HOW IS C.F.S / M.E. MANAGED AND TREATED???

Bearing in mind there is no ~magic pill~ to date there are many different approaches available.... to help you take at back at least some control of your situation....

To include...

This is... well to be honest... pretty much like pacing... although this aims.. to gradually increase the strength and fitness of a person... obviously aimed at the our.. own goals and individual circumstances... the object of this exercise is... to increase the individuals... tolerance of activity.. and once a higher level is reached... the body is then challenged to then meet a higher level of activity... this is done on a gradual basis... and yes... there are setbacks.... and relapses... but adjustments to combat these setbacks can be made if necessary... for graded exercise to be effective... you must seek help from a someone.. who is trained... and has knowledge.. of C.F.S/M.E... if this programme is misapplied... then it my prove detrimental to a persons well being.... therefore.. cause more harm than good....

Learning to find the balance between activity and rest... is often referred to as pacing... but we find that some days tend to be better than others... whereas... in the situation that we have occurred.. an increased level in energy... we tend to do to much on that particular day... but this always leads to a setback the following day... or the day after... we then tend to remain... in a vicious circle.... managing our energy... through planned periods.. of activity and rest... will mean that we will get the chance to do.. activities.. that we want to do...

Although.. activity isn't all about physical tasks... as mental tasks... as in talking to friends... reading.. watching TV.. etc... for many of us... these tasks alone... prove to be an element... in itself... and for many.. of us prove to be the biggest drain on our energy... alone... so firstly.. a baseline has to be established... we then have to decipher... a comfortable level of activity.. this maybe at a low level... but whatever level you then choose as your baseline... it should be manageable...

To help us try to establish a pattern, between our, good and not so good days... it is advisable to try and keep an activity diary.... what you do on a daily basis... and how you felt afterwards.... rest and relaxation... should also be an important aspect to our daily routine... and any periods.. of rest.. etc... and for how long... should also be documented.... although... sometimes... this can be a difficult factor... to include in a busy lifestyle... gentle music... and relaxation tapes can be helpful... Try to priorities.. your activities... if it can be left... leave it!!! the activities... should include... what I have to do.... and what I want to do... never concentrate... on the things that have to be done... as to be honest.. this then leaves you no energy... for the fun part of life.... and this can then become.. so overwhelming... that you end up in a rut!!!! Cognitive Behavioral Therapy... (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy... is aimed to transfer negative thoughts... into a more positive outlook... e.g...

CBT.. is used to support individuals.. through a variety of chronic/long term illness... it aims to help us understand and identify any issues... such as having a tendency to over do things.. and a reluctance to say "no".. it's particularly helpful for those of us who find it difficult to pace our physical/mental activity... it also help us to find coping mechanisms... associated with anxiety, frustration, panic and depression... it aims to make us feel that we are control of our illness... instead of the illness controlling us!!!

(CBT) can also help with practical issues.. such as...

OTHER APPROACHES...

The effort required for someone who suffers from (C.F.S) to buy / prepare / cook nutritious meals... makes it difficult to maintain a healthy diet.... but eating a well balanced and healthy meal... is particularly important... during your period of illness... and will provide you with the energy and nourishment required to achieve a better level of health.... but this is not always achievable... due to the loss of appetite... food intolerance... and the inability... due to ill health... to cook for ones self... Although.. it's advisable.. to try to obtain all your vitamins and minerals.. through your diet... due to the prementioned factors... a supplement.. is advisable...

Although (C.F.S) sufferers.. can find complimentary approaches... extremely useful... currently.. there is little research on this... particularly... within the effects... of (C.F.S).. Yes... the complimentary approach... might entail a feeling of well being... but the impact of the this also depends.. on the therapist... as well as the therapy...

Therapies to include...

To date.. there are so many different forms of complimentary therapy.... but if you choose to go down this line... be careful!! try one at a time.... and bearing in mind... there is still no such ~magic pill~ for the treatment of (C.F.S)

SO PLEASE AVOID THE THERAPIST'S WHO CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE FOUND IT!!!!!!