I knocked myself into a new trajectory of illness for 4 years and counting. For the first 5 years I could manage a gentle walk most days. Until one day I decided to go for two gentle walks in one day (morning and afternoon) and I haven't been able to go for a walk since. The last 4 years I've spent housebound and mostly tethered to my bed.

"Post-exertional malaise" should never be underestimated, especially by those who experience it.

"Malaise", "fatigue" and "brain fog" such benign names for something so devastating. No wonder doctors, family and society in general don't take this dreadful disease seriously.

Thank you for writing this. I can appreciate the hard work you put in. It's brilliant! Congratulations.