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The original was posted on /r/cfs by /u/Shot-Contract-5254 on 2025-01-29 14:25:27+00:00.
I started experiencing symptoms around age 11/12. At this point in time I was already overweight and so the doctors (understandably but still annoyingly) assumed it was something to do with my weight. I got blood tests and told to eat less, move more and eat healthier. Started a plan with a nutritionist and lost 20kgs over a year and a half. Back to a healthy weight, went to the doctors, finally diagnosed at 13 with ME. Went from mild to moderate and had to be home schooled for a while.
The only thing I could do was study, lay in bed and eat. I gained all the weight back and now even though my ME has subsided enough for me to return to school, life is hell. Nobody understands why I use a cane or wheelchair on especially bad days, I am either seen as too young to really have anything wrong or just lazy because I'm obese or both.
I feel so disconnected from everyone. Taking a disabled seat in the bus on a day where I don't need my wheelchair makes me feel like a total fraud. Extended family doesn't understand, even my close family (my mother in particular) seem to doubt my diagnosis and think I'm just lazy. I feel judged by my peers and my teachers and it hurts. It hurts a lot. I get odd looks when I'm out in public which is soul crushing because half the time i can't be out. When I finally have enough energy and I go hang out with my friends (which I barely have any of because of my ME, they can do things I can't) I get stared at and it makes me want to just shut myself inside all day.