ChronicallyMe

A collection of articles and resources that I have found useful in coping and coming to terms with a CFS/ME life and with chronic illness.  Focusing here on the emotional and some practical aspects - rather than medical.

Coping with Chronic Illness 

Coming To Terms With A Life You Didn’t Plan - personal experience of the effects on a previously active life from a CFS sufferer and how to cope

Understanding the Different Phases of CFS - make sense of how you’re feeling with this simple explanation of a Four Phase Model of chronic illness using a patient case - from CFIDS Association of America

Coping With Chronic Illness - dealing with the whirl of emotions triggered by chronic illness and the importance of good mental health

The “Roller Coaster Emotional Ride” of Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome - realistic and pulls no punches on the challenges of living with CFS/ME but knows how to cope with this

Creative Ways to Transform Challenges - a selection of articles for coping, finding meaning and nuturing positivity in the face of difficult circumstances

Managing chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis)- 15 basic tips for managing CFS/ME (some of which I’m not entirely convinced about but others which are good to be reminded of from time to time)

Seven Steps to Managing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - 7 strategies for dealing with CFS/ME (my favourite of which is number 7: laughter)

Coping With An Invisible Illness - easy to read article including others expectations, illness roles and practical advice - from Rest Ministries

Not Done Living - articles from a sufferer with a positive outlook including his “Open Letter to Those Without Fibro/CFS”

Chronic Babe Coping Articles - a collection of articles including practical tips, adjusting to a life with chronic illness, relationships and more from Chronic Babe

Personal Coping Stories

A Sudden Illness: How My Life Changed by Laura Hillenbrand - best selling author and CFS sufferer

The Glass Cage by Dr Clare Fleming - a doctor with ME

Practical Advice

100 Tips for FMS and Insomnia - from Dominie

ME Tips - from Trev Williams

Practical Hints for coping with ME - from A Hummingbirds Guide

Useful Resources

The Spoon Theory - a brilliant way to explain fatigue and limitations from But You Don’t Look Sick

Telling Others - free booklet available to print explaining about ME/CFS which you can give to family/friends from Action for ME