Well it's come to that time of year folks…
The cold winter days are looming ahead, and those bugs are coming out to play.
The flu vaccination (flu shot / flu jab) is on many ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia sufferers' minds at the moment. Should you … or shouldn't you get one?
Categories: All ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Fibromyalgia News, Nutrition And Supplements, Sleepydust Articles, Sleepydust News
The depression poems section has been updated! You can check the depression poem pages out here:
Claire Editor of Sleepydust
Categories: Sleepydust Articles
The depression help page has been updated. On the updated page you will find details about the following helpful (UK-based) resources:
General Depression Help Links
Depression & Emotional Help Support Groups
Self-Harm Groups
Stress & Trauma Groups
Depression Self-Harm Help For Young People & Children
Click here: Help For Depression Sufferers
I hope you find this updated page useful.
Claire Editor of Sleepydust
If you suffer from depression, then the St Johns Wart herbal remedy (correct spelling St Johns Wort) may be helpful for easing your depression symptoms. The following page has been updated:
St Johns Wart :: Easing Your Depression The Natural Way
I hope you find it useful!
Claire Editor of Sleepydust
Depression can be a symptom of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). It can sometimes even be the cause. [More…]
Some ME/CFS sufferers are lucky enough to never suffer from depression, but many unfortunately do at some point in their illness.
The page about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Depression has been updated. You can check it out here…
Facts about depression & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome…
I hope you find this page interesting!
Claire Editor of Sleepydust
The following article titled 'Alcohol Consumption : How Badly Can It Affect ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Sufferers?' has been updated. It is available in the Free Articles section in two parts:
Alcohol Consumption : How Badly Can It Affect ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Sufferers? Part 1
Alcohol Consumption : How Badly Can It Affect ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Sufferers? Part 2
Please feel free to republish the article for your support group, newsletter, or web site. Republication of this article is permitted providing that you follow the publication guidelines (which can be found directly below each article).
All the best
Claire Editor of sleepydust.net
The following article titled 'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Depression Are Not The Same Thing!' has been updated. It is available in the Free Articles section in two parts:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Depression Are Not The Same Thing! Part 1
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Depression Are Not The Same Thing! Part 2
Please feel free to republish the article for your support group, newsletter, or web site. Republication of this article is permitted providing that you follow the publication guidelines (which can be found directly below each article).
All the best
Claire Editor of sleepydust.net
11 Tips For Traveling With Me / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia - Part III
Copyright, Claire Williams, 2003-2005. All Rights Reserved.
In part I and II of this article we covered my first 8 tips for traveling long distances with ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia. In the final part of this 3 part series, we explore some more tips for voyaging when you suffer from ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia.
9) Sensory overload
When you suffer from ME/CFS, visual and aural stimuli can be too overwhelming for your brain to process adequately. This is especially true when you're traveling…
… the noise of the train, bus or plane, the chatting people, the fast moving countryside outside, the throng of other travelers…
All of this can play havoc with your brain and can end up making you feel even more exhausted, and your brain even more foggy!
There's not much you can do about this. But say you're on a train for example - if the fast moving countryside is making you feel dizzy, then try to avoid looking out the window. Close your eyes if you have to, or wear a sleep mask. If you find that you're getting dizzy and tired when you're in a busy corridor full of commuters in the subway for example, stop and face the wall for a few seconds to regroup and regain your clarity and balance.
10) Wear some magnetic insoles
I had made it a point to see my Nutritionist/ Kinesiologist before I left for my trip abroad. She tested me with all the supplements I took daily, and found that the 'Pure Synergy' superfood powder really raised my vital force (see point 11 below).
But perhaps even more astounding was the magnetic insoles she gave me - they raised my vital force so much that at first, it literally felt like I was standing on a power pod! I could even feel a subtle tingling sensation in my legs!
I wore my magnetic insoles on the trip and I have to say that I did feel more energized! It's a very subtle feeling and after an hour or so of using them the tingling went away. You may or may not have the same sensations when you first try them - depending on how severe your ME/CFS is and how susceptible you are to external forces. But they're well worth a try. I now make it a point to wear my magnetic insoles whenever I have to venture outside and now that I know how much they help me, I most certainly wouldn't be without them.
Please see the link below for my full review about wearing magnetic insoles as a severely affected sufferer.
11) Perhaps most importantly, pack some nourishing food and supplements specifically for your voyage.
It's important to eat small amounts regularly especially when you travel. It's not a good idea to eat sugary foods or anything containing caffeine (including coffee, tea, sweets or chocolate) because although that may pep you up for the first few minutes, they are likely to make you feel a lot worse in the long term.
