Cat Test for CFS Severity

It was meant to be a 3 week sentence, but I managed to extend it into 5 weeks. 2 weeks into it, I went on another biking, for 3 miles this time. It was a trip normally well tolerated, but not while in a 3 week PEM. It reset the clock and 3 weeks penalty restarted all over again.

As if the PEM sentence wasn't enough, the homeless cat we've been taking care of has developed a terrible flea problem. It was getting warm and fleas must be hatching en masse. I had to buy Frontline Plus, a vacuum cleaner and a flea comb to combat the infestation.

The cat moves around. I have to get up, chase it down and then sit again to comb it. I was effectively doing several reps of squat. My legs turned into jello after a few days of that and I still had to vacuum the house twice a day.  By last night I was getting so desperate that while lying in bed I contemplated locking the cat out.

Then, right on cue, I got better today. It's been 3 weeks since the 3 mile biking and I must be out of the jail. Life seems brighter all of sudden.

So, you could use the cat as a test for the severity of your CFS sickness. If you can take care of your cat's flea problem in a small 1 br home with hardwood floor, then you likely have a mild/moderate case. If you can't, you have a severe or moderate case. I'm right on the border. When I'm having PEM, I'm back in severe/moderate condition. When I'm out of it, I'm a mildly sick, functioning patient.

Officially speaking, of course, you are a mild patient if you can hold a job, but have to spend all your evenings and weekends recuperating. And a severe case if you are constantly home/bed-bound. Moderate is anything in between.