Beats Prozac :)

[lainey lou]

Shirl, I see several clients with ME, and Reflexology seems to work really well for them. Particularly one friend who just over a year ago found every movement of her body painful and couldn't stand up straight, she had reflex from me, weekly for about 5 months, massage from a mate of mine several times and developed the attitude that she was going to be well. Amazingly she is well now, she has full range of movement and is pain free and has lots of energy.
What I'm trying to say is the Drs paint such a bleak picture with ME and because of the chemical imbalances it causes it must be really hard to get in a positive mind set about things, my freind has amazed her Drs with her recovery and it just proves that it is possible. Doing something as positive as GYO can only be a good thing, fresh air exercise and good food and like Suzie says it really is better than prozac. I know I get a high every time I go down the lottie!

[HeyWayne]

I know I get a high every time I go down the lottie!

Told you to stay away from "those" plants, I know they're reported to have "medicinal" properties, but still...

Anyway on a serious note, I'm sorry I know nothing about ME but I do know pain unfortunately, and just how much it can get you down, so you have my sympathies shirl and Seahorse.

Being outside does make you feel great though doesn't it!? Mange tout, after yesterday my knees hurt and the heels of my hands are sore from all that metal bending and bashing I did yesterday.

Come on spring!!!

[shirlthegirl43]

Deffo with you there lainey lou. I wish I could afford to have regular massage - Madmax does what he can but with him working away 'tis tricky.

I am not crippled by pain or anything, I think I am fortunate that it was diagnosed early before I made it worse by trying to cope. The frustration of it is the worst thing for me. I used to be able to carry a bale of hay across the field to my horses, now I have to get mk1 son to push it in a wheelbarrow! There are other folks with ME who are much worse than me. It is such a tricky thing to describe to people coz everyone gets tired don't they?

[piskieinboots]

coz everyone gets tired don't they?

indeed they do shirl, but from what I've understood, the tired related with CFS/ME is all-consuming, there is no option to push through it.

The pal I mentioned above was an ex RAF Copper, 6' 3", rugby player, always strong and doing things, when this hit it hit hard.

We found it really hard to understand why he was always sleeping, getting up in the monring, eating breakfast, then having to sleep again. He isn't better at all, although there appears to be some slight improvement.

[shirlthegirl43]

indeed they do shirl, but from what I've understood, the tired related with CFS/ME is all-consuming, there is no option to push through it.

The pal I mentioned above was an ex RAF Copper, 6' 3", rugby player, always strong and doing things, when this hit it hit hard.

We found it really hard to understand why he was always sleeping, getting up in the monring, eating breakfast, then having to sleep again. He isn't better at all, although there appears to be some slight improvement.

I hope he finds a way to cope with it. I have spells where I can go to bed at 7pm (have to stay up to feed the kids) sleep through till 7 next morning (have to get the kids up for school/college) and could go back to bed but don't. Fortunately I haven't had that bad a spell for about a year now - I think having to do things for the boys helps with the motivation. You are right on the pushing through it thing - but trying to do a bit helps, even if it is a walk round the garden. Maybe coax your pal to try growing some spuds in buckets - not too strenuous but if he has the incentive to walk to check if they are sprouting or need water every day it might help him through it.

[lainey lou]

Told you to stay away from "those" plants, I know they're reported to have "medicinal" properties, but still...

Tee Hee Hee!

Shirl it might be worth checking with your local college, sometimes they do cheap reflex/ massage etc cause the students need to practise, you might even be able to pursued a student to take you on as a case study and thereby get some free treatments, benefit to you both!

BTW did you know, they now think ME may be caused by a stomach virus?

[piskieinboots]

BTW did you know, they now think ME may be caused by a stomach virus?

Blimey would that then make it better treatable (bad granma but you get my drift)

[lainey lou]

Blimey would that then make it better treatable (bad granma but you get my drift)

Not sure, but I suppose if "they" can establish a cause it's a massive breakthrough, for years it was an illness that was poo-pooed by a lot of doctors.

BTW Suzie, glad to hear your lotties coming on so well, good on ya girl!

[SarzWix]

Totally agree with you gals, gardening is good for what ails ya! I don't have CFS, but I do have HMS (which is possibly related) and have a seriously badly damaged back... I can't work as I only last about 3 months (even in a part-time job) before my health breaks down in some fashion (See my blog-post bout HMS) http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...-you-have.html
However, with the gardening, because I can regulate myself and rest a whole day if/when necessary (without getting fired!) I feel like I'm achieving something and contributing to the family finances by growing stuff we can eat. It's definately a morale boost, plus the exercise releases all those lovely dolphins in your head...

[Sirius]

Folks, I don't do nearly enough in the garden as I'd like to (since it's not my garden, it's just a patch of my Dad's garden that we stole, together with the greenhouse!). But you just can't beat the feeling of having done good, honest dirty work and knowing that you'll be rewarded at the end. Having read through this thread, I count my blessings and will make an effort not to flop on the sofa at the end of what is really quite an easy day, saying that I'm exhausted - I clearly don't know the meaning of the word! Blessings to you all, take a day at a time and most of all, enjoy whatever you do!

[wellie]

Sirius,
You truly took the words out of my mouth.

I did only three hours hard slog in someone's 'oh so beautiful' garden this morning, and I just about managed to get in a hot bath and out again this evening, without seriously injuring myself even further.... Ouch!
Serves me right for sitting on my fat bottom for 6 weeks after surgery at the end of last year and being so unfit.

Good on you Girls...
X

[SarzWix]

...Serves me right for sitting on my fat bottom for 6 weeks after surgery at the end of last year and being so unfit...

Maybe so, but more likely if you hadn't, you'd have done yourself an even worse mischief & been out of action for 6 months! Sometimes best to follow docs orders, spesh if they've been disconnecting bits of your innards..

Hope everything mended ok

[piskieinboots]

Hope everything mended ok

Hope so, her is cooking for us on Saturday

[wellie]

Mended MORE than okay thanks Girls - absolutely Top Banananana now!

Her is cooking right now actually piskie. You're not peeking are you sweetie?

[piskieinboots]

Mended MORE than okay thanks Girls - absolutely Top Banananana now!

Her is cooking right now actually piskie. You're not peeking are you sweetie?

I'm armed with Cornish cheeses