Does anyone know anything/suffer from M.E?

[Chocol8]

Doc thinks I have it and is sending me to the ME clinic in London. Any comments welcomed.

Hope you're ok Tiptop. Just to say, would love to hear how you get on next week. x

Chocol8 - Hi! I've made a reflexology appointment for next week. I've spotted a notice in the leisure centre that says that they do aromatherapy, reflexology and massage there, too. Also, there is massage available in the sports centre of the local university, so there's plenty of choice once you go looking for it, I suppose!

How are you feeling, now? Have you heard any more about the referral, yet? Hope you're okay!

A fantastic port of call is a good naturopath or herbalist to sort out your immune system through diet, herbs and vitamins etc - find a good one in your area from Guild of Naturopathic Iridologists - www.gni-international.org. They can really pin point how to get you back on track.

NatureDoc - Thanks for your message and the link. I've just been on that website and I've quizzed it for City, County and Postcode and each time the answer is:- "No practitioners found with that criteria. Please press the back button and try again." I'm seeing the reflexologist tomorrow and she might have a list of other practitioners who live locally. Thanks again for trying.

Just a small message of support to you all as a very good friend of mine has had CFS for some time. She really is a lot better now but it took her ages. She now says things like 'I felt exhausted after doing X Y and Z' and then remembers that when she was first ill she could barely have attempted X... anyway, things she has found helpful have been spiritual healing and seeing a specialist herbalist, not sure if it's the same one. Also although she had to go part-time at work, thanks to tax credits she has been able to keep a roof over her head, so if you can possibly get advice about this it may be worth it for you.

I personally wish she would try anti-depressants as another friend found a short course helped him with recovery from ME, but due to her mother's experience with benzodiazepines she is extremely suspicious of conventional medicine and I certainly can't blame her. She has shown great strength in dealing with this thing and i wish you good support and help in your experiences with it.

Which area do you live in? - I may have a colleague practicing from near you.

acnebride - Thanks for your message. I feel that I'm (finally) getting better now and it helps to hear stories of other ME sufferers recovering.

NatureDoc - I have an SY postcode, if that helps, but I'm West of there. About as far West as you can get before getting your feet wet.

Chocol8 - Today I should hear the result re: the dismissal. My head keeps whirring with things I forgot, things I said, things I should've said, etc. The stress is terrible and it's affected my sleep and every waking moment. Anyway...I'll let you know how it turns out. How are you at the moment?

Tiptop hon, what was the decision? I hope you're ok!

I know you know this - but it's no use using your much needed energy up on worrying about what has happened already, about things you said or shouldn't have. You can't change it, so please don't stress over it (hark at me - ought to take my own advice!!!).

Please let us know what they've said. x

Bumpitibump! Calling Tiptop!

Chocol8 - Thank you for your posts. I had the answer on Friday and they have gone ahead with the dismissal. I'm very, very disappointed but I am able to appeal. I have spoken to my union rep and he'll take me through the next part of the process. I've got the next bit to concentrate on, so hopefully I'll not continue to wake up at 5am or 6am worrying about what has happened already. It was about 7am this morning, so that was good; and the night before last when ds woke with a nightmare at 5am, I was able to over-ride my worries and go back to sleep. Oh, and they said that it in no way reflected my work, it's just the amount of sick leave and the uncertainty of knowing if I'd be able to cope with a normal workload in future that has caused the dismissal. Thanks for thinking of me.

How are you keeping?

rosies - I don't know if you'll come back to this thread and I haven't seen you around for a while, but I'll post this anyway. I've had about 3 reflexology treatments so far. I had one on Tuesday and felt okay immediately afterwards except for feeling the need to drink lots. The reflexologist says to drink 8 small glasses of water in the next 24 hours, anyway. That night at about 11pm I felt really down. I went to bed and, once there, I broke down completely. I absolutely sobbed my heart out. Huge, uncontrollable sobs. I don't think I've ever lost it in that way before despite having been bereaved of close family members. When I'd finished crying, I went to sleep in the spare room so that I didn't disturb dh. I had on pjs, socks, my dressing gown, and a blanket and two duvets over me and I was still feeling freezing cold. I would have got up and lit the fire to sleep in front of it, but I couldn't risk disturbing my household and neighbours by going out to the woodpile at 1am! (I can almost see the funny side, now! My circulation is rubbish, btw - my hands and feet always feel cold. My fingers are purple and yellow in the winter and the skin cracks over the fingers.) I eventually managed to sleep but got up once to go to the loo. The next day (yesterday)I cried when preparing food (I think Glenn Miller on the radio set me off) and then later when I was walking my dog. I've booked the next reflexology treatment for next week and after that I expect to go for one every month. Should I put off going to the appointment next week? I know that the reflexologist worked on my kidneys and energy levels, so perhaps I should go, but make sure I tell her of the reaction I had. She always asks me at the start if I'd had any reaction from the last treatment. What do you think? I'm feeling more positive now as yesterday afternoon I did lots of work on my appeal against dismissal and found a few things that the employer should have done that they didn't. I think I might be able to get the decision overturned at the next meeting, especially if the union rep agrees that we've got a case for unfair dismissal and/or disability discrimination. Sorry this is so long.

tiptop, I hope to don't mind me commenting.

