Having been a severely affected sufferer myself, I know just how confusing and overwhelming it can be to find good quality books, useful aids and appliances, that can improve your quality of life as a ME/CFS or FMS sufferer. So now you can find many of these helpful items all in one place, at the new Sleepydust Shop…

More on NEW! The Sleepydust Shop - Helpful Items To Make Your Life Easier

You can now post your thoughts, reactions and views on the topics we talk about on this blog! 

Yep! The Sleepydust Newspaper is now totally interactive, and we want to hear your opinions!  All you need to do is…

… click on 'comment', which can be found below every article post, and then… well… comment away!

More on Why Not Have Your Say?

Hi all

A big apology to those of you who have had trouble visiting the site recently…

The blog has been undergoing maintenance these past few days. But now it's back! Bigger and better - and with a nice little facelift too.

All the best

Editor

It's always great to read feedback from Sleepydusters who have completed our online ME/CFS course (you can get a free 'ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Couse Taster' here…)

ME/CFS sufferer, Siobhan Copson, recently completed the course and has this to say about it:

"I found the course really clear, straight forward and brain fog friendly. This is partly because of the easy to read formatting and partly because the content is simply written and easy to understand. As you well know, those things are pretty key for M.E sufferers!…

More on What Others Are Saying About The Sleepydust M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Course…

The Free Sleepydust Online Video has finally been launched!

The video aims to help the friends and family of ME/CFS [including Myalgic Encephalomyelitis , Chronic Fatigue Syndrome , and Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome] sufferers understand the illness and what their loved ones are going through.

More on Launch! The Free Sleepydust ME/CFS Online Video Now Available!

A new review has been added to our reviews section:

"(…) On the free demo CD they basically tell you all about how their meditation technology works. They have testimonials, and for the last 6 minutes, they give you a 'sample' of their technology, without any talking over the top. They say that the sample is not quite as strong (a more 'diluted' version) of what you get if you actually buy the actual Holosync Awakening Prologue. Apparently Holosync is proprietary technology and…"

To read the full review of the Holosync Meditation Program Demo CD, click here…

And if you are interested in Holosync and would like to learn more about creating inner peace, abundance, happiness & success in your life, then you can also subscribe to Sleepydust's free 'Abundance' ezine above. Sign up here…

A Murky, Never-Ending Nightmare…

It's funny how certain memories stay with you. You can picture them almost as vividly as when they first occurred. Of course, that's not saying much considering it all seemed like a big, murky, never-ending nightmare at the time. But I can remember glimpses of my lonely reality back then…

I was living in student halls and I was trying to make it back from the bathroom to my bedroom (which was just a few steps away). I remember how difficult it was. How terrible I felt. I was shaking. I felt hot. My vision was blurred. I felt faint and so totally, totally drained of energy…

I remember putting my hand up to steady myself against the wall, as I slowly walked, step by tiny step, back to my room. What a feat it was. What a struggle. And such a simple thing, I remember thinking. Why? I probably then just flopped on the bed and slept again for what would be probably another 22 hours. I can't remember.

During that first period of my illness, I remember feeling so confused and frightened. And, well, down.

What was so wrong with me that I, a once vivacious, fun-loving 19 year old, couldn't even make it to the bathroom and back without a struggle? While everyone else in the student dorms were having the time of their lives, I was struggling to stay awake for an hour or two a day. I felt terrible. So drained. The flu feeling hadn't gone. And I felt so indescribably weak.

The ME/CFS kept its grip throughout my university years, but eased up enough so that on most days, I was able to venture out. Later, I was lucky enough to enjoy about a year or so where the ME/CFS went into remission, and I recovered about 90% of my health. But my days were numbered. The ME/CFS would return, and this time much more severely. This time I became housebound.

Winging It…

My ME/CFS journey has been long and varied since 1995. Unfortunately at first, when it came to coping with ME/CFS and trying to recover, I just winged it, a rather risky approach for managing an illness that seems to get worse with the slightest thing. It took Muggins here, quite a while to catch on that I just couldn't do most of the things I did pre-ME/CFS'. Not without repercussions anyway.

