of gratitude as I write this. Hopefully this can inspire others. So, thanks to Recovery, to Live and the LP course for getting me back on track.