When I had reflexology I went for weeks before I had that much reaction. Mine was (a bit) less emotional but more physical. I would be honest with the therapist about what happened - she needs to know in order to continue treatment effectively. I may be wrong - but your more positive feeling may be 'cos of the treatment.

Good Luck if you decide to go ahead with the next session.

Hi Tiptop! Sorry I missed you!

I read your reply about your reactions to the reflexology, and agree with Katiemac that the therapist needs to know about your reaction.

I am so sorry this hit you like it did - you must have been devastated the way you describe it, but surely this has helped now you are feeling more positive. When I have been for reflexology and massage, I usually get a reaction to it, either physically or psychologically. I generally feel really down and depressed and cry lots afterwards, but I look at it as a sort of "clearing out" session. If you had continued feeling low, then this really would need to be assessed/altered.

I am really glad you found some (damning) evidence against the company, that's good! Well done!

I am ok except for the terrible tiredness (off to bed in a mo!) and severe stabbing pains in various parts of my body occasionally, but nothing too major. My skin condition is AWFUL at the moment and in itself is really quite depressing, but it's not gonna go away, so may as well get used to living with it.

I promise to check this thread more often and catch up with you, I would be interested to see how your next session goes. Good luck with it, it does sound like it is helping you. x

KatieMac - Thanks for your message. I'll go for my next appointment as planned. In a way, it was good to get it all out. It wasn't nice at the time, but I think I feel better having let it all out. I will tell the reflexologist at the start of the next appointment. The reflexologist is very thorough and experienced, so I'm sure she'll do everything correctly.

Chocol8 - Thanks for your post. As you can see from above, I agree that it was a "clearing out" experience and I haven't cried since Wednesday, so I think it's out of my system now. I'll go to the next appointment on Monday as planned.

There have been some errors made by the company during the dismissal procedure but that might not help me much at the stage we're now at. I think it might mean that I could claim unfair dismissal and/or disability discrimination but that would have to be after this next stage has been finished with. The union rep is looking into it. I'm meeting him next week and we'll build up my case ready for the next representation. The procedural errors might swing it in my favour if my case is almost strong enough.

I'm sorry that your skin condition is so bad atm. I can identify with your other symptoms and it's horrible to have to cope with it. Have you had that appointment to confirm if it is ME/CFS yet? Are work being supportive to you? Have you looked at the Disability Rights Commission website and the Citizens Advice Bureau website? I've found them helpful and I wished I'd looked at them before. Ironically, of course, I didn't have the energy to find them and look at them when I needed them. There's a bit in the DRC website about an employer forcing medical retirement on you which I wish I'd known about last year as it would have given me some protection then.

Anyway...thanks for looking at this thread. Don't worry about not coming back sooner. I think you're doing really well. We'll support each other.

Tiptop - how did the next session of Reflexology go?
Are you alright?

KatieMac - I'm fine, thanks for asking! I had another reflexology appointment yesterday and I seem to be quite used to them now. I'm now going once a month. I'm getting a bit too familiar with the plinkety plonk bird music, though!

I've just had good news - I've won my appeal against dismissal! I'm feeling so much better now and I really hope that I'll be fine health wise from now on. I'll be going back to a part-time post with the same organisation sometime in the next few weeks. I've just got to wait while they sort it out.

Chocol8 - How are you these days?

tiptop!!

hi there! sorry, i did stop coming to MN... but thought i'd look in tonight. and how fortunate!

i would have said anyway, YES, definitely go to the sessions. reflexology, imo, is having a good effect on you. wow! what a great reaction... i bet your therapist lapped it up .

reflexology works, it is said, by clearing our energy channels, particularly of emotional blockages... did your therapist explain all this? so, by having the reaction you did, your healing is underway. most of our physical ailments come from emotional problems, they just manifest in a physical way.

so excellent stuff! do keep us posted. i'll pop is from time to time, or CAT me, if you like

rosies - Thanks for your post. Just a quick reply as I'm about to go to bed. I think I felt quite embarassed at my blubbery reaction. I think I remember her saying that it was a good reaction to have. Normally, I just feel the need to drink more and that's it. Sometimes my head feels a bit achey while the treatment is going on. I'm going to use the blanket in future as I felt cold without it last time. I also relax quicker with it as it's a switching off mechanism, I suppose. What do you recommend that the best time for reflexology is? I tend to go in the morning or else early afternoon, but I don't take it easy afterwards as there's always so much to be done. I do drink about 8 small glasses of water in the next 24 hours if I can. Is that okay, or should I be doing anything else as well? I'm waffling and it's bed time. Thanks again for posting and the support!

