M.e.

[mrs_overall]

I have become friendly with a woman. At the moment she is decorating her house and has just stripped and sanded all the floors. She is one of those people who is always on the go and seems to have boundless energy. I was somewhat surprised yesterday when she told me she hasn't worked and has been in receipt of Disability Living Allowance since 1985! She told me she has M.E.
I am rather sceptical. What do you think?

[sandyRoe]

Maybe when you've seen her she's been in remission.

[flump1]

It might be that you have caught her on a really good day Mrs O, but I don't think so. I had a friend who claimed the same benefit and if she ever took me shopping to the big stores, I could not keep up with her !! I don't really understand ME . I am surprised she feels able to share all that with you so early on in your friendship, I simply hate anybody knowing my circumstances !

[mrs_overall]

Hmmm, possibly

[yogasun]

People I have known with ME over the years are exhausted at the least thing and have to pace themselves. I have had a few in my classes and they struggle, modify the exercises, but overall feel the benefit.

It makes feel tired at the thought of what your 'friend' has done mrs. O!

[bazwillrun]

Why did she need to strip to sand the floors !?!

[AlwaysConfused]

Determination is a wonderful thing. If she is genuine, then her pride has stepped in and taken over her disability.Boo hiss if she is taking the P@ss, as there are many worthy candidates for DLA that cannot even get it

[mrs_overall]

yoga, that is how I imagine someone with ME to be, which is why I am sceptical

flump, she seems to be one of those people who has to tell you every minute detail about themselves

bazwillrun = fnar fnar

[whistonian]

My youngest daughter aged 42 was diagnosed with ME about 2 years ago and takes a daily injection. She works hard as a manager running 3 nurseries and in process of organising a fourth. At times she gets very tired and completely exhausted ,it breaks my heart when see her in this condition but she loves her job so much she would never give it up.

[SMP]

DLA wasn't introduced until 1992.

[Svejk]

Took me a while, Baz. Very good.

[Robinia]

I agree with Sandy, I have fibromyalgia, similar in many ways to ME/CFS and some days and weeks are better than others and that's why outsiders tend to disbelieve the extent of the problems....one day you're laughing and the next in tears with exhaustion....but I can't sand floors or decorate!

[Rockin]

Unles she has a very mild form of the illness I doubt she has M.E. My girlfriend has it and it makes her very ill. A lot of the time she has to lie in bed, in silence and with the light off. She cannot lift or carry much. She couldn't lift a plate of food and cant chop vegetables because her arms get so painful. When we go out she often has to sit down, at once, anywhere, even on the street because she can't walk anymore. One day a women gave her 50p when she was sitting there. So I know she certainly couldn't do any decorating and sanding floors. Just no way. I think some people give themselves an illness to make them sound more interesting.

[woofgang]

I know a woman who had it. Throughout her illness she raised her children and worked full time as a nurse. She used to go home at the end of her shift and sleep in the hall because she was too tired to get upstairs to bed. I absolutely do believe that she had it. I saw her once in relapse and she was like a doll with no stuffing.
I think it might be a bit soon for you to decide if your friend is on the con or not.

[andy-hughes]

The present Mrs Hughes was diagnosed with ME after a bout of pneumonia which hospitalised her about twelve years ago.

She manages it well - east a very good diet, and is careful to take extended rests when needed.

Infections are bad - what would make the rest of us feel lousy for a day or so can put her to bed for a week.

It has taken time to get her routine right, when she was first diagnosed, she was to exhausted to walk from the bed to the bathroom, it was a hands-and-knees job.

So it can be managed, but it is a debilitating condition.