I first heard about M.E. when my friend was diagnosed with it - and saw the deterioration in how much she was able to do.  I even did the 'Pyjama Day' with her a couple of years ago to help fundraise. Ironically, I've since been diagnosed with it, as has my Dad.  I'm lucky.  I'm still working full time - although some days are a real struggle. At its worst, I get home from work, eat and go straight to bed. I have to be careful about how much I do that may tire me, as well as what may hurt my arthritis.  There's a lot that I now can't do.... but there's still plenty that I can.  I'm lucky that I have a wonderful husband who picks up what I cannot, and lovely friends who are supportive and do their best to understand. 

I have one GP who agrees I show the signs of it, another who refuses to diagnose it on principle - "as 95% of people give up when given the diagnosis".  He and I compromise by me calling it Chronic Fatigue... but without calling it a Syndrome!  It is fatigue which is chronic.

My friend is still battling DWP on  a regular basis.  They still under-assess at her renewals - she's won every single appeal/Tribunal to date relating to both DLA and general benefits (whatever they're calling it now).  All of this is due to ignorance of how severe the condition actually can be.  This is why we need to raise money for research into M.E. and also to raise awareness in the medical/ DWP communities to make life less contentious for those people who are hit the hardest by it.

Please help.

Tracy