Living with ME -

HOW many people knew that May 12 was National ME Awareness Day?

Come to that, how many people know what ME is?

ME stands for Myalgic Encephalomylitis and is an incurable condition, and a vastly underrated and grossly misunderstood illness.

It is also not considered a high-profile illness since it generally does not kill those who suffer from it.

Some people, though, commit suicide because they can't stand the suffering or having to fight long, drawn-out battles to claim benefits any more.

Some have to battle just to be recognised as genuinely ill, against a medical profession that is too ready to dismiss ME as a psychosomatic illness, or even to refuse to believe that it exists at all.

And against disbelieving friends, family and public who believe the doctors, because doctors are supposed to know about these things, the truth is, sufferers often know more than the medical profession does.

I am moderately affected. To me, ME is like having a nasty dose of the flu, except that it never gets better.

I have all the fluey symptoms, including muscle and joint pain, weakness, migraine-type headaches, and sweats and chills.

I have dizziness and disorientation, blackouts and hallucinations and cognitive problems, as if I had a permanent fever.

Intolerance to certain foods, such as wheat and dairy, especially milk, and of course, nausea and chronic exhaustion, which cannot be helped by any known medication.

When I first became ill with full-blown ME in 1991, I was working as an archaeologist, a job I had wanted to do for most of my life. I told myself that if I could just make it through the next few months I would get better and be able to carry on with the rest of my life.

I struggled to hang on to my job for 15 months before having to be retired on medical grounds. That was 14 years ago.

There are some things that can bring a little relief from symptoms. Sticking to a healthy diet of fresh vegetables, unprocessed meat and fruit (very difficult, if you live on your own and don't have the strength to prepare them), and drinking plenty of water.

Taking certain supplements to bring a little relief from joint and muscle pain and involuntary spasms, to try to strengthen the immune system, and to try to boost poor circulation also helps.

Some sufferers have turned to alternative therapies such as acupuncture, Chinese medicine and homeopathy, and some of those have been helped a little by them.

Some have also found shiatsu to be helpful.

When you're suffering from an incurable illness, and have been for years, any relief - however slight and fleeting - is welcome."

To find out more about ME contact Hampshire Friends with ME on 023 9260 1083 or e-mail midbarncott@supanet.com