Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
From Invisible Disabilities Association. Don’t judge appearances. People with invisible disabilities don’t LOOK Disabled. Don’t judge appearances when you think you see someone abusing privileges or rights reserved for the disabled because you might be making a common mistake based on perception. Have you ever seen someone get out of a car parked […]
By Emma Pritchard in Women’s Health. If you’re barely holding your heavy eyes open as you crawl into the long weekend, then what you’re experiencing might be beyond mere tiredness. And you wouldn’t be alone. According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, one in five people experiences unusual tiredness at any given time, […]
From M.E. Support. Migraine: isn’t that just a bad headache? Migraine is a condition which affects people of any age, gender and ethnic group. Far more than ‘just a headache’, migraine affects the whole body and can result in many symptoms. Often people experience an intense throbbing headache which may affect one […]
By Cort Johnson in Health Rising. For years, ketamine was known for its use as an anesthetic or as a recreational drug. It had the nice benefit of being able to knock one out without impacting heart rate or breathing. Its ability to provide quick and safe sedation saved many lives during the Vietnam […]
Listen To ME Good morning television My company for the day I hope you haven’t missed me While I’ve been away I’ve been in bed, not well you see There’s a big long word But we call it M.E. Used to be out there Working and doing ‘stuff’ Then one day, whilst […]
By Cort Johnson in Health Rising. David Tuller is a unique figure in the ME/CFS universe. A reporter and editor for the San Francisco Chronicle, Salon and writer for the New York Times, the policy journal Health Affairs, and other publications, Tuller became outraged at the long history of neglect and abuse directed toward ME/CFS. His publications […]
By Jane Shaw in M.E. Support. Introduction I am writing this in October 2018, and most people have had their holidays for this year and might be thinking of where to go next year, if they haven’t been put off by Brexit scares and uncertainties. Travelling abroad is fun for most people, but […]
The York ME Community runs an Inter-Company Fantasy Football League sponsored by TGA Mobility. This is to help raise awareness of the illness that affects around 250,00 people in the UK, and 800 in the York area alone. The B Team of Bransby Wilson are looking strong favourites to win the league this season, […]
By Chloe Leanne Brooks in ME Support. I used to live by the motto “Don’t wait for the storm to pass, learn to dance in the rain” – but unfortunately, in my life this is no longer the case. My life is stormy. I can’t dance through this pain and heartache any more because […]
By David Tuller, DrPH As of this post, I have achieved 57% of my goal, with 542 donations and 15 days left to go. I think that’s pretty good! I’m optimistic about getting reasonably close to the amount I’m trying to raise. Folks at Berkeley certainly notice the success of my crowdfunding. It […]
By Ally Teixeira in The Mighty. Having a chronic illness isn’t easy. All of us chronically ill warriors may feel alone, but we all have a lot in common! Here are 12 things that happen when you’re chronically ill. You know you have a chronic illness when… 1. Doing your hair feels like some serious […]
From Not Just Tired. After a good day, or a spell of feeling pretty ok, it’s always a kick in the teeth when Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM) catches up with you. As I’m sure those of you living with ME/CFS, will be all too familiar with. For those not familiar, PEM is the worsening […]
By Greg Crowhurst in M.E. Support. Linda, my wife, collapsed over two decades ago and very quickly became bed bound. In the months leading up to her collapse, she had had several operations and a long chest infection. For almost two years prior to that she was in constant pain, experiencing severe pins […]
By Jack Croxall in #MEAction. I came to on the floor of a supermarket in an affluent London borough. I was staring up at a paneled ceiling, half-blinded by piercing white lights. After a groggy moment of confusion, panic set in. I leapt up, finding myself in the middle of a queue […]
From Eureka Alert. When mitochondria become damaged, they avoid causing further problems by signaling cellular proteins to degrade them. In a paper publishing April 11, 2019, in the journal Developmental Cell, scientists in Norway report that they have discovered how the cells trigger this process, which is called mitophagy. In cells with broken mitochondria, […]
By Cort Johnson in Simmaron Research. Could a disease found in the remote villages of East Africa end up being a model for chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)? Dr. Avindra Nath – the leader of the NIH Intramural study on ME/CFS – thinks perhaps so. He’s not daunted by mysterious diseases and nor […]
From The Royal College Of Physicians. With many in the medical profession misunderstanding ME, Dr Nina Muirhead recounts her own experience with the illness and how it reshaped her understanding of it. Many doctors can find themselves in the position of the patient, and being informed of one’s own diagnosis can be […]
By Dr David Tuller. Steven Olson, MD, a 1984 graduate of the UC Davis School of Medicine, practices family medicine at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Rosa, Calif. He also serves as the Permanente Medical Group’s regional physician director for Northern California, an area that includes some 4.5 million members. Among his responsibilities is to oversee […]
By Jennie Spotila in Occupy M.E. Last year, I fully endorsed Dr. David Tuller’s crowdfunding appeal in support of his investigative reporting on ME. This year, I am happy to endorse Tuller’s fundraising once again. The progress report that accompanies Dr. Tuller’s fundraising request (and also posted on Virology blog) details his research, writing and publications during the last year. […]
