In order to come to terms with living with this condition I have been forced to reassess some of my core beliefs and values. These core beliefs and values develop and are reinforced over time. Some of them are absorbed from our society or culture without us ever really thinking about whether they are right … Read more
Good illness management takes a certain amount of self-discipline. Even getting out of bed in the morning requires discipline for me, when just about every day I wake up feeling awful. In the knowledge that I will feel better once I get through my morning routine, I resist the urge to stay in bed and … Read more
Patience is a very important quality to cultivate when you have a ME/CFS. We regularly face challenges that would test anybody’s patience and the consequence of letting them get to us only serve to worsen our health. Any time we get wound up or impatient we’re adding to the problems with our sympathetic nervous system … Read more
For many people with ME/CFS exercise is seen as a dirty word. However I believe it is a very important part of illness management. Movement and exercise help maintain good circulation, making sure oxygen and essential nutrients get to all our cells, and toxins and waste products are removed. Our lymphatic system which is an … Read more
Optimising our health when we have this condition takes an awful lot of care and attention. We need to learn to assess our daily energy levels, keep within those daily limits, pace ourselves, eat healthily often avoiding certain foods, pay attention to our sleeping habits, include safe and effortless movement/exercise in our daily routine and … Read more
There are many unpleasant feelings that are very regular visitors to any chronic illness sufferer. For example frustration and disappointment that today you’re not feeling well enough to do what you planned to do. Or that you thought you’d been doing well recently, but not today. Or sadness at being reminded of the things in … Read more
Although this illness means I am no longer capable of taking part in the pursuits that used to increase my risk of injury (skiing, snowboarding, hiking on rough ground etc.) I found out this week that I’m not altogether immune. A simple slip on a friend’s stairs resulted in a twisted ankle and a bump … Read more
This week I’ve been lucky enough to have a good week. I went for a lovely 2-mile walk on my day off which is just about my limit at the moment. The weather was lovely, there were some really pretty views of the Shropshire countryside and altogether it was a very uplifting experience. Later that … Read more
Today’s post is dedicated to Sam who left this comment on one of my previous posts: What would your advice be to someone my age (15),16 in February doing their last year of school with GCSE exams coming up? I’ve suffered with M.E/CFS for almost 7 years and this year has been my best. Although … Read more
I find this time of year particularly difficult. The transition from summer to autumn always seems to have a negative impact on my symptoms. It is something I have learned to accept. As with any extra pressure on my functioning, I always try to cut back on my activity and save more of my energy … Read more
