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Hi, I’m Alisha Whittam, and I live with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a chronic illness that has profoundly shaped my journey. Here, I want to share a little more about who I am beyond the challenges I face every day.

A Disney-style cartoon illustration of a dark-haired woman with blue eyes sitting on a bed, writing in a notebook. She is surrounded by a laptop, scattered notes, and a microphone. Two black Labradors, one with a red collar, sit beside her, while a camera records the scene.

Taylor Swift The Eras Tour at Anfield

The sight of the bustling crowds heading towards that beautiful fortress of a football stadium fills me with immense pride as a Scouser. The Scouse girls, as always, looked absolutely stunning, but their allure seemed to reach ethereal levels for the Taylor Swift concert.
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The National Disablity Card

National Disability Card

The National Disability Card is designed to provide proof of disability, making it easier for individuals to access various services, benefits, and discounts. It is a recognition tool that helps reduce the need for individuals to repeatedly prove their disability.
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Accessibility and Inclusion: Making Pride Truly Welcoming for All

As Pride Month approaches each year, colourful displays of support, joy, and love for the LGBTQ+ community become widespread. However, within these celebrations, a notable portion of another community feels excluded and marginalised.
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Why We Need More Disabled MPs in the UK

With a general election campaign now in full swing, we should be asking why it is still so hard for disabled people to run for office and what the next government will do about it.
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The ME Pyjama Party

I'm thrilled to invite you to a special event that aims to make a significant impact in the lives of those living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
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Raising awareness of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

We are all ready in Our Red PJs to help raise awareness of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. To join us all you need to do is take a pic in your PJs and post it to social media using #MEPJParty
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ME PJ Party

ME PJ Party

Together, we can shed light on the challenges faced by those living with ME/CFS and advocate for greater understanding and support
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ME PJ PArty

Uniting for change: The ME Pyjama Party Movement

In the realm of chronic illnesses, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) stands as a formidable challenge, affecting millions worldwide. Despite the invisible nature of the illness, its impact is profound and pervasive, leaving many individuals bedridden and isolated. However, amidst the struggle, a beacon of hope shines bright: Our ME Pyjama Party.
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a classic Disney cartoon-style image of a woman with long dark brown hair and blue eyes lying in bed with a black Labrador puppy wearing a red collar

The Invisible Struggle: Loneliness and Chronic Illness – Insights from a Myalgic Encephalomyelitis sufferer.

Living with a chronic health condition like Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) can be an isolating experience, often leaving individuals feeling unseen and unheard. The invisible nature of ME compounds the already challenging journey, leading to profound feelings of loneliness and isolation
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A woman with fair skin and dark hair pulled back, standing in a bathroom. Her face is visibly swollen, particularly her lips and cheeks, with redness on her skin. She has a concerned expression, and the text overlay reads, 'But they just kept getting bigger.
Black Labrador puppy looks inquisitively
A woman with light skin, dark hair pulled back, and a tired expression makes a slightly lopsided face, showing exhaustion. She is wearing a dark-colored top with a festive pattern. The background features a light-colored shower curtain with subtle animal illustrations. Overlaid text reads: 'Tonight I pushed myself by making a phone call.
Two black Labrador dogs wearing matching Christmas-themed pyjamas featuring festive golden retrievers and Santa hats, playfully moving around a cozy indoor setting
Two black Labradors sitting attentively on a bed, staring at a McDonald's meal with longing eyes. The image includes the text "We call this the Labrador TAX" along with a piggy bank graphic labeled "TAX.
A black and white close-up of a young black Labrador puppy named Archie, resting on a soft blanket while gently chewing a toy. The image features soft lighting and a cosy atmosphere. The text "Baby Archie" is elegantly written in a pastel purple cursive font in the top right corner.

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A Chaotic Christmas

We got a Puppy

A stylish YouTube thumbnail featuring a newly decorated bedroom with soft grey and white tones, plush cushions, and decorative lighting. The text overlay reads "Bedroom Makeover – Hubby Surprised Me!", hinting at a heartfelt transformation

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A YouTube thumbnail featuring a rechargeable lint remover with a sleek white design, LED display, and multiple speed settings. The text highlights the 3-speed adjustment, Type-C charging, and 2500mAh battery, showcasing its key features.

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A playful YouTube thumbnail featuring a stylized illustration of a woman and her black Labrador sitting on a bed, with a basket of apples. The text reads "My Dog Loves Apples", surrounded by floating apples and a cute cartoon apple character.

My Dog loves apples - The uncut version

What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

According to the NHS Website, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a long-term illness with a wide range of symptoms. The most common symptom is extreme tiredness

For more information please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-cfs/

People with ME/CFS have fatigue that is very different from just being tired. The fatigue of ME/CFS:

  • Can be severe.
  • Is not a result of unusually difficult activity.
  • Is not relieved by sleep or rest.
  • Was not a problem before becoming ill (not life-long)

Worsening of ME/CFS symptoms after physical or mental activity that would not have caused a problem before illness. This is known as post-exertional malaise (PEM).

Sleep problems.

Many but not all people with ME/CFS have other symptoms.

Pain is very common in people with ME/CFS. The type of pain, where it occurs, and how bad it is varies a lot. The pain people with ME/CFS feel is not caused by an injury. The most common types of pain in ME/CFS are:

  • Muscle pain and aches
  • Joint pain without swelling or redness
  • Headaches, either new or worsening

Some people with ME/CFS may also have:

  • Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits
  • A sore throat that happens often
  • Digestive issues, like irritable bowel syndrome
  • Chills and night sweats
  • Allergies and sensitivities to foods, odors, chemicals, light, or noise
  • Muscle weakness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Irregular heartbeat
Information is taken from The CDC Website https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/symptoms-diagnosis/symptoms

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis does not have a cure.

Find a Dr or Consultant who listens to you is the first step

It is a manageable condition and depending on the severity of your symptoms the more difficult this can become.

I advise learning to listen to your body and what it is telling you. If you feel tired rest and if you feel pain find a solution to reduce that pain, this could be through pain medication prescribed by your Dr.

I am not saying that finding a Dr who listens or listening to your body is going to be easy as this illness is incredibly complex for some and manageable for others.

Having a Dr who listens to you or reads about the latest drug that sufferers are recommending can take a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety from the sufferer.

It would be best for me to point you to the above question What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis? 

Most pages list the illness as ME/CFS or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or sometimes even Systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID).

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