ME stands for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
It is a neuro-immune disease and often triggered by an infection or injury. It affects every system in your body - the neurological immune, endocrine and energy metabolism systems. It comes with many symptoms including:
- Severe fatigue that is not improved by rest
- Pain
- digestive issues
- cognitive dysfunction/brain fog
- sleep problems
- tender lymph nodes
- allergies
Symptoms can vary from patient to patient and different levels of severity. It can be very debilitating, and some people are housebound or even bedbound and need of care
NHS England state there are 250,000 people in the UK with ME/CFS, but this figure is an estimate, and it is a very old one. Action for ME believes this figure is significantly below the real figure and new research needs to be done
Contact your GP if you are struggling with ME/CFS or believe you may have the symptoms
Resource Links for Adults:
Local Support Groups - The ME Association
Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) - NHS
The ME Association - The ME Association
Resource Links for Young People:
Support for 18 and under | Action for ME
Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) - NHS
Resource Links for Parent & Caregivers:
Support for carers - Support for neurological conditions | The Brain Charity