I'm new here

[l7o49ke]

Hi i am new to this website ,but I am looking forward to speaking to you all and finding out how everyone copes with their conditions.i have depression and M.E. hope I get some replies.x

[Calliepet]

Hi, I have had ME for many years and I defy anyone not to get depressed when dealing with this condition. I am on an SSRI antidepressant (Fluoxetine), just a low dose, and it really helps me. Serotonin levels are often messed up with ME so I feel it is a good match.

I used to work part-time and it was hell, I was very ill all the time, so although my life now is very quiet, it is lovely to be able to sleep and rest when I need to and just live my life in 30 minute bursts.

[l7o49ke in reply to Calliepet]

Same here,I had to leave my job a while back and I feel like I don't have a happy life anymore.i don't go out only about once a week on a good week that is.ive distance myself from my friends.i feel like a failure.

[Calliepet in reply to l7o49ke]

The distance from friends (and some family) is probably the hardest thing for me too. Invisible illnesses are really hard for other people to understand. A total of 3 people in my life seem to "get it" and one of those is my daughter who also has ME. I often post or lurk on mypatientmatch.com when I fancy some company, it is so nice to talk to people who understand that washing and dressing is a major achievement some days. Learing to adjust and live with this is the hardest thing I have ever done. I think every day we get through makes us heroic rather than failures. Which other patients are left to fend for themselves the way ME patients are? A few years ago I did a "mindfulness" course and the person who ran the course read the story of the cracked pot. If you don't know it alltimeshortstories.com/lif... I try to change the way I look at my life, for example my carbon footprint is a hell of a lot smaller than when I used to go on holiday every year!

[l7o49ke]

I make excuses all the time because by the time it takes me to get ready I am exhausted.and I start crying at the thought of still having to out.i have two people maybe three that understands my illness,and it's so frustrating trying to explain to people how I feel like this.its nice speaking to you,thanks.

[ME65]

Hi there. Having this illness will probably be the hardest thing you will have to deal with in this life but you can do it and there is support for you. Like the previous poster I would recommend learning mindfullness. It will help you to pace yourself, and help you look at your situation from a different perspective. Like the cracked pot in the story we all have a part to play in this weird and amazing drama called life.

Take care x

[myhealthneeds]

Treat yourself well, if that is possible. Do not blame your body but encourage it and try to rest rather than push yourself to the limit. Don't insist that because you used to be able to do x y z you can still do it now. Find the level where you feel you can cope a little better and be satisfied with that rather than being angry that you can't do what you used to do. Does that make sense?

Where do you live in the UK? Do you belong to a support group? Many people enjoy having people who understand the problem and communicating with them. Having someone who understands and can text you with encouragement, daily or weekly, may help. Being a Christian and having the prayers of others really helps many people and some people call a prayerline for personal prayer, or they might occasionally attend a Retreat where they can relax and recover for a while.

Some people follow a very specific personal diet. I know a woman who does person diets for energy. Let me know if you want to get in touch with her. It is a private service so involves some cost. Juicing, raw diet etc etc you can read about in books too.

All the very best,

M

[l7o49ke]

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply.x

[l7o49ke]

I am exhausted doing the least wee thing ,and I get very angry and frustrated.thanks for your reply.x

[l7o49ke]

Hi everyone,,I have m.e.and sleep apnea.i am going to visit my daughter in Oman in the Far East on Jan 6th.im traveling by myself .i live in Scotland and have to get the train down to Euston station. Will be staying with my son for two days then he will take me to Heathrow airport.im a very nervous person but can cover it up quite well ,till I'm on my own.my son and daughter don't know the true extent of my illness or how bad it effects me,so I try to push myself.i get so exhausted I start to cry and feel I would rather not be here.i feel numb and can't move and take it out on my partner,don't know why he is still with me.im frightened about going in case it's too much to cope with.has anyone any suggestions to make it easier for me.thanks.