From J. Brownlow:- MY son has ME/CFS and I wonder whether many readers are aware that yesterday, May 12 was International ME Awareness Day. Many of your readers will not know what ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is. Many will have heard of it but will not know what it is and many will be suffering from it without being diagnosed.

A person with ME experiences many symptoms which may or may not be recognised by their doctor. A large number of sufferers have a long history of bad medical experience, either not being believed by their GP or being referred to many Consultants who can not find anything to diagnose either inferring or saying that their symptoms are psychosomatic.

Symptoms include a 'flu-like malaise with continuous sinusitis, backache, muscle pain and fatigue (like having just climbed a very long steep hill), induced by even mild exercise or mental effort.

Various symptoms indicating a disturbance in brain function, e.g., memory, concentration, sensitivity to prescriptive medication, to light, noise, taste, touch and smell. Of all which can be very distressing not only to the sufferer but also to everyone around them. Sometimes there is depression, mood swings and bowel disturbance.

These symptoms tend to fluctuate from hour to hour and day to day and are often made worse by physical and mental overactivity or stress from any source.

The condition is debilitating, causing considerable cost on shattered lives, lost careers, lost independence both financial and personal, and the destruction of relationships through lack of understanding. Not to mention the cost to the country in benefits, medical consultations, tests and treatments which may or not be effective.

Further, most people do not realise that ME/CFS affects at least 150,000 adults and children in the UK alone.

Please consider reporting this event to help educate others about the distressing illness that often ruins lives.

I am sure the ME Association would be happy to help. They can be contacted at 4 Corrington Road, Stanford Le Hope, Essex, SS17 0AH or telephone 01375-642466.

Downham Drive,

Heswall

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