Can you live with ME/CFS without realising?
I want to start by clarifying that this isn't a post asking for medical advice or a diagnosis. I was diagnosed recently with ME/CFS by a consultant Dr in the UK. I have had 2 years of feeling very unwell: tachycardia, dizziness, fainting etc. This is what I thought lead to the fatigue, but during my diagnosis the dr said that my bloods showed I had glandular fever more than 6 weeks ago, but this could mean 6 months, 6 years or any other undefined time in my life (I'm 38), I don't remember having glandular fever, but I used to get tonsitllitis a lot until I had them removed at 18, so it could have masked it.
Now I have a clearer understanding of ME, I realise the regular episodes of PEM I get now, are almost identical to how I have been since a teenager, I'd push through all my limits until I'd get so ill that my body forced me to rest, usually during more stressful times in my life. Could it be possible that I've had mild ME with less bouts of PEM for decades without knowing its ME? I've had blood tests every couple of years during adulthood because I have always felt more fatigued than most.
I do also have hEDS and POTS which can also cause fatigue, and I'm also autistic which is tiring in itself. But the PEM signs are something I can't help but query. Now I am much more severe and its significantly affecting my life and ability to parent my children. I am unable to work and rarely leave my house. This came after 1.5 years of tachycardia blamed on anxiety rather than being diagnosed with POTS, and also getting covid and flu during that time which seems to have worsened symptoms of ME each time.
So is it more likely the ME started 2 years ago when I got really bad, or its being fairly "dormant" for 20+ years, occasionally rearing its ugly head when I push too much?
I'm new to this so don't hate if this is a stupid question 🥴