Chronic Fatigue… Huh, Is That Even Real?

“Rest is medicine, and I even wear a monitor now to track how much energy I'm truly using. Even if I think I'm taking it easy, it shows me that I might be expending too much energy, and I'm able to take rest breaks purposely so I don't feel guilty about resting." —Donna Piper

 

They called it burnout. They called it depression. They were wrong. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), isn't psychological—it's neurological. This invisible illness poisons your nervous system while leaving lab tests 'normal,' making it medicine's greatest blind spot. 

When world-renowned specialist Dr. Perrin examined Donna, he found something shocking: her lymphatic system was flowing backward, flooding her brain with toxins. 

Discover how this structural dysfunction creates the "crash days" of ME/CFS, why "pushing through" makes ME/CFS worse, the 5 physical signs of ME/CFS most doctors ignore, the 'feet up the wall' technique, the test that reveals if your nervous system is in overdrive, and the wearable device that exposes hidden energy expenditure (even during "rest"). 

 

Connect with Donna: 

Website: https://www.donnapiper.com/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnapiper

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lipedema_donna 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedonnapiper 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedonnapiper 

 

Episode Highlights:

01:48 Introduction to ME/CFS

06:22 The Perrin Technique and Why It Matters

08:52 Chronic Fatigue— Beyond Psychological

14:29 Feel Good Flow Time

 

Resources: 

🔗Links

Dr. Raymond Perrin: https://theperrintechnique.com/

The Perrin Technique: How to diagnose and treat CFS/ME and fibromyalgia via the lymphatic drainage of the brain, 2nd Ed: https://a.co/d/3fXHbZD

The Concise Perrin Technique: A Handbook for Patients: https://a.co/d/6yM60D7

Through the Looking Glass: Diagnosing and treating long COVID using the Perrin Technique: https://a.co/d/fpglYdD

 

X:

Fatigue isn't 'in your head'—it's in your LYMPH. Tune in as Donna shares the structural cause of ME/CFS plus the 4 foods that worsened Donna’s fatigue (and the weird swap that helped).

#DearBodyImListeningPodcast #MECFS #ChronicFatigue #BrainFog #LymphaticHealth #MedicalGaslighting #SpoonieLife    

 

Quotes: 

01:45 "If you're running on 30% and pretending you're running on 100%, you are not alone here." —Donna Piper

08:52 "Chronic fatigue syndrome isn't psychological. It's structural. So it's not just that you think you're tired, it's actually a physiological thing happening that's not working right." —Donna Piper

09:07 "Blocked or sluggish lymphatic drainage in the brain and the spine causes toxic buildup. This overload stimulates the sympathetic nervous system— your fight or flight mode— which keeps you stuck in the survival and that causes those deep, mysterious crashes." —Donna Piper

11:11 "Rest is a huge part of what is prescription. Do half of what you think you can because the more you push yourself, it takes longer for your body to detox." —Donna Piper

14:07 "Rest is medicine, and I even wear a monitor now to track how much energy I'm truly using. Even if I think I'm taking it easy, it shows me that I might be expending too much energy, and I'm able to take rest breaks purposely so I don't feel guilty about resting." —Donna Piper

 

Meet Your Host: 

Donna Piper is a Relationship Coach, Trauma Expert, and Akashic Records Healer dedicated to empowering successful single women to transform their love lives and attract fulfilling partnerships without sacrificing their professional ambitions.

With a holistic approach blending therapeutic coaching, trauma-informed techniques, and Akashic Records wisdom, she guides clients to release limiting beliefs, heal emotional blocks, and cultivate unshakable self-trust. Her work focuses on aligning mind, body, and spirit to create lasting change, helping clients refine communication, deepen self-worth, and build the foundation for healthy, loving relationships.

Donna’s sessions are a safe haven for those ready to break cycles, embrace vulnerability, and design a love life that harmonizes with their thriving careers. For women committed to both personal and professional fulfillment, she offers tailored strategies to unlock their full potential and step into the relationship of their dreams.