What are the most common problems ME sufferers face? Tips?

[craigmorris]

Having been ill for over 3 years I've now met a number of sufferers and have been struck by how similar the problems we've been struggling with have been. Do you have a clear sense of the main problems sufferers face and the one's they're able to alleviate and the ones that can't currently be improved?

I've always assumed extreme fatigue is central but have also noted the following in fellow sufferers:

stomach problems,
brain fog - problems remembering nouns and forming sentences when tired or stressed,
risk of depression if no specialist help is available,
greater sensitivity to light and sound,
tinnitus,
back pain (due to being bed bound - difficulty of moving)
difficulty getting close family members to understand the severity of their condition never mind colleagues if they're well enough to work.

[Dr Charles Shepherd]

Craig

I would say that the most characteristic FEATURES of ME/CFS are:

Acute onset - often following a viral infection

A collection of symptoms that may fluctuate on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis

Exacerbation of symptoms following relatively minor physical or mental activity

KEY SYMPTOMS

Exercise induced muscle fatigue

Pain in muscles, joints, nerves

Cognitive dysfunction/brain fog

Other neurological symptoms: problems with balance, temperature control etc

Unrefreshing and/or disturbed sleep

Orthostatic intolerance

On-going flu like feelings - malaise, sore throats, glands etc

Alcohol intolerance

Sensitivity to light and/or noise

These, along with other symptoms that may be found in ME/CFS, are described in more detail in the MEA purple booklet

MEA website and pdf literature form: http://www.meassociation.org.uk