Edinburgh M.E. Self help Group

Self Management and Looking after Yourself

As with many conditions you will need to learn to manage your M.E. in the best way possible for you. This will involve learning and practising approaches like pacing to make best use of your energy. It is a good idea to keep a diary of symptoms and activities to help you see any patterns and pace what you are doing day by day. It is important not to attempt to ignore or “work through” symptoms, especially when you are first ill or are having a symptom flareup or relapse. Remember to get plenty of fresh air, as much sunshine as you can manage, and adequate good quality rest for the stage of illness you are at. Relaxation and meditation approaches can be very helpful. Keep a good diet going with plenty of vegetables and fruits: four or five small meals a day are better than one or two large meals. Drink plenty of water, and avoid or cut down on caffeine and alcohol. If you smoke, M.E. is another reason to stop.

There is a lot of information in the form of booklets and leaflets available from the national organisations, especially Action for M.E. and the M.E. Association; and you can get a lot of support from other EdMESH members. Self management courses can be very useful.

Self Management courses

The Thistle Foundation runs regular self management/lifestyle management courses for people with M.E. These are 10 week courses for small groups run by health professionals and people with M.E. You can refer yourself, or go through your GP or hospital specialist. Currently some courses are funded by NHS and some courses are funded by Lindsay and Gilmour the pharmacists. There is also an ongoing weekly M.E. group at the Thistle, which practises relaxation, meditation, and gentle stretches.

Contact: The Thistle Foundation, Niddrie Mains Road, Edinburgh EH16 4A
Tel: 0131 661 3366
Email: lifestyle@thistle.org.uk
Website: www.thistle.org.uk

Or contact Liz Blackadder on 0131 662 4988 (weekly group)

There are also 6 week courses for people with any condition run by Arthritis Care and the MS Society Scotland at various locations round the country. Contact the MS Society Scotland for details. The Pain Association also runs specific pain management courses for any condition.

Complementary Medicine

There are a significant number of complementary therapies available, and many people who have M.E. try different approaches to assist management of symptoms. Complementary medicine may be useful alongside other medical care. For example, Aromatherapy may be helpful with managing problems, such as sleep difficulties and muscle pain. However, there is very little research into complementary therapies, so it can be difficult to know whether an approach is worth trying. Make sure you thoroughly look into any therapy and beware of any therapist who tells you that their approach will cure you. Some complementary treatments are of dubious value even on the most generous of analysis and many are very expensive, so at least make sure that you seek an accredited practitioner in the treatment. Homeopathy has the advantage of being available, on a limited basis, within the NHS.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

The use of Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is controversial in terms of M.E. treatment. It is used to support and help people through many illnesses. It can assist adjustment to some of the consequences of being unwell. Its use does not imply that the cause of the illness is psychological.
It can help you to identify, understand and modify behaviours and beliefs which can impact on your illness. It can be particularly helpful for people who find it difficult to manage and pace their mental and physical activity.