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Constant agony of an ME sufferer

Thursday, 18 February 2010

Thank you for the article highlighting ME (February 9). I am now in my fourth year of suffering from the illness.

Like Lynn Gilderdale, my ME was brought on by glandular fever and severe tonsillitis as a child.

I am in constant pain and suffer from flu-like symptoms, severe fatigue and nausea.

My husband also has MS and before I became ill I was his carer. Now we try to help each other as best we can.

My husband gets much more help with his MS and people don't doubt his disability although most people treat me with scepticism.

I have had to fight for financial support since I became ill and recently the DLA refused to renew my care allowance although my symptoms have not improved and I feel I have actually deteriorated. Since my ME diagnosis I have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, depression, allergies and IBS.

I have written to Michael McGimpsey, the Health Minister, to ask that more help be given to ME sufferers in Northern Ireland and wait hopefully for him to act.

I am only 36-years-old and I feel my life is over.

GILLIAN WRIGHT

Bangor

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I have had the article you published on Feb 9th regarding ME shown to me by a friend. I have had this illness now for neary 15 years. I've forgotten what it is like to feel 'normal', how I wish I could get that back again! A day without pain would be nice, to be able to do more than struggle through daily tasks would be great. To have the government sit up and do something for to help the 8,000 + suffferers in Northern Ireland would be greatly appreciated.

Posted by Hazel | 26.02.10, 17:34 GMT

ME is a serious and complex physiological illness. Much more government funding is needed for medical research for ME and for support to those who are so ravaged with this devastating illness.

Posted by F. | 18.02.10, 17:15 GMT

ME is a serious and complex physiological illness. Much more government funding is needed for medical research for ME and for support to those who are so ravaged with this devastating illness.

Posted by F. | 18.02.10, 16:58 GMT