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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.
Vlogmas

A Cuddly Labrador, A Sneezy Labrador and a Funny Labrador

A Cuddly Labrador, A Sneezy Labrador and a Funny Labrador it must be Vlogmas Days 14 & 15. 📆 This video was published on or around 17th December 2023 Welcome to my enchanting world, where the holiday spirit dances in each frame, somedays🎅✨
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funny drawing of mitochondria cells

Dr Paul Hwang and ME/CFS

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Labrador hits the jackpot on Vlogmas Day 13

Vlogmas Day 8

Vlogmas Day 8 : Unboxing Pooch & Mutt Treats & Advent Calendar Time Alfie has his favourite treat box delivered The Pooch & Mutt Treat box 🐾 Watch Alfie Our Black Labrador open Day 8 of his Lilys Kitchen Advent Calendar🐾
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Vlogmas Day 7

Vlogmas Day 7 : Unboxing My Temu Haul of Disability Aids

Vlogmas Day 7 : Unboxing My Temu Haul of Disability Aids Alfie picks from his new box of Whimzees 🐾 Watch Alfie Our Black Labrador open Day 7 of his Lilys Kitchen Advent Calendar🐾
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Vlogmas Day 6 : Watch my Labrador Alfie open door number 6 of his Lilys Kitchen Advent Calendar

Today for me the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis took over so today me be a very short one but for me it's one of the most special times of the day. I love being able to open his advent calendar with him it really is always a highlight of my day🐾
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Vlogmas Day 5 - A Cartoon of A Snowman, A Labrador and a Reindeer

Life with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Today I talk about life with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and finally reaching a diagnosis with the help of my Dr. My Dr referred me to The ME team at The Royal Liverpool Hospital 😘 Alfie picked from his box of Whimzees and is in a very impatient cheeky mood 😂
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Cartoon Snowman Reindeer and Alfie my Black Labrador

The Day my Daughter came home

Today was extremely special as it was the day my Daughter came home for the night and Alfie was so excited, she was covered in Labrador kisses 😘 Alfie had a new box of Whimzees delivered and was in a cheeky mood 😂
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Vlogmas Day 3 - A cartoon design of A snowman a reindeer and a Black Labrador

Vlogmas Day 3

Vlogmas Day 3 Unfortunately, today wasn’t enchanting, living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis you have to come to terms with good, good days and bad, bad days. You also need to accept with ME as Severe as mine that the only thing you can do some days is open an advent calendar with your dog. Some days will be so bad that you can’t even do that. I love being able to open his advent calendar 🐾
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Vlogmas Day 2 - A Cartoon Black Labrador, A Snowman and A Reindeer

Vlogmas Day 2

Vlogmas Day 2: The Blush & Gold Planner Unboxing & Alfie opens up his Lilys Kitchen Advent Calendar door number 2 🐾 Watching Alfie opening day 2 of his advent makes me so happy, he deserves the world🐾
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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

Surprise Bedroom Makeover

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.

The best rechargeable lint remover (and why you need one)

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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