DD(14) is awaiting diagnosis for CFS/ME. I have found the previous support threads for CFS/ ME really helpful and have learnt so much reading the linked websites and speaking to AYME.
She's been ill for 8 weeks, missed loads of school and is currently trying to find her baseline. We're trying going into school for 2 periods a day this week to see if she can sustain this over 5 days. Last week she only managed 3 days in a row but that was because she had started off with 4 periods, reduced down to 2 for 2 days and then was off for a whole day. Boom and bust!
On the days she's not at school we have encouraged her to get up and dressed which she does. She couldn't do this 8 weeks ago which I think is improvement.
Our dilemma at the moment is that we have a week's holiday booked to the south of Spain over Easter (25/3). We can't decide whether to still go as we are not sure if the benefits of being in the sun and warmth will outweigh the physical toil of actually getting there.
She is presenting with the headache form of it, rather than muscular aches. The information I've read on the benefits of sun for CFS suffers seems to focus on alieviating muscular pain. She is also not the type of person who seems energised from being in the sun and tends to choose the darkest corner or closes the shutters during the day when on holiday.
AYME suggested that we requested assistance for DD at the airports to minimise the physical activity but there will of course be a lot of other stimulation which will be tiring for her. They have also said that travelling may set her back in her recovery. Obviously this is a concern and a good reason to cancel.
The other slight complication or consideration is that DS(11) has been looking forward to this holiday for a long time. He understands that we might have to cancel because DD is ill and we wouldn't jeopardise DD's health to keep DS happy. But it's hard to juggle both their needs.
I wondered if anyone had any advice please?
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Children's health
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and is it worth the physical toil of travelling for a week in the sun?
chicaguapa · 07/03/2016 21:57
You should definitely be asking for a wheelchair at airports, you can then wheel her to the plane doors, and be collected with a wheelchair. Don't take any chances with the fatigue and try to alleviate her exerting herself as much as possible,
It's a horrid illness to have, I can fully empathise, the condition has systematically destroyed all facets of my former life. It may even be worth buying a cheap wheelchair to take with you - mine cost £70 from Amazon (Better Life @ Lloyds Pharmacy). 
We did go, yes. The GP wouldn't sign DD off as not being able to go so we couldn't claim it back on the travel insurance. It wasn't the best holiday we've been on but it was nice to get some sun and we'd have lost the money if we didn't go anyway.
It went ok. We had special assistance at the airports which was variable but it did ease some of the travelling fatigue for DD as there was less waiting around in queues compared to usual. We hired a wheelchair out there and managed a few small trips out but she could only really manage an hour before going grey.
We made DD sit outside for 15 minutes each day (which she timed to the second 
) so I hope that it has done her some good. I would say at minimum it was a break from the monotony of being ill at home every day and at best it was some beneficial UV rays for serotonin and vitamin D production, even if she doesn't notice any difference in herself.
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