I took a few of Dr Gillian McKeith's 'Living Food Energy Bars' with me - I always keep a spare one in my handbag for emergencies anyway. Nuts are also a great idea when you're traveling (if you're not allergic to them that is).
I also took some of that amazing 'Pure Synergy' superfood powder (see link below), and mixed it in with some cooled herbal tea in a small bottle. No sugar. No caffeine.
It was my energy pep-up drink - and I swigged it all the way back on my voyage. It did the trick.
To read my in-depth review of the Pure Synergy superfood click here!
And you can check out my full review of wearing magnetic insoles here!
So there you go - eleven things that will help to make any long trip less stressful and exhausting. Bon voyage!
Copyright, Claire Williams, 2003-2005. All Rights Reserved.
11 Tips For Traveling With ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia - Part II
Copyright, Claire Williams, 2003-2005. All Rights Reserved.
In part I of this article we covered my first 3 tips for traveling long distances with ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia. In part II of this 3 part series, we explore some more tips for voyaging when you suffer from these illnesses.
These tips are all based on my personal experiences with traveling long distances as a severe sufferer of Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). I hope you will find them useful!
Let's take a look at my fourth tip…
4) Don't rush
Pack slowly. Don't leave it until the last minute! I had an open suitcase in my bedroom in which I put things as I thought of them. I also made a check list for the morning of the trip, so that I didn't forget the things that I needed to pack after using them that morning (like toothbrush, toothpaste, tablets etc).
5) Pack light!
If you're going on a short trip, then maybe you can get away with not packing any luggage at all?
—– SIDE NOTE —– If you're traveling to a different time zone, consider taking some ear plugs and a light-blocking sleep mask with you, just in case you need to sleep during the day. —– SIDE NOTE —–
6) Don't forget to pack your medicines, vitamins, and supplements!
Don't make the mistake of not packing enough. Count out how many tablets you'll need just to make sure.
7) Warn the people you're going to be staying with about your needs.
This may be your family, friends or the hotel manager. Let them know about your sleeping habits and your dietary needs. Is there anything you can't eat or drink? Caffeine or dairy, for example? Should they get some special food or drink in like say, soya milk?
Bring a book on ME/CFS with you just in case the people you stay with are interested in your condition.
If you have ME/CFS then I really recommend Lynn Michell's book 'Shattered', because it really explains what it's like to live with the condition. AND it packs a punch - just in case you face any skepticism while you're there! No need to start explaining yourself - just hand them the book. 
Click here to read a complete book review about Lynn Michell's book, 'Shatttered'…
And for more book reviews on ME/CFS and FM-related books, click here!
This article will be continued in Part III…
Copyright, Claire Williams, 2003-2005. All Rights Reserved.
Categories: All ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Fibromyalgia News, Book Reviews, Sleepydust Articles
Copyright, Claire Williams, 2003-2005. All Rights Reserved.
Traveling long distances with ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia - most of us avoid it at all costs! It's just too much for our bodies to handle!
I had the very same opinion because I was (and still am) largely housebound due to Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (also known as ME/CFS). But as a result, I had forfeited seeing my beloved family (who live abroad) for four long years. So recently, I decided to 'bite the bullet' and go. Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome or not.
I had a lovely time there, but the voyage there and back raised quite a few issues for me as a sufferer of Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome.
When it comes to ME/CFS no one sufferer has the same experience as the next. For a start, you may suffer from this condition less or more severely than I do. You probably also experience a different mix of symptoms. But there are a few things you can bear in mind if you do plan on making a long trip:
1) Rest adequately beforehand
This might mean not exerting yourself mentally or physically for a number of days or even weeks beforehand - easier said than done, I know. But bear in mind that resting is a BIG priority PRE-trip.
2) Plan your trip
Leave LOTS of time in-between train, bus or plane times so that you don't have to rush. Over-estimate the amount of time it will take you. That way, if you get there early you can just sit and rest instead of rushing and stressing, which will only make you feel more weak and ill.
3) Get help
If you're making a long trip then it's advisable that you ask someone (like a relative or friend) to accompany you there and back. Ideally this would be someone who understands your condition and how it affects you. If you have trouble walking (or if this wears you out too much usually) then consider asking someone from the train or plane company to meet you with a wheelchair. Most large commercial companies seem to offer this service, but you usually have to tell them in advance.
You might also consider using a walking stick.
Anything to help you get there in one piece, right?
Click here to read book reviews on ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia -related books…
This article will be continued in Part II…
Copyright, Claire Williams, 2003-2005. All Rights Reserved.
