What can you do if you have chronic fatigue?

What can you do if you have chronic fatigue?. At present there is no cure for CFS/ME, although early diagnosis and advice on managing the illness can help recovery.

The national charity, Action for ME encourages people to work towards recovery in order to get back to their normal lives.

The charity claims finding the best balance between rest and activity is essential. 'It is unrealistic to try to do what you did before your illness,' said spokesman Brian Dow. 'It is important that you allow yourself to be ill, taking time to rest and relax.'

'Different people find different ways of relaxing. What seems to help one person, another finds stressful. For one, total peace and quiet works best, but for another listening to music, or the radio can be restful. Try to experiment to discover which is most refreshing for you.

'Rest from mental activity and emotional stress is also very important, particularly in the early stages of the illness.

'In terms of where you sleep, bed is better saved for night-time so try, if you can, to find somewhere where you can stretch out and relax other than your bed. At the very least try to move your joints regularly because even this minimum exercise is better than nothing.'

Rest and pace yourself:

Rest in the early stages of the illness, but avoid complete bed rest unless absolutely necessary.

Cautiously experiment to determine the level of activity (physical and mental) you can manage without causing a relapse.

Keep within those limits until several days have passed, then if you're still feeling better gradually increase them.

Keep a diary of your symptoms to see how they fluctuate in relation to your activity levels. This should help you to work out how much you can do without 'payback'.

Do not be deterred by feelings of healthy tiredness (without nausea or prolonged pain), which after unaccustomed activity are normal and beneficial.

You should however stop if you experience feelings described by some as 'flu-like', or if prolonged pain reoccurs.

When you feel that these feelings are well past, start your activities again at a level you can cope with and gradually build up.

The symptoms in CFS/ME generally fluctuate so experts advise sufferers to take advantage of those days when they have more energy by doing some of the normal things they did before they were ill.

Brian Dow added: 'Do not be disappointed if it takes time. Overdoing it in a rush to get better may well set your recovery back - and remember that most people significantly improve over time.'

Other things you can do:

A good healthy diet is particularly important when you have CFS/ME. Many people say that they have found benefits in fresh, organic food.

Sufferers often develop intolerances to certain foods, such as dairy or wheat products (irritable bowel syndrome occasionally accompanies CFS/ME).

Alcohol intolerance is also common among sufferers, so it may be advisable to cut down or try cutting out your intake, particularly if you were previously a heavy drinker.

What medical advice is available?

Your GP will need to go through a process of elimination, ensuring that you do not have any other common illnesses, such as an under-active thyroid or fibromyalgia.

Since there are so many symptoms that are common to CFS/ME your GP should begin addressing these symptom by symptom.

Your GP may suggest a management programme to help your recovery.

GPs often provide low dose anti-depressants, such as amitriptyline to aid sleep.

Some people have also reported benefits from St John's Wort, which is a natural, herbal anti-depressant. Your GP will also be able to give you something for pain relief.

Specialist treatment for CFS/ME is extremely patchy across the UK. There are very few units which deal specifically with the condition and there are normally lengthy waiting times.

Complementary practitioners are often sympathetic and understanding and some sufferers claim their therapies have alleviated some of the symptoms. ( dailymail.co.uk )