By Josie Richardson in Huffpost. Like Victorian women being branded ‘hysterical’, women like my best friend are being silenced. “ME, that’s the one where you don’t feel like going to work today,” Ricky Gervais once quipped on-stage. He voices a common feeling. I have heard someone casually proclaim that they must have […]
From Invest in ME Research. IIMEC14 is the fourteenth annual international ME conference that the charity has organised in London. For many of those years the charity often communicated with a patient/advocate in Sweden – someone we are proud to have called our friend. Anne Örtegren passed away in January 2018. […]
From All About M.E. My cousin Ian Rudd died in April 2018. Paramedics were called in the early morning and were unable to resuscitate him. This is an edited version of a blog I wrote for severe ME Day in 2015 while Ian was still alive. He suffered from a cruel disease called […]
From Utting-Wolff Spouts. When children don’t get well, when there is no adequate treatment, and they remain ill, we need to step in and fight for their right to be part of society. When children don’t get well, time passes by, sometimes like treacle, sometimes quickly, with the realisation that another school year has whipped […]
By Caitlin Phillips-Peddlesden in The Mighty. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) fatigue. The invisible illness vampire. The blood- (or energy-) sucking beast ever at your shoulder, teeth in your neck. CFS fatigue is invisible. Many people with CFS have no visibly discernible symptoms. Only the bags under our eyes point to the constant torture people […]
From Heathrow.com. At Heathrow we understand all passengers are unique and we offer different levels of support tailored to your needs. For a hidden disability such as autism, dementia or anxiety, help is always at hand at the airport. If you would like to book assistance just let your airline know 48 […]
By ME Action Network UK. Topline findings A new patient survey of 2274 respondents has confirmed that graded exercise therapy (GET) is harming a large majority of people with ME receiving this treatment in the UK. A majority of people with ME report that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) led to no change in their […]
From ME Research UK. Cara Tomas and colleagues from Newcastle University have recently published a report on mitochondrial function in ME/CFS, and this study is related to research on muscle fatigue they are currently pursuing with support from ME Research UK. The mitochondria are considered the power plants of the body, generating the energy needed to […]
From Annals of Internal Medicine. Abstract Background:Previous phase 2 trials indicated benefit from B-lymphocyte depletion in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Objective:To evaluate the effect of the monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody rituximab versus placebo in patients with ME/CFS. Design:Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02229942) Setting:4 university hospitals and 1 general hospital in […]
By Ashley in The Mighty. I’ve been a paramedic on and off for 10 years now. I’ve seen the good and the bad — probably more bad than good, but I’ve opened my eyes to something different. I’ve seen people in Facebook groups post about how health care professionals treat people with invisible illnesses poorly because they […]
Holidays And ME It seems so weird to need a break “You’re on a constant one for goodness sake” So with these words sunk to the hilt I book it up, so full of guilt. I need a rest just from the packing Lots of breaks as energy’s lacking Just the thought […]
By Carrie-Ann Lightly. Air travel for a disabled person can be difficult, and daunting, but with the right information and planning it can be done. Here are my tips to help your flight go smoothly, so all you have to worry about is enjoying your holiday! Mobility Equipment If you need […]
From the Two Doughnts blog. on tuesday i travelled to birmingham nec for naidex. it’s a yearly convention for all things disabled. or as i like to call it – all things i can’t afford. i felt right at home of course with all my wheelchair homie’s rocking up for the occasion. it was […]
By Cort Johnson in Health Rising. With its regular news updates, information on drugs and diseases, quizzes, conference overviews, and educational courses, Medscape, which just turned 20 years old, strives to be a kind of one-stop shop for medical professionals (and consumers). It appears to be succeeding. Producing dozens of news stories a day, […]
From The Brainless Blogger. Okay, so stop telling people it could be worse. Yeah. It could be worse. It can always be worse. But it sure as hell could be better. We are aware it could be worse. We tell ourselves this sometimes to get through. Hell, sometimes worse happens and we are […]
By Amy Saunders in The Mighty. Living with an illness is hard. It means being ill. It means constant worry that you’re going to be ill. And it means your life is spent managing your illness to avoid being ill. You can have days when you feel on top of the world […]
By Natasha Lipman. It took me a long time to come to terms with deciding to become a wheelchair user, but when I knew that I was ready it was like a switch flicked in my brain. For the first time in years, I had a ‘real job’, and even the few […]
By Candida Reece in The Mighty. Having a chronic illness can mean life can be rough. It means going to the store with only one sock on because you didn’t want to go through the pain to find the other one; or maybe your shirt is inside out, or you have two different shoes, or clothes […]
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Sun 28 Apr 2019 - The York Inset Scooter Club will be setting off on their annual Mods and Rockers Charity Ride Out from Clifford's Tower in York to the coast in aid of The York ME Community. Departure time is 10.30 am. Why not come a long to wave them off with us ?
