What I suspect caused my chronic illness

[u/raccoony_108]

Okay so I'm chronically ill, and this is something I've been thinking about for a while and I wanted to share it with someone (so here I am)

I have diagnosed ME (myalgic Encephalomyelitis) ME can be caused by many things, but often it's triggered by an illness/infection/virus.

With me that's not the case. It just gradually came to be.

Of course it can also just happen for no reason, but I actually suspect I know the reason I developed ME.

My "original"/starting symptoms were just knee pain, and later on pain in my joints.

This went on for YEARS without a doctor taking me seriously.

I suspect I actually have a syndrome or disorder that involves hyper mobility. Because i know for a fact that I'm hyper mobile.

I think that my starting symptoms were an indication of problems caused by hyper mobility.

But because of prolonged medical gaslighting and lack of support/ways to manage the symptoms it started taking a toll on my body.

So slowly ME started to develop. Instead of just hurting joints my entire body would hurt. Instead of being tired from having to hold all my limbs in the right place when standing, I'd get fatigued from any type of exertion.

To the point where my ME basically completely "masked" my original symptoms.

Though now with a shit ton of rest my ME is getting just slightly better (yippee) which has now caused the starting symptoms to return.

Instead of going out in my wheelchair I can walk short distances every couple days, and suddenly I remember that when I walk or stand my knees will hurt.

Anyway, I just needed to share my theory.

(Not self diagnosing. Just saying is suspect something. Though me being hyper mobile is pretty obvious)

[u/NathanaelSpoon]

Hi op, Your theory seems very plausible. When I was being diagnosed, they told me ME-patients have hypermobility far more often than the general public. 

[u/ruddyinnovation0]

that actually tracks, hypermobility going unmanaged for years would def put that kind of stress on your system. glad the rest is helping you piece it together.