'ME isn't all doom and gloom'
Living with ME
Chronic fatigue syndrome, or ME, changes your life, there's no doubt about that. But it doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. Since I got ME, I've done things I'd never dreamed of doing before.
I was working as a part-time hairdresser, when I got glandular fever in 1987. After that, I had hepatitis. Then a virus called coxsackie. Basically, I was really ill for months. But even after they'd gone, I still felt exhausted all the time and had headaches almost daily.
Tests showed nothing wrong with me, then one day a specialist suggested I had Yuppie 'flu. I wasn't a yuppy and knew I didn't have 'flu, but it was one step closer to a diagnosis.
Eventually, I saw a doctor who told me all about ME and said he knew of at least 300 people with it. It was such a relief to be believed, and to know there were other people out there with it. There aren't any drugs to cure ME, but I've learnt to cope with it in other ways. I take herbal supplements and eat an extremely healthy diet. I also find reflexology helps, and I avoid red meat.
I have times when I feel better than others but, in general, I'm much better now than I used to be. I'm even the vice-chair of ME North East branch. I know how important it is for people with ME to be believed and supported. We have a laugh, too, which is always a great medicine.
Viv Jones, 61, Stanley, Co Durham
For more information, visit www.meassociation.org.uk. If you live in the North East, you can also visit www.menortheast.org
- Find out more about chronic fatigue syndrome
- Tips on how to cope with chronic fatigue
- Do you suffer from ME? Chat to other users
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