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Mon 6 May 2019 at 11 am - The York ME Community Coffee Club at Bar Convent, 17 Blossom Street, York.
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6 - 12 May 2019 #Missing Millions Events around the country.
For Birmingham, on Friday 10 May, 12 noon to 4pm, at St Philip's Cathedral.
For Leeds, on 11 May, full details can be found by clicking on the link below:
Link to Missing Millions Event in Leeds
For Bristol, 11 May, contact : BristolMissingMillions@gmail.com.
For Liverpool 11 May, contact ask@alishawitham.com
For Norwich 11 May, 11.00 am by McDonald's and NEXT.
For Durham, 11 May, 11.30 am to 3 pm in Durham City Market Place. Info at: www.menortheast.org
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12 May 2019 (but may be for the week around that date)
Clifford's Tower and city walls in York will be lit in blue for ME Awareness.
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To get involved in Nottingham on 12 May, contact: meshnottingham@gmail.com.
For Southampton on 12 May, MillionsMissingSouthampton@gmail.com.
For Glasgow 12 May, starts at 2 pm at George Square.
For London 12 May, starts at 12.30 pm, ends 2.30 pm, St John's, Waterloo Road, SE1 8TY.
For Hebden Bridge on 12 May, starts at 12.00 pm.
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Wed 15 May 2019 - at 2 pm - The York ME Community Coffee Club at Novotel York.
Sunday 19 May 2019 - #22 - Riga (Latvia)
Mike Harley's EU Marathons for Invest in ME Research
Link to Mike's Website For More Information
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31 May 2019 - Invest In ME Research Conferences, London.
This annual international, CPD accredited research conference provides a platform for the latest and most promising biomedical research into ME.
IIMEC14 will be the fourteenth conference and regularly attracts researchers, clinicians, doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, healthcare professionals and patient groups twenty countries from around the world.
The conference is a full day event from 09.00 to 17.30.
For up to date information, click on the link below:
Link to Invest In ME Research Conferences Information
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Weekly - Every Wed, 8 pm - 9 pm on Twitter, ME Awareness Hour using the #MEAwarenesshour hashtag.
Would you like to help your local community ?
By current research, there are around 800 people in the York area suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). This might include the work colleagues you haven't seen in some time, or your friends and family, maybe one of the lads who hasn't turned up for five-a-side for a while.
There's information at the top of this site to explain how it affects people and ruins lives. These are your neighbours; would you like to help ? To read the rest of this request, click on the link below:
The social element of this site is via a Facebook Group called The York ME Community.
This is available to people in the York area looking for help, advice and support, whether those diagnosed, family or friends. We are a close knit group who discuss more than just ME, as we like to think that we are not defined by this illness. We discuss every day things, have a laugh, and try to meet via our Coffee Club if the beast that is ME allows us ! If you apply to join, please check your Facebook messages, as there are a couple of automated questions to be answered before being welcomed to the group.
Please don't apply to join if you are promoting your preferred remedy. I'm happy to mention your company within the group, but it's for individuals to choose what they wish to try in their battle to seek an improvement in their health.
Some companies and organisations offer discounts for disabled people and their carers – click on the link below to find out what you could save.
Carol Monaghan SNP spoke in Westminster Hall about the need for support and funds for ME Research. Many other MP's spoke passionately on the subject as it affects their constituents UK wide. Click on the link below to watch the full debate.
STOP PRESS: FULL DEBATE TO BE HELD IN PARLIAMENT ON THURSDAY 24TH JANUARY 2019
Anil's interview gives a great insight to the man and his ME mission !
