What's new?
Over the last few weeks, I've noticed that I couldn't keep up the pace. Instead of being full of energy like I was recently, I am perhaps currently at 20 % of the force in the past few weeks - and yet that is still significantly more than I had in previous years. The course of the disease with ME/CFS is unfortunately non-linear. Constant setbacks are part of it. But as hard as it is sometimes: You have to get up again and again!
But there are also positive things to report: Kurpfalzglück is now also available in English - so that my texts and experiences can reach more people.
And one more thing: I am still looking for support for social media. If you have the time and desire to share, co-plan or post content - please get in touch with me.
Phase 1: How it all began (Mannheim, October 2020 - November 2020)
Early warning signals
Looking back, it probably all started much earlier - long before I knew what was going on in my body. Maybe it was the EBV virus, maybe it was the flu. Two infections in 2019, in April and November, which I quickly ticked off at the time.
And yet there were initial signals that I ignored: At the end of 2019, I lay in bed completely exhausted for several days after a double sauna session. In September 2020, a short vacation was even enough a long, warm bath in the tub - to drain myself as if I'd just finished a marathon. Presumably both are the first signs of post-exertional malaise (PEM).
The Black Forest vacation
I drove with my wife in October 2020, seven months pregnantfor a short hiking and wellness vacation in the Black Forest. We stayed in a beautiful hotel, right on the edge of the forest, with a modern wellness area. The first few days were calm, relaxed and carefree.
On the last day, I wanted to take everything with me once again: a short hike, 30-minute fitness program, three sauna sessions - and in the evening just under 45 minutes walk. At the time, I thought it was a successful conclusion. Today I know that it was probably a massive overload.
First symptoms
A few days later, I developed cold symptoms. The coronavirus test was negative. I took it easy: no cycling to work, no sport. After a week, everything seemed to be over. I started my training program again in the evening. During the last sit-ups I suddenly felt a short, sharp pain in my head - OK, I thought. Infection probably not completely cured after all. Better take it easy for a few more days.
Everyday life collapses
Two days later, in the office: my head felt like it was wrapped in absorbent cotton - Dull, heavy, accompanied by headaches and dizziness. I went home and it got better in the afternoon. But the next morning everything was back.
From then on, this pattern repeated itself day after day: worst in the morning, lighter at midday, worse again in the afternoon. Any major physical exertion worsened the symptoms. Even simple head movements like tying my shoelaces made me feel dizzy and like the blood was rushing to my head.
The diagnosis in the room
My GP gave me a thorough check-up but found nothing wrong. Physically, everything was fine. But the suspicion quickly arose ME/CFS - because of the typical deterioration after exertion. unfortunately, this early correct initial suspicion did not help me. 
I dragged myself through until the end of November. Then my orthopaedist sent me to an osteopath to have my severe tension treated. He pressed on points that I didn't know existed.
Brief hope - and the big crash
The next afternoon, something incredible happened: For the first time in six weeks, my head was clear again. Euphoric, I carried a heavy bag from the car into the apartment the next day - my wife wasn't allowed to lift anything heavy because of her pregnancy. Shortly afterwards, I was "knocked out" for an hour - hello PEM.
But I didn't learn anything from it. The next day, I got back on my bike for the first time since the symptoms started and cycled to work for 20 minutes - something that used to be a daily routine. Hardly arrived: massive sweating, palpitations, dizziness. I could no longer sit and had to lie down on the floor in the corner of the office.
It was the most violent breakdown up to that point. At that moment I knew: Something inside me was seriously broken.
You can find out what happened next in the next part.
If you have any feedback, would like to share your own experiences with ME/CFS or just want to say hello, feel free to write to me via the comments function or in person, regardless of the channel.
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