How Jenny Overcame ME/CFS Despite Misguided 'Wisdom'

In this interview, Jenny Adams discusses her battle with ME/CFS, eight years of misdiagnosis, societal pressures, and the pivotal role of mindset and lifestyle changes in her recovery journey.
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💻 • 4 Year Struggle with M... - Sjoerd's Full Recovery Story (yoga didn't work for him too!)
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - 🗨️ When to Advise and When to Just Hear
0:07 - 🌟 Meet Jenny Adams from Somerset, UK
0:59 - 🌱 Jenny's The Trigger Point for ME/CFS
01:32 - 🤔 Is Adulting Supposed to Be This Exhausting?
02:13 - 🚽 Toilet Revelation: What's Next After Diagnosis?
3:55 - 📉 The Steep Decline: Why She Got Worse and Worse
06:20 - 👥 How She Reclaimed Her Young Adult Life
08:20 - 🧘 The Attitude That Led Jenny to Recovery
09:05 - ❓ What Kind of Sticker Did She Put on Her Mobility Scooter?
09:40 - 🤔 How to Handle Unsolicited Advice?
10:39 - 🗨️ The Power of Compassionate Inquiry
12:55 - 🏋️‍♀️ The Key Things That Helped Jenny Move Forward
18:49 - 🧠 One Belief That We Need to Put On a Wall
22:15 - 🌟 Why is Jenny so Excited About Health Coaching
25:05 - 🔑 What Patterns Has She Noticed While Working With People?
29:53 - 🧐 Why Polyvagal Theory Is Helpful in Recovery
…
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REMINDER: This is for information purposes only and nothing I share should be considered medical advice. Please make your own assessment, do your own further research, and consult your trusted healthcare professionals before deciding if anything I talk about here might be right for you.
#chronicfatigue #fatigue #chronicillness #recoverystory

[@lc20735]

I think she's very fortunate that she obviously had a much more simplistic root cause than many of us. I know I'm far from alone when I say I tried all these things extensively (diet change, movement, therapy etc) in the first few years of CFS and got no improvement. And of course I've tried so much more than this over the years too. I've wasted $$thousands on health coaches who've taught me these things that don't work. A lot of us have to dig a LOT deeper to heal. I'd like to see more recovery stories from people with really unrelenting CFS that doesn't respond to simple things like diet change.

[@teenasmith5720]

Was it really M.E CFS? the wrong diet/food allergies/vitamin deficiency can cause inflammation/IBS/Auto immune response followed by discomfort/pain/fatigue, depression trigger exhaustion which can manifest into genuine symptoms of pain. If only it was that simple to cure, many of us have tried everything!

[@GloryDaze73]

I agree! Wouldn't it be interesting to hear more complex stories and how they've unfolded. Many of us have tried everything....and yet 15 years later....not much has changed. Somehow we must keep going.

[@GoldenOwlEvents]

Every single causal factor that Jenny Described, I have had. This is the first time in my life I have heard someone other than me describe that list. Very validating

[@forisma]

8:40 Recovery strategy: Change of diet Therapist Movement practice Doing small things that brought joy, and build this up

[@connorprovan2331]

i feel extra messed up even for a cfs/long-covid patient b/c i can’t do anything cognitively. she mentioned how she was able to do a bunch of things, as long as she was in a wheel chair. i’m bedridden but can manage about 1 hour in a wheel chair. that being said, there is no way i’d be able to go in public b/c of how easily i can bring on symptoms via mental exertion. having simply to much light throughout my day can make me crash. I’ve watched so many of your recovery story interviews (which I am so grateful for), but I really have yet to watch one where they really struggled with mental exertion. I’m constantly having to manage what I do cognitively. It’s awful.

[@Truerealism747]

26 years here no what.you.mean there's one or row recovery s out there though for me pain the worst

[@larsstougaard7097]

Sending you big hugs 🫂 can be hell , hope you find a way.

[@earthrooster1969]

Am on the same boat as you are! Long Covid and the ongoing daily battle. I stopped one day living in fear, keep my mornings very mild and know my triggers more or less and try to avoid stress as much as I can. Once upon a time I was ready for action. But now it has to be predictable for me and pre plan everything...I am in a much better place than before and resist the rush to getting back to what I was before..

[@Truerealism747]

@@earthrooster1969 have you tryed ADHD meds for the dopamine I have fybromyalgia found out I've got add Asperger's after 27 years CFS now fybromyalgia reason why

[@francescam.6999]

So sorry that you have to go through this. Perhapse the interview from daniel van loosebroke can help you. What you write about your situation reminds me about his story.

[@Itsallfun3000]

So so true on the yoga or for that matter any poor advice. I am dissociated as part of my experience, and inside there is a lot of stress trapped. I would be forcing myself to do yoga and during it I would be getting physically sick from the stress. Nobody mentioned you're meant to listen to your body right!! And toxic relationships as you mentioned... pushing too hard... People not taking you seriously. It "only" took me 2 years to get diagnosed. Can't get out of bed can't see properly, my body is burning... oh the advice is go running Chris you have to push yourself. Err yea I do normally 7 hour triathlons I know how to push myself but this is different. There is some rant I am sure we can all relate to. Glad you're better, nice part of the world the west country.

