Tag Archives: CFS

The Benefits of Corn- Invisible Illness Awareness Day 2

Posted in Main Meals, Snacks by

For those who don’t know this week is invisible illness awareness week (8-14th September) and to raise awareness I am going to post a blog a day whether that be in my new personal updates section or even a recipe.

I started off the week by answering invisible awareness week’s “30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know” (Link) but today I am going to do a bit of a u turn and talk about a great snack which is naturally GF but also something hassle free and nutritious , so that people suffering from an invisible illness hopefully would have no problem making.

This amazing snack simple nutritious is … Corn. Yes I know it might not be what you expected me to say. But on a day like today, where I have been to work for a couple of hours got home mid afternoon it is absolutely perfect. Continue reading →

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know – Invisible Illness Awarness Week (Day1)

Posted in CFS Tips by

Today marks the beginning of invisible illness awareness week (8-14th September) and to raise awareness I am going to post a blog a day whether that be in my new personal updates section or even a recipe.

To start the week off I am going to participate by sharing with you the “30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know” if you would like to participate or find more about invisible awareness week click here.

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know Continue reading →

My NHS experience with CFS – Part 6 (1-2-1 Fitness)

Posted in My NHS Journey by

After I had attended the foundation seminars held at Southmead which covered a variety of issues including: Activity Management, CBT & GET (Link), Rest & Relaxation (Link), Sleep and Stress Management (Link); I then attended a follow up with my CFS specialist, this was very much a session lead by me where I could ask for help and guidance with the issues I was really struggling with.

Before this session I had a good think about what it was I needed the most help with from her. The two areas I found I wanted her advise on the most were: Returning to work/ Phased return (Link) and the best way to increase my physical fitness/ exercise. Continue reading →

My NHS experience with CFS – Part 5 (1-2-1 Phased Return to Work)

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During my first appointment at the North Bristol ME/CFS clinic (based at Southmead Hospital) my OT explained that the way the clinic works was that once my diagnosis was confirmed which occurred during that appointment (Link), I would be invited to attend their CFS/ME Foundation Course. Following the completion of the course I would then have a second one to one with her.

The foundation course consisted of two 1.5 hour long seminars which covered very basically an array of management strategies:

  • Seminar One covered: Activity management, CBT, GET (Link)
  • Seminar Two- Pt 1- Rest and Relaxation (Link)
  • Seminar Two- Pt-2- Sleep and Stress Management (Link)

Once I had attended these seminars and digested their content, I would then attend a follow up with her, which would be lead by me, I could get specific support on what I felt I needed the most. Continue reading →

Social activities: Hell Yeahs, Compromises & Concequences (Cinderella Syndrome)

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Once I started to feel a bit better so was physically able to go out and socialise with friends easily (going for a coffee or round theirs for dinner etc), I started to take more notice of the slightly bigger social events, ranging from a friend’s birthday to a formal ball etc.

These events would defiantly rate a whooping 60-70 of my daily 100 credits, so would more than likely take me over my credit limit, and would also involve alcohol. (Talked about credit/pacing in previous post: Link)

Whilst these events would push me over, I still built them in to my weekly planners, as at least it enabled me predict when I was likely to crash, and I could really think ‘IS IT WORTH IT?’. As Toby says in several of his videos and I love this :

Think to yourself is this event a HELL YEAH? If yes go out do it live your life, if not learn to say that important word NO!

Continue reading →

My NHS experience with CFS – Part 4 (NHS CFS Foundation Course 2- Sleep and Stress Management)

Posted in My NHS Journey by

As part of the North Bristol Trusts program for CFS/ME they can send you on various courses, to begin I was sent on the foundation course, which consists of two 1 1/2 hour long sessions.

I wanted to document the whole process, as I really had no idea what to expect and I am aware that a lot of people do not have access to such services:

In the first session we talked about: Symptoms, CBT, GET, Activity Management (Link). The second session I have split into two posts, this being the second the first however was mainly on rest and relaxation (Link).

The main focus on this session however revolved around Sleep Management and then talked a little about Stress Management at the end.

Please click the link below if you wish to download the foundation course 2 hand out provided: Continue reading →

ME/CFS Index

Posted in CFS Index by

As my number of posts increases I thought it would be useful to create an index so it is easier to see older posts:

Personal Journey/Stories

Top Tips

My NHS experience with CFS

CFS/ME Research

My NHS experience with CFS – Part 3 (NHS CFS Foundation Course 2- Recap & Rest)

Posted in My NHS Journey by

So I have to admit I wasn’t quite as enthusiastic and with it at the second part of the NHS CFS Foundation course, as I had way over done it earlier in the week, we have all been there at some point.

Like parts 1 & 2 of my NHS experience with CFS, guiding from my experience with my GP and assessment (Link) and the first foundation seminar (Link), this post I will talk through what I got out of the second and final foundation seminar, through both what leader taught us and from comments from other service users, as well as providing you with the handouts that I received on the day. Continue reading →

Simplifying Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for CFS/ME

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I have had a lot of involvement in CFS/ME Facebook groups and forums, and there is a lot of differing views of what CBT is for CFS. This I think is due to a one size fits all approach of CBT being used by a lot of medical professions, so for instance using the same methods of CBT to help depression and CFS just isn’t the best way forward.  It really seems like what your told differs vastly on your postcode, and how much experience your doctor/ OT has with CFS or if their experience is in mental health.
Continue reading →

My NHS experience with CFS – Part 2 (NHS CFS Foundation Course 1)

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My NHS experience with CFS – Part 2 (NHS CFS Foundation Course 1)

As I mentioned in a previous posts (link)I was diagnosed with CFS and was seen by specialist clinic within about 9 months of symptoms first appearing. Which is really fast compared to other peoples experiences, I attribute this to an amazing GP.

So I really wanted to document my experience with the specialist NHS clinic, because before I got seen I had no idea what to expect, and I know so many people struggle to get any treatment for CFS.

I had heard very mixed reviews from different people, which I think might be due to what different people expect to get from the clinic – there is no miracle cure to CFS/ME so don’t expect that.

I went in with an open mind and was very glad. In this post I will talk through what I got out of the first foundation seminar, through both what leader taught us and from comments from other service users, as well as providing you with the handouts that I received on the day.
Continue reading →