tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74765693926409047032011-04-21T18:27:03.143-07:00Reading Area ME Support Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921103993417407820noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7476569392640904703.post-54529572960787716852008-06-06T02:22:00.000-07:002008-06-06T02:56:10.289-07:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">Slough Observer 29th May.</span><br /><br />People suffering from a debilitating illness, characterized by chronic fatigue, headaches, and muscular join pain, told Slough MP Fiona MacTaggart, what it is like to be an ME patient in Berkshire.<br /><br />Members of the local ME support group, told the MP about the problems they face living with the illness, few people understand.<br /><br />Eileen Shoosmith, support group Co-ordinator, said, one of the real problems with ME and FM, is that they are invisible illnesses. Many people with the illness look well, but certainly don't feel that way.<br /><br />Ms Taggart is backing the groups campaign, for better health care provision for ME sufferers in the region.<br /><br />When she met with them in Slough last week, members explained that East Berkshire Primary Care Trust currently offers no specialist provision for patients with ME or fibromyalgia, a similar condition characterized by widespread physical pain.<br /><br />As a result, children with the condition have to travel to Bath for treatment and single people who do not have the support of a partner, find everyday chores a constant and painful battle.<br /><br />One patient said: It is very difficult to fight for help, when you are so ill.<br /><br />Members agreed that the benefits system needs to be changed, to enable sufferers to return to work in 'small steps' at the rate that they recover.<br /><br />They also agreed that early diagnosis by better informed GP's could lead to fewer cases of deterioration among sufferers.<br /><br />For more information about the groups campaign <a href="mailto:readingmegroup%28at%29btinternet.com">click here.</a><br /><br />ME factfile:<br /><br /><ul><li>ME (Myalgic Encephalitus is a chronic illness which affects the nervous and immune systems.</li><li>Also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) by the medical profession, it affects people of all ages.</li></ul>Symptoms include:<br /><br /><ul><li>Profound lasting fatigue.</li><li>A general feeling of being unwell which increases after normal physical and mental activity.</li><li>Painful and aching muscles/and or joints.</li><li>Persistent headaches and migraines.</li><li>Reduced attention span, inability to plan and organise thoughts.</li></ul><br /><a href="mailto:prreadingmegroup%28at%29btinternet.com">Miriam</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7476569392640904703-5452957296078771685?l=sloughexpress.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Reading Area ME Support Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921103993417407820noreply@blogger.com0