How I recovered from ME/CFS with Acupuncture

8 months off work with CFS. Acupuncture helped me recover.http://www.herbsacupuncture.co.uk/
The ME association
http://www.meassociation.org.uk/
I had been off work for 3 months and, each week there was less and less I could do . Firstly I had to stop working , then driving more than a few miles became difficult , then reading became too hard, until the best I could do was walk down stairs in the morning , and hope that if I rested for long enough , I would have the energy to walk back up at night , unaided.

I had been diagnosed with CFS ( Post Viral / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ) by my GP and he was sympathetic but he had no treatment to offer me apart from antidepressants. I said that I wanted to get better, not feel happier about being unwell!

I had had a similar illness, 1 year before, but had overcome it over 4 months with a version of Graded Exercise Therapy (GET).This time, this wasn't helping. In fact, after some very gentle exercise, for the next 2 days I was too exhausted to leave the house.

In frustration, I did a lot of research and decided to try some alternative therapies, of which Chinese acupuncture was one.

My Practitioner was Doctor Yu of herbsandacupuncture in Manchester UK. He was very supportive and reassuring and told me he definitely could help, but I needed to be patient, as it would take a while.

I saw Dr Yu each week, initially for 6 weeks. At the end of 6 weeks I felt like I had turned the corner and felt elated , but realised there was still a way to go. Gradually each week, I got a little better
• Firstly I got my short term memory back -- and could read the sports pages!
• Then, gradually my concentration improved - and I could concentrate through a whole DVD.
• Thirdly - my physical stamina began to pick up so my self and my wife could go out a little more

3 weeks ago, after a long period off absence, I returned to work on a part time basis. I hope to increase on a phased basis to a full working week,
I can't tell you how happy that makes me feel after so long away

To anyone who was sceptical like I was, I say try it for 6 weeks.
Monitor yourself objectively
• Mental focus -- what can u read - newspaper /book
• Mental stamina - how long can you read for?
• Physical stamina -- how long can u walk for
If you are not getting better, then stop, and try something else
Good Luck!
Peter

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[mrartwatcher]

yes ! what points are used? please ! good on you to share1

[Pat14922]

Hi M8 - 3 on my head, couple around my soler plexus, 2 on outside of my calf, and some on my toes - sorry can't be more precise - my be worth you swapping e mails with dr yu at herbs and acupunctur e- full adress in my write up

[mrartwatcher]

@Pat14922 are those 30 min sessions or momentary stimulation?

[Pat14922]

@mrartwatcher roughly 50 minutes including consultation and chinese tea - so maybe 30 minutes is about right with the needles in

[Pat14922]

Update June 2011

After going back to work in April , part time , by July i was back up to full time , and in September 2010 i could work some overtime ( i Used to work quite a bit of extra hours)

I found that i could do the extra hours but that i was quite short tempered ( more than before) and less tolerant|

Now - as at June 2011 - I am prettty good - i can lead a normal life pretty much ,I can do a 7 mile hill walk , And maybe soon I will go back to the Gym!I

Good luck all !

Peter

[Drlankymanky]

Hi there. This is a bit of a godsend for me. Not only does my case sound like yours, but to know that ypu are recovered, or getting there at least is a great help...rather than keep finding information about people who cannot get rid of this condition. Im also in the manchester area. Im back at work 3 days a week but the physical weakness is not shifting at all. I wonder if i could get in touch perhaps? Let me know if thats possible, an ear would be great :)

[Pat14922]

@Drlankymanky

how did u get on mate?

I'm back at work 5 days a week now - still not 100% - but at least 90%

[mrartwatcher]

@Pat14922 thank you so much ! in Toronto we finally have snow . what did one snowman say to the other ? does it smell like carrots here or is it just me

[mrartwatcher]

@EutuveX there are 2 things you do not have that you really really need thing that are essentiall for your life ! can you guess. sorry for the use of such a big word.

[EutuveX]

you did not have CFS .... you just came out of the closet and all your symptoms disappeared.... cockpunture cured you !

[nurses73]

I have tried Acupuncture and after 2 sessions, stopped because I felt as if my body was being over stimulated; I am now very unwell and suffering from severe sweating, disturbance of symptoms, physically and mental. I know we are all different and because I have been ill for nearly 30 years, my body so weak and vulnerable to such treatment.. I'm glad I tried but not glad I'm feeling so bad; hope it passes. To other sufferers I would just say 'be careful'. Susan.

[EutuveX]

Needles ?