Also called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) – and the silent disease as sufferers may look completely normal and no one knows what it is like for them to feel so awful all the time.

What are the symptoms?

Tired all the time even after resting

Fatigue that can last for 24 hours after any exercise or exertion normally performed

• Muscle soreness and joint pain
• Headaches/Migraine
• IBS or other bowel condition
• Lack of concentration, forgetfulness, confusion
• Disturbed sleep or little sleep or even too much sleep
• Depression
• Disorientation or a “spacey” feeling
• Flu like symptoms, swollen glands, excess sweating, feeling the cold

There are many symptoms that may be associated with this silent illness and it can be difficult for any medical doctor to diagnosis as there are no tests that can confirm it either way. Usually doctors will perform such tests as hormone and nutrient levels, the sufferer may even be referred for psychotherapy or prescribed anti-depressants !

A medical doctor will look at someone who has been ill for six months or more before actually diagnosing which is a long time in anyone’s life to be under par.

Chronic fatigue can go on for years unless there is a practitioner that can work with these people and in my experience it takes time, patience and complete understanding of the client and their life circumstances to combat the problem. People do get well.

I have seen people with Chronic Fatigue who have had a viral illness or bacterial infection, have taken lots of anti-biotics, anti-depressants who end up with blood sugar imbalances, food intolerances, hormonal imbalances, environmental sensitivities, candida, which all lead to liver toxicity, kidney disorders and of course digestive problems. The body becomes completely intolerant of itself and it is fighting all the time and weakening the person. It is a little like fighting off an illness and becoming very tired of it all.

There is help and I have helped people with change of diet and lifestyle which gets them on the road to recovery, it can be quite a journey and would often involve the help of other specialists such as coaching/counselling, hypnosis and other mind techniques.

Never lose hope as there is always something that can be done.

Trisha Stewart