Link to Anil van der Zee's Interview
Having read the above interview, I'd recommend a visit to David's Blog below:
After a pretty tough time, the guys riding as part of The Nomadic Knights group, made it to Everest Base Camp. I hope we can use this story to gain interest from media sources to help raise awareness for us all. It's the least the guys deserve for all their efforts.
19 May 2017.
“Very pleased to report that we reached Mt Qomolangma (Everest) Base Camp with the ME Awareness Flag at 1528hrs on Thursday 18th May. Three and a half hours after we had planned but time in Tibet can sometimes be very fluid. The base camp is located at 5200m, walking to the final destination was challenging in itself due to low oxygen levels.
Conditions at base camp were extremely windy (good for flag flying) with intermittent clouds with no particular destination in mind and the sun was not ideal for photos."
Debbie North, our TOG wheelchair walk designer uses an off-road mobility scooter, also called an all terrain hopper to access the countryside and wants to inspire other wheelchair users to do the same through her wheel friendly walks.
Wheelchair friendly walks are a selection of walks that the TOG team have carefully selected for families using pushchairs, wheelchairs or bicycles.
The Jen Brea ME film 'Unrest', about her story and struggle with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) was shown to a sellout audience at City Screen York on 1st November, prompting a second showing on 16 November. This film has won awards at The Sundance Film Festival and is a must see for all wishing and needing to know more about an illness affecting over 800 people in the York area alone.
Although still showing around the UK and worldwide, it's now also available on Amazon and iTunes and through the Unrest UK Store on DVD and Blu-Ray by clicking on this link: Unrest site to save having to undertake a journey to the cinema.,
Please spread the word through your GP, MP, Company HR Teams and any other people of influence you may know. Thank you.
One of the major questions raised is the blending of ME with CFS. This chart on the Hummingbirds site illustrates the many differences between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).
For confidential and independent advice for everyone on welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment, consumer rights and much more.
Welcome to Broken Puppet Theatre Company.
We are a small team of creative professionals who live with chronic illness and invisible disabilities. We work with theatre, film and puppetry to support children, families, schools and communities who are learning to share their world with chronic illness and invisible disabilities too. Our aim is to provide creative expression and escapism wherever they are needed.
Helpfulpeeps is a platform that allows people in any given area to ask for and offer help to one another. Although this is a nationwide facility, by adding your street name, the system automatically drops a pin on that location and you only see posts from a 20 mile radius. You have the option to narrow or widen this radius. I hope this is a useful facility for members of our Community.
If you're given the time and space to talk things through, you can find a way through your problems.
Samaritans help you to explore your options so you can make decisions that are right for you.
Upon request, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service can carry out a home fire safety visit to your home, completely free of charge. This visit involves fire service staff coming to your home to give you advice on fire safety in the home, actions you can take to reduce the risk of fire, and discuss escape routes should fire occur.
If you don't aim to take up this offer, please at least check the batteries on your smoke alarms on a regular basis. If you want to read more, click on the link below:
AccessAble in York provides information on Shopmobility, Talking Signs, Dial & Ride, York Wheels and accessible Hotels, Restaurants, Public Toilets and a whole lot more in our city. To find out more before setting off for York, click on the link below:
The York Inset Scooter Club is based in York (UK) and has a membership of around 250.
They are a thriving, active club and look to support local charities when they can. They have an annual Mods and Rockers charity ride out, and for 2019 have agreed to support The York ME Community.
They will head off from The York Eye (Clifford’s Tower) on Sun 28 Apr on a run out to the coast, and be set off by the Mayor of York and the York Normandy Veterans. They aim to depart at 10.30 am. Why not come along and wave them off with us ?
All money raised will be used to raise the profile of ME in York through posters being produced and put up in local business premises, clubs, schools, GP Surgeries and venues. The picture shows the club gathering before last year’s Charity Ride Out. More details will be given nearer the time, and will be highlighted on this site.
Last season was a great success with 15 teams involved, and this season is going brilliantly with the aim of spreading ME Awareness. As a bonus, we have also raised £725.00 for Invest in ME Research.
This is a call out to all York Businesses, Clubs and Venues to put it in your diaries for next season and support your local ME Community.
To join in for next season and help raise ME Awareness in your local area, have a look at the tab at the top of the site for more information.
Our Coffee Club meets twice a month for a cuppa and a natter.
Dates and times will always be shown in our diary at the top left of this site.
The Coffee Club is open to anyone either with ME, or friends and family looking for support from people who understand.
