A view on what to include and what not to include in the diet of people with ME/CFS in order to achieve balanced nutrition and not only  weight loss.

Endometriosis is a very common distressing disease affecting tens of thousands of girls and women in New Zealand. This information sheet will help you understand the condition, learn about treatment options and best practice care.

Sleep

How do sleep patterns change in people with ME/CFS? Guidance on what type of sleep disturbances commonly occur  and how they can be treated.

Stress if not brought under control can seriously damage your health. Read about  the mechanisms involved and the coping strategies.

Finding a way through the Work and Income New Zealand requirements can be difficult.

Pregnancy

What are the effects of pregnancy and childbirth on ME/CFS?    Is there any specific risk to the baby? How do you manage after the baby is born?

Information and advice about leaving work or cutting back on working hours, discussing your illness with your employer, keeping in touch with people at work while off sick, and knowing when to consider a possible return to work.

There is no magic diet; the aim of everyone should be Good Nutrition. Read the good guidelines on what to include and what not to include in the diet of people with ME/CFS in order to achieve balanced nutrition.

Supplements

Is there evidence that people with ME/CFS suffer from vitamin deficiency? Are supplements of any value to people with ME/CFS or can taking supplements including vitamins harm your health?

Looks at the pros and cons of the most popular alternative treatments on offer for ME/CFS.

Weight can always be a health risk, there is no magic diet; read how to control your weight.

The majority of people with ME/CFS should not expect problems from General Anaesthesia.

One of the problems experienced by ME/CFS suffers is the difficulty in taking exercise. Understand how to pace your activities and prevent relapse.

Amitriptylene can be recommended for muscle, joint or nerve pain relief when ordinary pain-killers are not effective and can sometimes help with sleep problems as well. The leaflet describes the more common side-effects, and warns when it should not be taken

Cardiovascular Matters 

Most  ME/CFS sufferers will experience circulatory effects of one sort or another, this is due to a variety of reasons and this leaflet covers explanations and hints as how to cope.

Many people get confused over the difference between the two, read about how to understand the difference.

 Frequent Questions

An introduction to ME/CFS. What makes ME/CFS different from other possible causes of chronic fatigue? A look at the other main symptoms, and the  prospects for recovery.

Advice on Travelling

The harsh reality of travelling with ME/CFS is that just getting to the destination is stressful and exhausting. Read how with a little pre-planning, you can actually enjoy travelling again. Because stress frequently triggers a flare of symptoms, planning ahead is the key to making your trip an enjoyable experience.

Scepticism in ME/CFS

Scepticism has been a problem for people with ME/CFS for a very long time. One of the hardest things for those with ME/CFS is the issue of “no-one seems to believe I am ill”. ME/CFS is just like any other illness it has physical and mental aspects.

You do not look ill!

A major difficulty for ME/CFS suffers to overcome is that from outward appearances they do not look ill. A look at some of the comments to contend with and answers.

Guidance for Young people with ME/CFS

Dr Vallings guide for young people with ME/CFS.

Young people ME/CFS
Guide for teachers

A guide for teachers providing information on young people and ME/CFS, exams, study and prognosis.

A guide for parents providing information on young people and ME/CFS, friends, exercise and prognosis.

A guide for young people providing information on school, friends, exercise and prognosis.

Most people with ME/CFS tend to experience visual problems of one sort or another from time to time.

There have been a few studies in small numbers of ME/CFS patients showing that persisting dental infection has the potential to cause ongoing immune activation and the symptoms of prolonged ME/CFS.

This is a reprint of Dr Charles Shepherd’s recommendations with an introduction by Dr Vallings which appeared in the August edition of the IACFS/ME newsletter.

Coverage of the original breaking news of the Whittemore Peterson findings of XMRV and ME/CFS.

Heather Wilson explains that pain for ME/CFS sufferers can occur in many different forms and looks at pain management, with explanations on treatments involving both drug and non drug approaches by Dr Vallings.

Dr Vallings explains that depression is an illness like any other and can be treated successfully. Those with ME/CFS can get depression in just the same way as those with FM or Arthritis and other chronic illnesses.

Evidence indicates that many ME/ CFS patients display symptoms associated with orthostatic dysfunction. The orthostatic intolerance that is most commonly occurring in ME/CFS is called postural tachycardia syndrome or POTS.

Information leaflets are free of charge to members and an be ordered online here.                                             ORDER

  Information leaflets are available by post to non members at $5.00 per leaflet.              ORDER

ANZMES - providing  comprehensive up to date resources.

Whether you've just discovered you have ME/CFS or have been living with it for years, these leaflets will provide much needed information for patients, family members, carers, medical officials and others interested in ME/CFS.