Ronnie's CFS Page with info on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

    1. Ring the ME/CFS society in your state. Join and subscribe to their magazine.

    2. Get a list of doctors, who specialise in CFS and choose one, do not continue to go to doctor who does not know about CFS. You may need to visit a few doctors before you choose one. I found this really helpful, for my husband, who had trouble realising how sick I actually was.


    3. Make contact wtih other people who have CFS. It helps to know you are not alone. You can do this by internet, telephone, or group meetings. ME/CFS Vic. has a telelink service, where 8 people can chat. It helps to brainstorm with people, who are going through the same problems.


    4. Read as many books on CFS that you can. Purchase a book on medications, so you know more about them.


    5. Accept that you are sick and need to change your life in order to manage or progress in your health. Don't live in denial. It may take others a while to accept your illness though

    6. Make a list of things that cause you to relapse, (driving, Vacuming, lifting etc.) and try to avoid these things, for some time. Make other arrangements, eg. children go to school on bus, or pay someone to pick up younger children, until you improve.

    7. Stop pushing yourself! If you are constantly doing too much, STOP!
      Balance rest with activity. It took me 16months to get the hang of this
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    8. Practise a pacing program. find a plan that suits you. At present I am spending 11-2pm resting, I spend 2 hours where I do not use my muscles, daily, and 1 hour of where I do things for pleasure, like make a phone call, or watch a video. I go to bed at 7.30pm and watch t.v. Once a week I stay up late or go out. This is a lot more than I could do, and I hope to increase activity over time.

    9. Eat properly and drink 2 litres of water a day
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    10. Express yourself, by writing talking to the doctor, talk to someone who has CFS. If you have no-one to confide in, speak to your doctor, or find a counsellor. (contact the ME/CFS society)
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    11. Prayer and meditation, come in many forms. I pray, praising God, for who he is. I confess my sins. I then thank him for all the good things in my life, then I ask for what I need (healing) for myself and others. The bible brings comfort to the sick, cut out bible verses and stick them on mirrors and doors. Ask someone to pray for you
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    12. Rest and Relax, this is not talking on the telphone. You can be still, with all muscles relaxed, looking at the sky, trees, ocean, birds. Such beauty t be seen, even in winter
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    13. I am unable to read very much, look for simple reading material, with large print. Gardening magazines are enjoyable. Listen to talk back radio, music, hire video's.

    14. Keep a diary, and be thankful for any progress, Learn from your mistaakes.

    15. If you are not sleeping well at night, do not sleep during the day.If you are sleeping well at night and need more during the day, do it. However, try to keep a normal daylight - night time plan.

    16. Keep warm, but not hot.

    17. For exercise, try sitting on your bed, bouncing, or floating in a cool pool. If you cannot manage this then excercise is not for you at present
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    18. Forgive people the stupid things they say to you. Forgive those that do not understand
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    19. Smile and enjoy life, even though you are not well. You can be happy even thought you have CFS
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    20. Make a list of things that you want to do, a wish list, for when you are well. If you don't get well, find other ways of doing them, eg. a wheelchair to go to the zoo

    21. Think of someone else, send them a card or letter, when you can do so.

    22. Get into comedy, video's, tapes, c.d.'s, t.v., people and have a laugh.

    23. Take control of your life, re-organise it, apply for disabled parking, contact the council to see how they can help you, write to your local federal member, and suggest they fund research into CFS.

    24. Bribe your kids to help you, and if they don;t, pay other kids to help you. Everyone needs a gofer, to go for things.
    25. Get an answering machine.

    26. Don't look at others and what they can or can't do.

    27. If you are depressed, seek help immediately.

    28. With medication, take small amounts and go slow.

    29. Stop feeling guilty, this is a wasted emotion.

    30. Recognise your limits, and live within your boundaries, you will feel much better, if you do. Stretch the boundaries now and then, a little at a time.

    31. You can shop on-line, or order shopping over the 'phone. My husband shops for the heavy things, and I shop for the little things. This is my excercise.

    32. Use strip shopping centres, where you can park close to where you are going, for banking, posting, groceries, and clothes. (Heathmont and Studfield shops are great in Vic.)

    33. Buy a shopping jeep, they will become fashionable again.

    34. When your body is screamin, I can't do this anymore, listen! Stop, and don't do it. Someone else just may do what you leave undone.

    35. Leave the food on the bench, with a note on how to cook it. they wont starve.(not for young children)

    36. Use a clothes horse, not the clothesline. or if visitors come ask them to hang the washing out.

    37. If your family are ignoring your pleas for help, write them a letter, or shout at them, until you are heard. Ask your doctor to help, by speaking to them.

    38. Keep flowers around you.

    39. Ask nicely when you want something done, and remember to say thank you. People are not mind readers.

    40. Don't be too proud to ask for help. Pride is a sin!

    41. Carry a camping stool with you, over your shoulder. It is lighter than a handbag, and you can sit down whenever you need to. The low stool actually increases blood flow to the brain.

    42. Don't worry about what others think

    43. Avoid people who upset you and people who want more of you than you can give

    44. If people tell you they have CFS and you don't think they have, send them to your doctor.

    45. Avoid too much physical activity, even holidays cause relapses.CATCHING BIG FISH can also cause relapses.........LOL

    46. Avoid virus' and chemicals etc.

    47. When you are driving, rest your arms on your thighs at at the lights.

    48. Send letters or articles form the internet to your friends, educate them.

    49. Give your body every chance to recover.

    50. Aim to improve your health.

    51. You cannot always rely on others.( contridiction!!! ) so work around it

    52. If standing in a que, and feeling faint raise your foot on a bar or something

    53. Have 3 days off every now and again, you'll be surprised at how much you will improve

    54. Make a homepage. Learn computer skills. Everyone needs a sense of achievement, it may be as simple as cleaning out the fridge.

      I should listen to my own advice.

    55. Have a list of easy meals incase you can't remember them.

    56. Beware: your friendship circle may change, and you may become more compassionate, or you may become more selfish, all because you have cfs.

    57. Sit outside and have a cuppa and watch the birds in the birdbath, or the bees. It is better than watching TV.

    58. Learn to say NO and stick to it

    59. Avoid stress, physical and mental.

      I should listen to my own advice...........




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