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
I recently read a letter in the ME Associations magazine from somebody who always feels worse after resting. I too often feel at my worse after my afternoon rest and when I wake up first thing in the morning. It also reminded me of another blogger who has mentioned to me how much of an … Read more
One of the great difficulties with chronic illness is that you can no longer do the activities you used to share with your friends. Understandably they still enjoy those activities and will probably continue doing them without you. I certainly wouldn’t want any of my friends to miss out on any opportunity to have fun. But … Read more
When we have so little energy it’s really important that we learn how to use it carefully. One particularly difficult challenge is when others place demands on our energy. We need to be able to say ‘no’ when others are demanding something from us that will push us into that ‘too much’ zone. I’ve recently … Read more
For many of us this illness robs us of the ability to play a productive role in society. Sometimes we are so unwell we are completely unable to contribute to anything. Sometimes we just have to cut back often needing to withdraw our energy form other important parts of our life just so that we … Read more
I have ready various books in the mind/body/ spirit vein that suggest that you include in your daily routine a round of positive affirmations. One that I have heard several times goes along the lines of: I am complete, I am perfect, I am healthy, I am strong, I am calm, I am loving, I … Read more
There is nothing new in this statement. There is even specific ME/CFS terminology for it: staying within our ‘energy envelope’! But the fact is that it’s extraordinarily difficult to achieve. However I believe that if we were only to focus on one illness management goal, this would have to be the one. The more we can … Read more
One of my most rewarding pastimes at the moment is growing my own vegetables. It’s so exciting to see a seedling poking its head out of the earth, and wonderfully satisfying to eat something freshly picked from your own garden. I spend more time just looking at the veg garden, absorbed in the wonders of … Read more
The first time I had ME I recovered without paying any particular attention to changing my diet, apart from aiming to eat healthily. However, looking back, the majority of my recovery took place whilst I was travelling around South America where I rarely ate processed foods, bread or pasta. This time around, I have struggled … Read more
Apologies for not writing a proper post today. I had to have a tooth out yesterday and I need to take it easy to get over the anaesthetic. I told the dentist about my condition and asked him to use as week an anaesthetic as possible, but an extraction isn’t the same as a filling: … Read more