In a nutshell, I had no clue what I was doing!

I ended up yearning for some sort of 'ME/CFS guide' : something that would just tell me what to do, and perhaps more importantly, what not to do! Don't get me wrong - I knew there was no universal miracle cure' out there. But I had heard of many isolated ME/CFS recovery stories. Deep down, I really believed that recovering from ME/CFS simply WAS possible.

Investing Time, Energy & Hope…

In my many desperate attempts to recover, there were countless things I (unwittingly) tried that either made no difference at all, that made me feel 10 times worse, or that just threw me into an outright relapse!

How many hours have I spent searching for the latest cure? The hottest tip that made this person recover, or that person increase their energy levels? How much money have I spent on things that just didn't work? I daren't think about it.

And in the meantime, my health would, at best, stay on an even keel. An 'even keel', for me, meant operating at 30% of my previous levels of health and activity. And sometimes, despite all my efforts, research, and desperation to get better, I'd have a flare of symptoms and get even worse.

Does This Sound Familiar?

At the beginning of this year I was still housebound. Very rarely would I venture out. The last time I had gone out, I was in a wheelchair. And before that, I had to use a walking stick to walk just a few paces.

I couldn't wash my own hair. I couldn't see my friends because I felt too ill. I couldn't talk on the phone for long. I felt ill, pretty much every day. I never felt refreshed from sleep. Basically, I was in pretty bad shape.

I'm sharing this with you because you, as an ME/CFS sufferer, have no doubt experienced many of the problems and frustrations I have encountered in your own journey through this illness. If you're anything like I was, you're probably constantly on the look out for the latest therapy, treatment, prescription… anything to help make you feel better. Anything to get your life back.

Yet, like me, you may also have that all-too-familiar seed of doubt. Does it really work?

Getting Better…

Six months ago however, my persistent endeavours to recover from ME/CFS began to really pay off. I was starting to see really major, positive results in my health, changes like nothing I had experienced since my second, more severe relapse. And they were all based on some very simple concepts that I had firmly come to believe made a difference in my wellbeing. Adopted in isolation, these concepts did not seem to make much of a difference, recovery-wise. But when I adopted the concepts altogether, I started to recover, radically. I was getting better.

The result of what I have learned is now available for you to share, in the form of the new Sleepydust ME/CFS online course, titled, 'Working Towards Better Health: A Holistic Approach To ME/CFS, Using Your Body, Mind & Soul'.

After adopting the basic concepts and ideas that are set out in the course, I am now 70-80% recovered, and getting better and better, day by day. Even my quality of life has significantly improved. It's a long process that I'm still in the midst of. But one that I am overjoyed to see is working.

Introductory Discount To Celebrate Launch!

To celebrate it's launch and give you the opportunity to try it out for yourself, Sleepydust is currently offering the new ME/CFS online course, 'Working Towards Better Health: A Holistic Approach To ME/CFS, Using Your Body, Mind & Soul', at a special low introductory price.

To find out more about the course, visit:

http://www.sleepydust.net/recover-from-me-cfs.html

Wishing you the very best in health

Claire Editor of Sleepydust

http://www.sleepydust.net/recover-from-me-cfs.html

What Would YOU Ask Mickel Therapy's Founder?

We're planning to record an interview with the founder of Mickel Therapy, Dr David Mickel. For those of you who have no idea what Mickel Therapy is, it's a 'newish' therapy that has been making waves in the ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia communities. If you've already ordered the Sleepydust Online Course, don't worry, there's a whole lesson dedicated to explaining the basic concepts of Mickel Therapy.

Mickel Therapy claim that they can 'cure' ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia, and indeed, I have received so many positive recovery stories from sufferers, that I felt it would merit further investigation. But it's not without its controversy! And there seems to be lots of confusion surrounding it - what is it? How does it work?… So this is YOUR chance to ask the founder. Put forward your comments and questions and we'll pick the best questions and ask them for you on your behalf. The interview will be recorded and will be made available to everyone for free.

