When the ‘doctor’s round’ is fatigued

I have friends struggling with ME, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. Doctors often feel overwhelmed, like the sufferer, by the often unexplained symptom picture. Indeed, the NHS is today is struggling with a heavy workload and patients are finding the surge in the symptoms of fatigue overwhelming; not surprisingly, so does the doctor.

Symptoms can exhibit as predominantly muscle pain but also crippling mental and physical fatigue, chest pains, low-grade fever, swollen lymph nodes, insomnia (see blog on sleep hygiene), abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome and depression.

Women are particularly vulnerable, yet I have seen great resilience shown by them in the need to not only take care of themselves but everyone else around them: It’s a characteristic determination that says, I’m greater than this that life has ricocheted my way. I am not defined by this, nor any other illness.

For those who have tried every treatment and now want to take control of their wellbeing, here are my heartfelt offerings for their journey.

Look to an anti-inflammatory diet:

A plant-based, wholefood diet can have a significant positive effect on inflammation (low lying inflammation can fuel fatigue). Include a variety of liver detoxifying vegetables and fruits at every meal, and an adequate quota of good quality protein. Incorporate all the colours of the rainbow which can help not only with bringing down inflammation but also create a healthy and diverse microbiome needed for good health.

The Chrysallis Effect

The Chrysallis Effect may be an option for some using Elaine Wilkins cutting-edge online recovery programme. Embraced now by the NHS, and set to be made available by them after the pilot programmes are complete, the roadmap has been successful over the past 10 years using the six-phase recovery programme.

The eight essential freedom wheels in the six phases allow patients to address their nutritional health, thyroid and adrenals, emotional health, relationships, environment, life purpose, movement and lifestyle pace; all the while users will work with a dynamic community.

Homeopathy and acupuncture I’ve seen that small lifestyle changes can ease the burden of ME, CFS and fibromyalgia in a profound way. The nano changes implemented may seem insignificant, but are far-reaching. A steady-as-she-goes approach, so as not to shock the body is essential to not prompt a healing crisis. We now know that stress in any form can exacerbate the problem.

I have seen homeopathy make great strides in symptom relief under the guidance of a qualified practitioner who can prescribe your correct constitutional remedy.

Herbs and vitamins that help Herbs are of particular note to relieve pain and increase energy, taken only on the advice of a medical herbalist qualified to prescribe herbs and who will look for interactions with any allopathic medicines taken by you.

Mindful Breathworks In a a demanding world I’ve found it a joy - never a decadence - to spend enjoyable time looking within. And on top of the ability to put the brakes on life for a short time, I have also gained insight from practising morning mindfulness meditation daily for between 20 to 60 minutes (some have found it beneficial as a wind down in the evening before bedtime).

Breathworks, a mindfulness based meditation method co-founded by Vidyamala Burch, is effective in not only in relieving stress and pain but also in providing an oasis away from the day's stresses and to calm anxiety.

Even though mindfulness finds its roots in the Buddhist philosophy of the contemplation of each moment without ruminating on thoughts, it is not based on any particular religion or spiritual philosophy; apart from being a tool helping develop resilient, self-aware and emotionally intelligent individuals.

The method focuses on breathing and gently letting go of your thoughts by imagining they are clouds gently drifting across a landscape.

Transcendental Meditation is another meditation practise that does not focus on intrusive thoughts but on a uniques mantra given to you by your teacher. Gently reciting the mantra evokes feelings of bliss and peace.

There is no right or wrong way to meditate in my opinion. As with flexing a muscle, it's important to view the mind as a muscle too, so a ritual daily is a good way to begin - right or wrong. it matters not, Just try it!

Happy breathing!

Seema