[@francinesanchez5402]

Thank you, both of you, for putting this info out here. It is STILL difficult to find info. And this channel has been a tremendous gift! The remark about taking responsibility for others emotions hit hard. Also just being grateful for what you CAN do

[@jog5289]

Thank you Jenny & Raelan. So glad you recovered, Jenny! 😊 I really liked the way you talked about giving an invitation to offer advice, & I can so relate to not liking being told what to do! Best wishes to you both! 🧡💛💜

[@RaelanAgle]

Much love to you, Jog! 😊 And that sticker Jenny playfully added to her mobility scooter - such a fun idea! ❤️

[@jennyadamscoach]

I'm so glad it resonated with you, we get handed so much unsolicited advice, especially when we are sick! Haha I'm not the only one who doesn't like being told what to do then 😂 I appreciate you watching, best of luck with your journey 🩷

[@basketballfan5763]

9:35mins in.....so relatable....people mean well.....I even have a habit of suggesting to my family who have similar issues..... God I have done ALL the kicks.....to 'recover'.....and yes some form of acceptance is part of mindfulness

[@AnrupB]

Omg the unsolicited advice! By non medical professionals with zero knowledge! So relatable! I love the part on how we approach everything or more with joy or calm, we can do more of it. ❤ P.S. I’m in tears...learning about myself with this interview. 🙏🏼

[@jennyadamscoach]

Thank you for watching and I’m glad it resonated with you 💖

[@kathycookson1859]

Great interview, thanks x ❤

[@avamihalik7531]

Jenny is so bright and I am so happy for her! I love the part about personality traits and patterns of belief and behaviors that have been shaped by society and family and other coping behaviors. Thank you Realan for another great watch! xxoo Ava

[@jennyadamscoach]

Thank you for your kind words Ava 🥰

[@muhyadindahir3188]

Amazing conversation 👍👍👍

[@RaelanAgle]

Yes it was! ❤️

[@JenniferElaine16]

I’ve watched quite a few of your videos and this one is by far the most valuable and relatable person for me🎉❤

[@RaelanAgle]

So glad you found it helpful!

[@jennyadamscoach]

Thank you for saying you found this valuable and relatable! 🫶

[@janem1990]

Related to a lot of this. Also from the West Country .

[@user-nc7zy3er2z]

Great video..but may I recommend interviewing more people that havent created a business out of their recovery ? Just saying, sometimes the videos turn into more of a self promotion then anything ( though i understand this is not intention ) . Keep up the content ! 👌

[@RaelanAgle]

Absolutely hear you on that, Jefferson! ❤️ All recovery stories are appreciated, but those who've been through it and are now helping others find it easier to speak publicly about it.

[@thedatepro]

I have a different perspective as I like to hear from anyone who has recovered whether they decide to become a coach or not is not relevant to me. If a person has recovered and they want to share what they learned by being a coach, does it make their advice and intention to help others any less valuable? I am not trying to be difficult. I am genuinely trying to understand the reasoning on why interviewing someone who is not a coach is more valuable or credible than someone who has chosen to be a coach. While the vast majority of people who recover do not become coaches, there are those who feel called to help others. I don't see how that makes them any less credible or what they have to share any less valuable. I suffered from CFS and about 40 other symptoms for over 20 years and my coaches were invaluable to me and was super happy that they decided to share their knowledge with me.

[@alexandrecouture2462]

Great video! When I finally will recover, I will not become a coach. It's a good thing, as it means more business for others! :)

[@larsstougaard7097]

Same 😅

[@kimjensenable]

Thank you... I can't see myself exercising, like ever, but just maybe I actually will very soon. Hope.

[@RaelanAgle]

I'm so glad you've found hope again! 🌟 Wishing you all the best on your health journey and hoping you find everything you need to get through this.❤️

[@daughteroftheblackmadonna8936]

Right up there with drinking celery juice.

[@earthrooster1969]

Quick keyboard tippy tap for quick smart comment 😅 yoga takes a bit longer, a bit more nuanced...and celery juice..that's cool too!

[@macgirl1234]

I love this story! Although vegan didn't work for me (the opposite helped, actually), I love when people are open to try diet changes! Every body is different and seems to respond well to different diets, so experiment 🤗

[@JacquiQ]

TY guys 💥 Love that Jenny but may I ask you not to relegate adoption to 'little t' trauma. I have lived it. Would not wish it on my worst enemy, even tho my adopters were 'good' people. Very much a capital T trauma . I had other childhood trauma as well, which i guess you would label capital T, but I would consider my adoption trauma worse, and much more complicated and deep rooted. Everyone of course is different, but plz, it can very much be capital T and the deep affects of it are little mis understood in society in general, even today.

