M.E. tired and just in need of support...

[NatalieMc82]

I was diagnosed with M.E. around a year ago, although I have had issues ever since I had glandular fever in my mid-teens (I'm now 31). Tbh I'm just totally fed up of being exhausted beyond belief, in pain, and struggling to think straight. I also have a serious hip injury and two months ago became a single parent again after being in a relationship for ten years. I know things can, and will, get better (the symptoms have always had peaks and troughs) but I could really use some support just now, particularly if anyone reading this has been there and knows what I'm going through...

sorry you're in a bad bit, it sounds tough.

Struggling myself, 7 years in now and its much easier than it was, but still struggling.

It's tough as people outside don't really "get" it or aren't able to help in a way they can for a visible illness.

invisible illness = invisible person so often. it's crap. people don't get why you can't do as much, or can turn up one week but not the next. it ends up isolating you

Similar situation here but with Fibromyalgia and since my teens as well (long story!) It's tough I agree. I'm happy to chat by messages if you like?

Hi I had ME for 10 years and a few things struck me.
Fill in a chart with various headings-Health,Relationships,Money,Family,Career etc and put it away somewhere safe. Repeat and compare it in six months ME can fluctuate so much it is good to get a bigger picture and improvement/impairment trends are easier to spot.

Start a high dose of vitamin D,plan some sunshine and fresh air every day.
If you have children plan now some low impact holiday days with them so you are not stressing as much about the summer holidays.

No medical background but if possible cut out processed foods/sugar-Not easy I lived on sugar relying on the energy boost and really had no energy to cook.Drink room temperature water-your body then won't waste energy bringing it up to the correct temp and try to avoid raw foods as they are harder to digest.

Implement the basis of the lightening program-Every time a stress jumps into your head no matter how trivial acknowledge it then let go. Repeat,repeat,repeat.

Hope that helps,hardest thing I ever did getting over ME and for years the more I fought it the worse I got.
Good luck

Ooooh should have said score each heading in your chart out of 10.

You poor thing- it sounds so hard and you aren't alone. I had chronic fatigue and wanted to stay in bed all day as every move felt an effort. Mine turned out to be due to a new but severe intolerance to wheat, rice and corn which is never have found out by myself but a naturopath helped. I remember how powerless I felt and hope you find lots of support from people in a similar position who understand

There was a support thread in GH, but it moved here, it is for all sorts of illnesses that cause chronic fatigue/pain, not just M.E.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/disabled_parents/2050855-Spoonies-friendly-support-for-anyone-with-chronic-pain-fatigue

I recommend Invest in ME to everyone with ME. They also have a facebook page

I understand I was diagnosed 14 years ago, my most recent flare was 9 years ago after a bout of glandular fever and has never gone away.

Vent away. It really is the absolute relentlessness of it that gets you down, isn't it?