{"id":4873,"date":"2025-09-06T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-06T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/?p=4873"},"modified":"2025-09-10T21:34:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T21:34:10","slug":"ive-been-told-to-just-push-through-my-chronic-condition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/06\/ive-been-told-to-just-push-through-my-chronic-condition\/","title":{"rendered":"I\u2019ve been told to \u2018just push through\u2019 my chronic condition"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t\t\"Russell\t<\/div>
When I did drift off, I woke up not knowing where I was, sweating so much I was soaking wet and freezing (Picture: Russell Fleming)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I couldn\u2019t get out of bed. I felt drained, constantly. All my body wanted was more sleep.<\/p>\n

When I did drift off, I woke up not knowing where I was, sweating so much I was soaking wet and freezing. My muscles and joints ached and I had migraine-like headaches<\/a> and a persistently sore throat. <\/p>\n

For about six years, this was my life as someone severely affected by a condition known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis\/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome<\/a> (ME\/CFS). <\/p>\n

It is a complex, long-term medical condition that affects a person\u2019s ability to function. The most common symptom is extreme, debilitating fatigue<\/a>, that can be worsened by activity and isn\u2019t improved by sleep.\u202f <\/p>\n

This in turn affects thinking, memory, speech, standing, walking, sleep and daily tasks. <\/p>\n

An estimated 404,000\u202fpeople inthe UK are affected and sadly, it isn\u2019t a condition anyone can predict. For many, the trigger is an infection (either viral or bacterial). <\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Russell\t<\/div>
I was discharged without any answers, only to end up back there weeks later after having seizures (Picture: Russell Fleming)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My symptoms began in July 1999, after I became ill while on holiday with friends in Greece. What I thought was food poisoning<\/a> was diagnosed by Greek doctors as a non-specific infection. <\/p>\n

Back home in Jersey, I was treated in hospital for dehydration and had tests to determine the infection\u2019s source. I was discharged without any answers, only to end up back there weeks later after having seizures.\u202f<\/p>\n

A year on, I was no better and hadn\u2019t been able to return to work. As well as the crippling, flu-like symptoms, I was increasingly frustrated and confused that no one could say what was wrong with me.<\/p>\n

Eventually, in May, 2000, having ruled out every other condition, my GP diagnosed ME\/CFS<\/a>.\u202f<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Russell\t<\/div>
I tried to push through even when my body was screaming not to (Picture: Russell Fleming)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I prayed for a different diagnosis, one that was more accepted and visible \u2013 ME\/CFS is regarded with skepticism by many, including medical professionals.\u202f <\/p>\n

It\u2019s something that I experienced \u2013 when I was discharged from hospital, a senior healthcare professional told me to just push through it. <\/p>\n

Luckily, my employer offered me a disability pension<\/a>. I was delighted that they were supporting me in this way, but also regretful that it marked the end of my promising career.  <\/p>\n

But it was hard. I tried to push through even when my body was screaming not to and this led to an erratic, persistent period of relapse and relative remission. <\/p>\n

I became very depressed and eventually tried to take my own life. I worried about the future, my independence; grief became too much for me to cope with. I just couldn’t see a way out. <\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Russell\t<\/div>
I was able to go to college part-time which led to university full-time as a mature student reading ancient history at Lampeter (Picture: Russell Fleming)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My daily life became unrecognisable from before. I got through it with distractions \u2013 by setting small goals like listening to the radio or watching TV if I was bed bound. Or if I was able to read, I would start one sentence at a time, until I had to stop.<\/p>\n

In 2003, I was referred to Professor Anthony Pinching, aspecialist in immunology with an interest in ME\/CFS. He was the first doctor who validated my experiences and prescribed a drug that reduced my nausea and vertigo, which eventually contributed to stabilising my symptoms more generally. <\/p>\n

By 2005, I was able to go to college part-time which led to university full-time as a mature student reading ancient history at Lampeter. <\/p>\n

The course made me feel very welcome as a disabled student<\/a> \u2013 I could access various tools like speech-to-text, virtual lectures, extended deadlines, and peer support. Sadly, repeated bouts of ‘freshers flu’ meant I missed the dissertation deadline and ended up leaving university. <\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Russell\t<\/div>
My\u00a0new furry friend, Buster,\u00a0has brought a lot of joy back into my life (Picture: Russell Fleming)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I felt gutted and it felt never ending.   <\/p>\n

During this time, however, a referral to Cornwall’s ME\/CFS specialist service and access to other professionals followed, all of whom helped me learn how to live with the limitations of my condition and improve my quality of life.<\/p>\n

They reinforced that ME\/CFS was a real medical condition and I felt validated.<\/p>\n

It was also the first time I got to meet other people with ME\/CFS <\/a>\u2013 it was incredibly helpful to hear that their stories were similar to mine, and to realise I wasn’t alone. <\/p>\n

It took a long time to see meaningful changes, but, gradually, my physical ability and my cognitive function improved considerably to the degree that 10 years ago, I was able to start working for the charity The ME Association as a part-time volunteer.\u202f <\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tFind out more\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

The ME Association (MEA) is a UK charity that supports people with ME\/CFS and Long Covid.\u202f It is committed to working with its members and the ME\/CFS community and is focused on improving the quality of life of those affected. For more information, please visit: www.meassociation.org.uk<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Since then I have worked my way up to becoming the Head of Project Development full-time. <\/p>\n

I\u2019m lucky to have an understanding, flexible employer, who allows me to work from home all the time.\u202f<\/p>\n

Returning to work has enabled me to regain some independence and my new furry friend, Buster, has brought a lot of joy back into my life. <\/p>\n

I still live with ME\/CFS but I am better able to cope with and manage the condition and other aspects of my health. <\/p>\n

But the Department of Health must take ME\/CFS seriously. It needs to provide appropriate care and fund more research if we are to ever understand what causes this degree of chronic ill-health. <\/p>\n

Only then will all ME\/CFS patients be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and live life the way I am \u2013 happily, at last. <\/p>\n

ME\/CFS never leaves you and you never know if you\u2019re going to relapse but I\u2019m resilient and try to maximise the pleasure and enjoyment that I get out of life.   <\/p>\n

Do you have a story you\u2019d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Share your views in the comments below.<\/strong><\/p>\n


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