Due to the nature of the illness, there will be times when numbers are low, but if you'd like to attend, either just turn up on the day, or email me at bill@York-ME-Community.org. If you're a member of our Facebook Group, you can of course say you'll be going via the notice in the Events area.
Euan’s Guide is the disabled access review website used by disabled people to review, share and discover accessible places to visit. The charity was founded in 2013 by Euan MacDonald, who is a powerchair user, and his sister Kiki. As Euan’s access requirements changed, both went in search of recommendations for accessible places to go, but a platform for this kind of information didn’t exist. Built as a friendly and honest alternative to hours of web searching and phone calls before visiting somewhere new, Euan’s Guide now has thousands of disabled access reviews and listings for places all over the UK and beyond.
To go to Euan's Website, click on the link below:
Help us raise money for The York ME Community to pass onto Invest in ME Research every time you shop online, and it doesn't cost you a penny !
By using the link below, when you shop online with a huge number of shops, they will pass a percentage of your purchase cost to our fund. THIS MONEY IS DONATED BY THE RETAILERS, NOT YOU !
Written Question to the Department of Health and Social Care on 22 May 2018 by Carol Monaghan SNP, answered by Caroline Dinenage Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
| Financial Year | £ |
| 2014-15 | 280,442 |
| 2015-16 | 295,626 |
| 2016-17 | 130,958 |
A TRUE STORY BY JESSICA TAYLOR-BEARMAN
Book Description: From a darkened world, bound by four walls, a young woman called Jessica tells the tale of her battle against the M.E Monster. The severest form of a neuro immune disease called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis went to war with her at just 15 years old. From beneath her dark glasses, Jessica glimpses a world far different from the one she remembers as a teenage school girl. This true story follows her path as she ends up living in hospital for years with tubes keeping her alive.
This harrowing story follows the highs and lows of the disease and being hospitalised, captured through her voice activated technology diary called `Bug' that enables her to fulfil her dream of one day becoming an author.
It provides a raw, real-time honesty to the story that would be impossible to capture in hindsight.
To order the book through Jessica's site, click on the link below:
This book is also now available at York Library
An album of original songs and poetry composed and performed by people with M.E. from all over the world, was released to mark and support ME Awareness Day, 12 May 2018.
It was hoped that by releasing this album, it will help those with ME to know that they are not alone, and for others to understand the nature of this illness and give what support they can.
Please consider downloading the album, or even a couple of tracks to help raise awareness of ME, and much needed funds for research into this illness that affects so many, but is understood by so few who may be in positions to help. Proceeds to ME Research and Education. All further information and questions, please direct via the website below: The album can be downloaded now from:
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD !
I had a very productive meeting with Cllr Aspden and Cllr Runciman of City of York Council where they have stated they will back efforts to raise awareness of ME, understanding that much more is needed to increase understanding of this debilitating disorder, in York and across the UK.
The motion put before Council with regard to support in raising ME Awareness in York was passed unanimously !
The City of York Council followed through on their promise by lighting up the city walls and Clifford's Tower in blue over ME Awareness Week.
Are you a member of a York based Sports or Fitness Club ? Looking for a local cause to run or do an activity for ? The York ME Community are looking to be 'adopted' by anyone willing to maybe run for us and help raise our profile. There are around 800 people of all ages in the York area who would be so very grateful for your help.
We had a brilliant day at York Explore Library raising ME Awareness. Lots of interest in what we're doing from local health groups, charities, the council and most heart warmingly, from those dealing with ME themselves who now know we're here for them.
If you'd like to hear more about ME, get in touch.
Time For Unrest: Why Patients With ME Are Demanding Justice.
If you want the full story on ME and will read just one article about it this year, please make it this one,
Are you on Twitter? Learn more about ME every Wednesday, 8 pm - 9 pm (UK) using #MEAwarenesshour
Mike Harley is a very special guy who's running a marathon in each EU country to raise awareness and funds for Invest in ME Research. Please visit his site to learn more.
To go to the Government's Disability Benefits Advice Guide, click on the link below:
FEATURED ARTICLE
By
Sally Duffin
Hello to all the members of York ME Community. I’m Sally, a Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist at ‘Nutrition in York’ and Bill has asked me to share some nutritional therapy approaches for managing ME.
Many nutritional therapists – myself included – are trained in the Functional Medicine approach to healthcare which means we are less concerned with the name of a condition (ME, CFS etc.) and more interested in the underlying cause and contributing factors of the condition. (more…)