[@jennyadamscoach]

Hi Jacqui- I agree 100%, and I would also add that big or little T trauma is decided through the lens of the person who has gone through it- I think this slipped out my mouth about adoption because I have witnessed somebody who has been through it saying it didn’t affect them (I would say otherwise!) Thank you for pointing this out as you are totally right 💖

[@JacquiQ]

@@jennyadamscoachThank you Jenny 🤎🤎

[@basketballfan5763]

Can I ask you what is the difference between fibromyalgia and ME?... because the start of this ladies journey is so like mine...... realizing I was always tired....young healthy looking....started with trauma for me also and CONSTANT misdiagnosis of depression especially after I once had depression and then totally got over it and overhauled my whole life....I did have 1 year of either clinical depression or a virus as I remember the sweating and being in bed all day at the start of 'my bad year' which I did fully recover from...but I was physically weak in my spine ever since.....I NEVER got depressed again after that year in bed...but I was CONSTANTLY re diagnosed with it...even after an accident in work(which I kept doing tho I was developing degenerative disc disease and did not know) I was treated like a hypochondriac here in Ireland where a good doctor just read my file I️ think and assuming it was depression ignored my pleas for an MRI on public health over here as my private healthcare had lapsed that I had for years but my jobs were becoming more part time and I could not afford healthcare ....so I needed her to realize and believe how ill I was to get me a free MRI in Ireland....I remember starving 1 week and using my state disability money for food on a private MRI.....I had degenerative disc disease and protruding discs in c4,5,6+7 and the big issue was between c6 and c7....an exiting nerve root was caught between those discs.....I will never forget how that doctor never saw or spoke to me again....she just handed my case over to another doctor.....a man which I didn't want as being a woman I always had hormonal troubles and always found it hard to speak to male doctors....tho some male doctors have been the best I have had....not this 1 sadly ....he put me on a very dangerous pill and took me off a safer one for pain....I was way too ill to fight.....I am as recovered 5 years later as I will be....I am still awaiting a possible neck operation they keep cancelling then revisiting ... I lost sight in 1 eye also after my neck issue....I research my own symptoms when I am able as i have gone back to college now which is unbelievably hard....

[@julianamoreno2846]

hey I am Brazilian I am suffering from CFS. I still don't understand how I trained my brain. How can I tell my brain that I can do something and show that I am fine, when in fact my symptoms are getting worse. ​

[@SyndicShadow]

Trusting yourself and feeling safe seem to be inextricably linked. So do being aware of who/what you are and sensory stimulation. I have a whole astrological system of exploring that with people and see the same themes with myself and others who have me/cfs.

[@madalynmoth4263]

Hello, I want to make sure I’m not making a mistake in using yoga as part of my tool set for dealing with my CFS. May I ask for how many days per week & for how many months in a row did you pursue professionally instructed yoga classes before deciding that yoga “didn’t work”? Thank you 🕊

[@francinesanchez5402]

I think this was more about the unsolicited advice piece. Not that yoga is bad, just that she didn’t want people to share ideas without her asking.

[@francinesanchez5402]

I can’t say for sure. That’s just how I interpreted it.

[@jennyadamscoach]

Hey, I can’t offer personal advice without working with you and your specific needs. But for me- yoga didn’t work as I have a connective tissue disorder called hypermobility (like hEDS) so I was overly flexible but would often injure myself pushing past my limits before I knew what they were! If yoga is working for you that’s great ☺️

[@jennyadamscoach]

And I probably did it 1-2 times a week for about a year before realising I was over stretching and not actually getting anywhere with it, I wasn’t building any strength up

[@madalynmoth4263]

@@jennyadamscoach Thank you, Jenny 🦋

[@micara981]

Everybody who are recovered now are the teacher?Is there anyone who are recovered and live normal life do job that they are do it before,or everybody are coaches now 😂😂

[@djVania08]

Yeah. Noticed this long long time ago. I think those that really move on to normal life, don't wanna have anything to do with it and don't to interviews. But who knows. It still feels like most people with CFS even after 'recovery' cannot really join completely normal life. I don't know. Nobody studies this and there is so much confusion. From diagnosis, through recovery or not recovery, up until the life after "recovery".

[@jennyadamscoach]

I think it’s partly down to our personality traits (that can also add to our illness) of wanting to be a helper! Which is why you’ll see a lot of us coaches, we genuinely want to help, and from my point of view- I wish I had this support when I was ill, so I’m helping others with what I sadly didn’t have and had to learn the hard way on my own ❤️‍🩹

[@thedatepro]

The overwhelming majority of people who recover do not become coaches. There are some who choose to do so because they genuinely want to help others.

[@texasgoddess323]

I think most people who recovered from ME/CFS do not go back to the work/schedule that was a part of why they got sick in the first place.🌻

[@tammyrobinson1613]

Those people we don't hear about. There are many. I was an admin on a recovery fb group and I've known many from this group who have completely recovered. I recovered 70%.

[@Moonstonee212]

15:10

[@sarahmaurice3930]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I follow Jenny on Instagram and she gives so much useful information & hope.😊

[@jennyadamscoach]

Aw thanks for your kind words Sarah 😊

[@germanside7890]