Send us your questions and comments for Dr Mickel, here (please make sure you state that your message is for the Dr Mickel interview):

http://www.sleepydust.net/ask.html

Claire Editor of Sleepydust

Hi all

We're in the process of changing hosting companies for sleepydust.info. So this means that you may be unable to access the Sleepydust Forum and/or Sleepydust Newspaper for a while during this period.

You will still be able to access the main site (sleepydust.net) and if you have any queries, you can contact us here…

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. We will be back shortly!

Claire Editor of Sleepydust

Would you like to submit a review to us about a therapy you've tried, or a book you've read? Both positive and negative reviews are welcome!

Or perhaps you've found a treatment or supplement that really works for you and would like to submit your recommendation to us?

Click here to find out more…

Claire Editor of Sleepydust

Sleepydust receives many requests from companies, therapists and authors who would like us to review their products and services. Some wish to send us samples for our visitors to review. Others ask if I would review their product on Sleepydust, as Editor.

You can now find out how you can go about requesting a review of your product/service on Sleepydust here…

All the best

Claire Editor of Sleepydust

Sleepydust receives many enquiries from companies, therapists and authors who wish to advertize their products and services. You can now find out how you can go about advertizing on Sleepydust here…

The new page explains how you can start advertizing on Sleepydust immediately (for a matter of pence), and provides a form through which you can contact us if you are looking for more 'high-profile' advertizing.

Click here to find out more…

All the best

Claire Editor of Sleepydust

Here is some information about a Kinesiology course that is being run in June, at Whittlebury Hall, near Towcester. Lesley Martin will be one of the tutors running the course. You may already have heard of Lesley as she has been writing articles for Sleepydust, and helping to answer questions about nutrition at the Sleepydust Forum for a while now.

"Classical Kinesiology Institute An exciting 2 day course on managing your own health. What could be more rewarding than being able to better manage your own health and that of your family? Kinesiology and complementary medicine has helped many to do just that. Learn first-hand about the power of kinesiology on this exciting new 2 day course. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn kinesiology techniques and dietary methods, normally only open to professionals, that can help you achieve these aims. You may have already experienced the enormous benefits of having treatments with a kinesiologist or you may have heard about it from a friend. Kinesiology is a natural healthcare system combining diagnostic muscle testing and body balancing techniques including some of the traditional concepts of Chinese medicine, diet and the use of herbs and vibrational essences - to name a few. It plays a vital role in solving health problems that are notoriously difficult to treat. This exciting and fun 2-day course is designed to give you a hands-on approach to kinesiology as well as an insight into what your pracititioner can do for you. As well as being enthralled and having the joy of meeting some great people, you will leave the course being able to carry out the folllowing techniques on your friends and family. (…) Book today, as places are limited, and learn: * Just what is my kinesiologist doing? Why does kinesiology work so well? * How to muscle test * Simple good sensitivity testing and practical tips on how to eat healthily * Some self help balancing techniques to use when you are under stress or need to concentrate particularly hard * Some nature-cure tips * How to discover if you are dehydrated or if you are eating enough protein * Some technqiues to help a stiff neck * Ask the experts your health questions And much more… Course details 24th & 25th June, 2006 (Saturday & Sunday) - National Kinesiology Awareness Week Held in Whittlebury Hall, near Towcester. Cost ?175 (GBP) (including a deposit of ?90) Includes a DVD, a course manual and magnet 10% discount if you bring a friend. Tel. 0116 266 9883 Email: info@classicalkinesiology.co.uk "

Please note that this course is completely unrelated to Sleepydust and that we are providing information about this course purely for your information only.

I'm planning on writing a few freebies on M.E. /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FMS). There are a few ideas, but I need to know which you'd be most interested in. So…

… here's another poll!

I'd be very grateful if you could vote!

