Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Disclaimer
Prior to my first post, I wanted to post this quick disclaimer (which I will link to in all blog posts) to be as transparent with you as possible. If reading a few hundred words is beyond your capacity right now, skip to the end for a TL;DR (too long;didn’t read), i.e. summary.
First and foremost, I would like to recognise that my experience with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) was not severe, and I do not pretend to represent the full breadth of experiences or struggles of people who live with CFS/Myalgic Encepholomyelitis (ME). While my fatigue significantly impacted both my personal and professional life, as well as my mental health, at its height I was still able to work, play sports, and spend quality time with my family (albeit with limited capacity).
Second, I am only human and am still in the process of learning. I do not pretend to be the unequivocal expert on all things CFS. My qualifications for writing these articles/posts are that:
- I hold a Bachelors degree in Exercise Physiology (UNSW, 2013)
- I am an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) registered with ESSA (Exercise and Sports Science Australia)
- I was diagnosed with Long Covid with chronic fatigue in 2022 and have been through professional treatment to help manage my condition
If you feel I have misrepresented any aspect of the CFS experience, or have any other concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch (my contact details are at the bottom). I am more than happy to make corrections/alterations to my posts based on constructive feedback.
Thirdly, my intention with this series is to create easy to read and informative posts that will hopefully equip you or someone you know with up to date information, as well as strategies and tools to better manage the symptoms of CFS. The posts will be made up of a mix of anecdotal and referenced scientific information.
Fourthly, the advice/information contained within these articles is my opinion only, and does not constitute medical advice. While these strategies have worked for me, they are not guaranteed to work for you. Please speak to a medical or allied health practitioner prior to beginning any form of treatment or exercise program.
And just to cap off, CFS/ME can be a controversial topic, and despite what many other people may or may not have told you, your experiences with CFS are true and valid, and I aim to maintain a safe and inclusive space for you to learn and manage your CFS. As I mentioned previously, if you have any issues, concerns, questions, feedback, or would like to share with me your experiences with CFS/ME, please do not hesitate to get in touch via email at alex.burjan@ep360.com.au. I would love to hear from you!
With that out of the way, I hope you find the following articles/posts useful!
TL;DR
- I am managing moderate CFS, and speak about my own experiences
- I’m an accredited exercise physiologist living with CFS, not an academic expert
- My aim is to create a safe and inclusive space for you to ask questions and learn about CFS and how to manage it using science-backed techniques
- The advice contained in these articles/posts is not medical advice. Please see a medical or allied health practitioner before starting any treatment or exercise program
- Questions? Concerns? Feedback? Want to share your story? Need help? Email me: alex.burjan@ep360.com.au
