Black Labrador puppy wearing a red Santa hat sits in the snow next to a smiling snowman with a scarf and hat, surrounded by snowy trees and festive string lights, with the text "Merry Christmas!" in bold red font.

Struggling with Christmas and ME? You’re Not Alone 💙

If you’re facing Christmas with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), please know this: you are not alone.

The festive season can feel like a spotlight on everything ME has taken from us—family time, fun, independence, and the simple joy of being present.

📺 While TV shows and magazines show picture-perfect holidays full of laughter and celebration, the truth for many of us is very different. For millions living with chronic illness, Christmas can feel isolating, painful, and overwhelmingly lonely.

I was diagnosed with ME in 2012. I’ve cried through Christmases alone. I’ve missed birthdays, weddings, and even funerals of people I love. This illness took my career, my freedom, and changed everything for my husband and daughter, too.

✨ But here’s the thing—I see you. I feel you. And if you’re hurting this Christmas, please know my inbox is always open.

No pressure, no expectations—just a fellow spoonie who understands. If you need a safe space to talk, message me using my contact page or email me: alisha@alishawhittam.com.
I may not have all the answers, but I can listen. 💌

With love and solidarity this Christmas,
Alisha 🫶

Picture of Alisha

Alisha

Proud Wife, Mother and Nanna . We married 19 years ago in Rome, Italy surrounded by our friends and family. We have the most beautiful, caring, considerate daughter, she makes us proud every single day. I am nan to Alfie, our Black Labrador and he is my best friend in all the world, I love how he understands that just laying next to me is all I need on a bad day and on a good day well it is cuddles and kisses galore. Liverpool born & bred, I never had enough guts to ever move away. Maybe it’s on my cards in the future. I have an illness that has destroyed my life, that illness has led me to blog my life with no filter. I put everything into raising awareness of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and I would do anything to make sure no one else has to feel the way that I do. We have fun in our little home and I do anything to make my family happy. Love meeting new people over the web and hearing their stories. I Love making new friends and just trying to make a difference in this world.
Facebook X-twitter Youtube Instagram Tiktok Pinterest
Click to shop my Amazon Storefront
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
Visit my YouTube Channel

more Blog Posts

Futuristic robotic wheelchair in a high-tech medical facility, surrounded by digital interfaces and glowing blue indicators. Designed with advanced wheels and armrests, the chair is positioned under a floating holographic globe labelled "AI".

The Rise of Robotic Wheelchairs: Revolutionising Accessibility and Affordability

Robotic wheelchairs are transforming mobility for people with disabilities, offering smart technology, AI navigation, and new levels of independence. But the high cost keeps many from accessing these life-changing devices. This post explores both the promise and the barriers —
Read more
Bronze Beatles statues in Liverpool with festive lights above, promoting the Mathew Street Festival.

The Mathew Street Festival

Liverpool, a city synonymous with music, culture, and history, is home to one of the most iconic events that celebrates its rich musical heritage – the Mathew Street Festival. This annual (fingers crossed )event, deeply rooted in the city’s identity,
Read more
A before-and-after comparison of a workspace showing the impact of a cable management kit. The “Before” side has tangled and messy cables, while the “After” side displays a neat and organised setup with cables secured.

The Ultimate Guide to Cable Management: Keep Your Home Pet-Safe & Clutter-Free

Struggling with messy cables? Learn how to organise your wires and prevent pets from chewing them with these simple and effective cable management solutions!
Read more
A black and white photograph of a smiling bride on her wedding day, wearing a delicate veil and a beaded tiara. Her expression radiates happiness as she looks to the side

The Day I Had to Get My Rings Cut Off – A Difficult Goodbye

These aren’t just any rings—they hold so much sentimental value. My engagement ring for obvious reasons but my wedding ring was my Nan’s wedding ring, a cherished gift she gave us on the day we got engaged. I had never
Read more
A tribute image featuring a serene blue sky with white clouds, angel wings, a halo, and the name "Maeve Boothby-O’Neill" in elegant lettering, honouring the memory of a Myalgic Encephalomyelitis sufferer

ME Matters: A Tragic Loss & the Urgent Need for Change

💔 Maeve Boothby-O’Neill’s tragic passing at just 27 highlights the urgent need for change in the care of ME patients. Despite multiple hospital admissions, Maeve was failed by a system that lacked the specialised care she desperately needed. Her story
Read more
Illustrated digital graphic of a woman in a wheelchair holding a passport and boarding pass, with speech bubbles that say, “Let’s Talk About Travelling with a Wheelchair.” The background is pink with a border featuring travel-related icons like passports, airplanes, cameras, and tickets. At the bottom, the website https://alishawhittam.com is displayed.

Travelling Abroad with a Wheelchair: A Comprehensive Guide for Smooth and Safe Journeys

Travelling abroad with a wheelchair comes with unique challenges, but with the right preparation, you can explore the world smoothly and safely. From choosing the right airline to protecting your wheelchair from damage, this guide covers everything you need to
Read more

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).

Get Updates In Your Inbox !

Sign up with email to receive news & updates.

Menu

Latest Blogs

Important