Page 3 - Treatments                                          page    1     2     3     4     5

Sadly as yet there is no clear-cut test for ME. This means that it is extremely difficult to assess which treatments really help. In fact, there may be several different forms of ME. Make no mistake, it is a real and a life-altering illness, but entering into a debate about what it is and how to get better is to get into a complicated minefield. Sadly, a there are still a few specialists only see ME from their own narrow field. Thankfully there are many other doctors who take a wider, balanced and open view, and look for good quality, long-term evidence. (Believe me, much of the data about ME is of very poor quality.)

As there are no simple cures to be found in orthodox medicine, many people turn to alternative practitioners. Some of these treatments will help, some will be rubbish. Remember that not one of them yet has had their claims independently verified (including later follow-ups). They are all going to be pleasant, supportive and confident that their treatment is effective - otherwise they wouldn't be able to persuade you to part with your money (often lots of it!). If a grumpy old codger came up with a cure for ME today, he would be inundated with patients. (The Gupta Program is the only one that I know of that will give you a refund if it doesn't start to work in 6 months.)

Look at the advice from the associations, see what other people with ME have found to help. Be sceptical of anyone who claims to be 95% better - only top level athletes pushing themselves to the absolute limit can tell the difference between 100% and 95%. I personally believe that no-one really gets "cured" of ME, but that it is possible to improve so much that a normal life is possible, although overdoing things can bring it back (just like Chicken Pox can come back as Shingles).

As the picture is so confusing, what should you do? Firstly, do not even try to push yourself through this. "Boom and bust" is a disastrous approach for ME and is likely to make you much worse. Secondly, try to get your body as healthy as possible e.g. good diet, enough sleep, reduce physical stresses like alcohol (this is where all sorts of different things can help). Thirdly, try to get your mind as stress free and as positive as possible. Programmes like CBT and others can help if you find it difficult to sort this out by yourself. After all, 50% of a fit body and mind is much better than 100% of a stressed, uptight couch potato.