Forgot to say, sorry for the late reply, but I've been away on hols!

Congratulations Tiptop - I was so happy to read your post!!!! Well done. Just think, if you can win an appeal whilst having ME, you can do ANYTHING! Just fantastic.

There has been no more news on my assessment, which means they will probably not be doing one. I am actually ok at the moment - very tired and weary at times, but generally ok.

I had a very bad throat infection recently and went to the docs on an emergency appointment as I could barely swallow and there were white and yellow big pussy spots on the back of my throat. I had anti-biotics for it but when I finished the course, I flared up with a really bad rash all over my chest, the sides of my face and my neck. It looked AWFUL so I guess this means another antibiotic I can't use (allergic to penecillin).

I changed my diet recently and am eating more healthily and have lost some weight, so I think this is due to my feeling better. I have also invested in some Flax Oil (veggie) so will see how that helps, if any.

I am very pleased this has all worked out for you, but please don't overdo it when you return to work [worry emoticon].

Please let us know how you are getting on Tiptop and CAT me if you like. xx

Chocol8 - Hi, there! Thanks for the post. Sorry that you've had such a bad throat infection. I've had a number of them, but only one stinker where, like you, I could barely swallow. It was the school hols, the kids were little and I was away alone with them as dh was abroad for a week. Stress related, I expect. Remember to have it written on your doctors notes that you've had such a severe reaction, so that they know for next time. Sorry that you're very tired and weary. As I know only too well, it's a stage you have to allow to run it's course. I now amaze myself at how much I can do though I try to be careful not to overdo it. Today I was out all morning, then made a roast dinner and hoovered and dusted. I only dusted the worst bits and the living room is officially a write off, but half the house is actually presentable! Nothing like visitors coming to make you clean, is there! I know what you mean about not over doing it. I will ring the lady who cleans locally, though she is really busy and I don't know if she'd take me on. I feel a bit like I'm in a Catch 22; I feel that I need to tidy up a fair bit before I can bear to have someone in. Anyway...I will ring her. I've thought out possible working hours for my return to work. It's only half a normal working week, which is good. I might do 4 mornings or else 3 full school days. I need to find out which office I'll be in first. Keep your fingers crossed for a nice line manager for me! Have you taken a look at the Disability Rights Commission website with regards to your situation? There's info on there that I really wish I'd known before. I've also changed my diet for the better and I'm drinking more water daily than before. Like you, I've lost weight. I've now got size 16 trousers that are way too big for me. I suppose I'd better keep them incase I put on weight again, though I bet that if I do, bootlegs will be out of fashion and they'll be useless! Thanks for your offer for me to CAT you. I will do it this weekend. Speak to you soon.

tiptop, I'm glad to hear the news about your job. when you say you won the appeal, do you mean the employment tribunal hearing? or did you employers actually give you your job back? Sorry, just being nosey - sort of professional curiousity. Whichever it is, I am glad that you are happy with the outcome.

sis - Hi. I made one oral representation as to why I didn't think I should be dismissed. That failed and I received a letter terminating my employment with 3 months notice. I then wrote confirming that I wished to exercise my right to make a further appeal to a more senior manager. Before the date of this appeal, I was signed back to work by my doctor as now being fit for work. Btw, I started to get better in the New Year, but the doctor needed to see continued and sustained improvement before signing me back. They wrote to say they would start paying me again (I was on nil pay by that stage) but that my attendance at work was not required. My doctor wrote a letter of support for me. I'd given him copies of the letters from work and discussed them with him, so he knew the reasons they were giving for dismissal and could word his letter to address these concerns. Then I made the second appeal. They then wrote to say that they were now satisfied that I was now better, my appeal was upheld and that they would find me a new post locally. There was some rubbish in the letter that I'm sure they can't write and get away with about me not being able to be absent again for any length of time due to sick leave, but I'll contest that if I ever need to. If my appeal had failed, I could have taken it to another appeal board and also an employment tribunal, I think. I'm glad I didn't have to. It has been a hugely stressful 3 months from the time they instigated dismissal proceedings to the second appeal. Thanks for your interest.

Wow Tiptop....good for you

That is really great Tiptop, and even better because it must mean that your health has greatly improved. Well done for standing up for yourself.
Sis