Forget M.E. Not

International M.E./CFS & FM Awareness Day - May 12th 2010

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Lots of people throughout the world suffer to varying degrees a debilitating illness know most commonly as either CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) or ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) but also Post-Viral-Fatigue-Syndrome and similar things. Often it is lumped together with the different illness, Fibromyalgia (sometimes refered to as "FM").

Primarily this piece and this writing is in regards to what is most commonly known as CFS (or ME in Britain). Many people, including myself, suffer this. Personally, i've had this for 10 years now with no end in sight.

Whatever the name it is a so called "invisible" illness, as it inflicts no external "signs" and has poorly understood internal causes. Dont be mistaken into thinking that this means it's sufferers have no problems. We suffer immense and constant fatigue and a whole host of other problems that differ from person to person. These problems often heavily restrict people's abilities to live their lives and leave some as far as stuck in the house, or even in bed. To make matters worse the condition often lasts for many, many years.

Despite the life-ruining and long known existance of the problem very little proper unbiased medical research is done into the condition. Often it's sufferers are ignored and humiliated by their supposed friends, even families, but worst of all by many doctors.

Most of us dont really care what the illness is called, what the cause is, or even what the treatments are, so long as they work. What really upsets us the most is the lack of any real progress into even a basic understanding of the condition, let alone a cure.

Given this we're often left feeling hopeless, combined with the pathetic nature of care offered by many doctors and health practices we really need our friends and families to understand. Unfortunately at this key time people are often let down by the very people they need.

Please use this day to spend just a few moments thinking about what it might be like, about someone you know who has such a condition, to learn a little more, to understand a little better. With this we can begin to make a positive difference.


If you know someone who suffers this condition please do not judge them based on a website or other preconceived ideas. Ask them. Understand them.


Be aware that CFS can be a very 'political' issue and many people have very strong views on certain aspects of it for various reasons.
There are very few websites with a neutral opinion, most are either in support or against some or even all aspects of the condition but worse there are badly informed as well as delibrate scam sites out there.
While inperfect i recommend the best place to begin to be Wikipedia as this does at least attempt to be neutral and give an overall view. You can read Wikipedia's page here [link]


Thank you to anyone who reads this and i hope you'll consider reading, learning and understanding more about this devastating illness.