If there's a real favorite, I may dedicate more time researching it and turn the favorite into a paid ebook, but for the main, I'd like to create freebies to get the word out about Sleepydust.

If you have any ideas of the type of information you'd like to see as ebook freebies, please do mention them in the 'any comments' box in the form linked below. (The freebies need to be information-type products that can be downloadable via the internet.)

Click here to vote for which ME/CFS & FMS freebie you'd prefer!

Thanks all!

Claire Editor of Sleepydust

Here's in an interesting site for young disabled people in the UK, called 'After 16 - what's new?':

"Choices and challenges for young disabled people This website is for: * Teenagers and young people in the UK who have an impairment or disability and are wondering what opportunities and services there should be when they leave school. * Parents, carers and professional workers will probably want to use it too!"

Click here to visit 'After 16 - what's new?'…

Thanks to Flora, who recommended the site!

Claire Editor of Sleepydust

I have just updated my diary! To read my thoughts about the free demo Holosync meditation CD, click here!

You can get a copy of the free CD here…

 And if you are interested in Holosync and would like to learn more about creating inner peace, abundance, happiness & success in your life, then you can also subscribe to Sleepydust's free 'Abundance' ezine above. Sign up here…

Claire
Sleepydust

I've just found out about a top notch meditation program, which are giving away free demo CDs (worth $29.95 USD) and reports. By using the latest in sound technology, the research institute's meditation program apparently helps you to create states of deep meditation, even more profound than a zen monk's. It apparently boosts intelligence and dramatically lowers stress. It also apparently heals unresolved emotional issues including anxiety and depression.

From ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ICD-CFS) and Fibromyalgia viewpoint, what is perhaps of most interest is that their meditation program is said to dramatically increase the production of your vital brain chemicals related to your longevity, well-being, and quality of life. Indeed, numerous studies have revealed just how profoundly meditation can affect your health. According to Bill Harris, in Mind Chatter, The National Institutes of Health reports that regular meditation reduces chronic pain, anxiety, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and stress hormone production. And a University of Wisconsin-Madison study discovered that meditation boosts brain function and the immune system.

So it's definitely worth looking into! Click here for free demo CD and report…

Happy meditating!

Keeping warm and having our creature comforts becomes even more important when we're chronically ill with illnesses such as M.E. / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia. But it seems that for those of us who are with British Gas, our bills may well increase by 25%! Thankfully, money saving expert, Martin Lewis, seems to say that it's easy to switch to a cheaper energy provider. Here's his latest news about it:

URGENT! 25% price rise predicted for British Gas. Now is the moment to act… Newspapers predict a 25% price rise (though I think it'll be roughly 15%, read m'blog). If that happens other companies will follow, so should you switch now? Those who've never switched before switch, switch, switch, you'll definitely save (or at least forestall an increase). For others this forewarning's useful; consider a capped tariff, but go quick as capped rates are likely to rise after the price increase is announced. Alternatively wait 6-8 weeks after BG's price rise then hopefully it'll be a level playing field. To find the right capped tariff, comparison service Energyhelpline pays ?12.50 cashback via special links, like this one* when you switch. Read full Energy Switching article (special mini-mutterings) Also remember the only certain way to cut your bill is reduce your energy usage.

I hope these tips & resources save you some money over the coming months! Claire Editor of Sleepydust

The telephone can be a lifeline when you have M.E. / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and/or Fibromyalgia. But are you paying too much for your calls?

Here are a few tips from money saving expert, Martin Lewis, who claims we can cut our average phone bill by 60% (!):

Cheapest UK Home Phones now with totally new free UK Callchecker! The UK Callchecker is a unique non-commercial tool which daily updates the cheapest instantly accessible provider for every type of UK call - mobiles, 0870s, landlines, personal numbers - meaning massive savings are possible. Read the updated and simplified: Cheapest UK Home Phones article or go straight to the UK Callchecker (special mini-mutterings) Also see: International CallChecker for the cheapest way to call any country