Help with M.E /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

I developed M.E 5 years ago triggered by pregnancy. After 2 years it seemed to settle. Over the last 8 months it has crept back and I now have debilitating symptoms. I'm exhausted constantly, my body hurts all over and I can't do anything. I have other health problems and am due to have surgery again in 2 weeks. I'm a single parent and desperately need to be able to look after my 4yr old. Can anyone give any advise to help me feel better? Is it worth seeing my GP ? I'm waiting for a consultant appt but symptoms seem to be getting worse...Thankyou x

I have spoken to my GP and she said there is no medication for M.E and nothing she could do except antidepressants agghhhh

So sorry to hear of your health problems. I sympathise as I have had M.E. for ten years. It is worth seeing a doctor, but only if he/she is sympathetic - sadly, despite a lot of evidence now that M.E. is a real, physical illness, some doctors still treat it as 'all in the mind'. So, ask in advance, whether the doctor/consultant has a genuine interest in and knowledge of the illness. A good doctor should be able to prescribe medication to help with pain and sleep problems. I have found a drug called amitryptiliine to be helpful.

Beccy,- amitriptyline (sorry, I spelt it wrongly before) is officially an antidepressant, BUT in low doses (10-30mg per night) it is used widely as a treatment for pain and insomnia. It is very commonly used in ME. If your GP doesn't know this, then he/she is obviously pretty useless when it comes to helping you. Try to find someone who knows more.

Ask if you would be eligible for help with housework etc. in order that you can spend any energy you have on your child. Try to get your 4 year old to help with very simple tasks - putting toys away etc. Do as many 'quiet' activities with him/her as you can (reading, getting them to draw, do puzzles etc.) to make up for not being able to do more energetic things.

Some people have found various alternative remedies helpful. The societies mentioned below will be able to give advice on this.

But, from my own experience, I would say that frantically using up energy trying to find the magic cure can be counter productive. The best remedy I have found is resting as much as possible, pacing myself when I feel a bit better, and just doing the basic tasks at home to keep things ticking over. I do hope that you have friends or family who might be able to help you. Remember though that talking takes up a huge amount of energy, so you'll need to explain to people that you need rest above all. Look after yourself, eat well, sort out your other health problems, and you should gradually start to heal.

Have you joined either of the two societies for M.E. sufferers? Their magazines, internet pages, and helplines can be a useful source of advice. They are Action for ME and the ME Society - internet addresses below. However, don't be frightened by the occasional article about very severely affected patients - the vast majority of people do manage to live happy and fulfilling lives even if they are not fully well, and very many get completely better.

I wish you the best of health in the future.

See your GP at the earliest opportunity, ME, is more understood now, than when i first displayed symptoms, and the doctors would not agree that is what i had at the time.
Get help, because as you say it is debilitating, but there's help there, and better medication to help you cope.

A friend of mine had it for nearly 2 years and got Mickel Therapy and it cured it. It's not available on the NHS though. It involves "reprogramming" a lobe in the brain. See their website www.mickeltherapy.com

go and see your GP now, my mother developed this after my sister was born 16 yrs ago and up until about 3/4 yrs ago they wouldnt believe her and said she was making it up.

it took years and a couple of solicitors to get her pension and to be able to apply for invalidity benefit as she couldnt work. she still has bad days but she has enough knowledge about it now to know how to cope.

there is no cure just a way to control and cope with it. you must try not to do too much as this will make you feel worse for possibly weeks. try to take a nap during the day for about an hour (not easy with a young child, i know) and you'll feel much better for it.

Aloe Vera seemed to help my mother for a while and ginger is also good.

she used to buy this aloe vera drink in a big bottle and drink a little each day. tasted disgusting but it worked for a while.

good luck!

Your poor thing - ME is awful.

There is no cure but the symptoms can be treated.

Your GP can prescribe antidepressants, Venlafaxine is good.

Go Private and ask for Modafinil - thats great for ME symptoms.

Apart from that, look after yourself, dont drink or smoke, eat a healthy diet and do as much exercise as you can.

Good Luck.

The private hospital below has expert doctors working with people who have ME.Often symptoms of ME are related to infection and if they find thats true in your case they should offer treatment.