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Hey guys,
Following on from my full story video I shared a couple weeks ago I wanted to do a follow up.
This time talking about the 4 main things I feel has helped me the most in my 8 year recovery journey with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
I really hope these things can help you or please share it with someone you think it can help.
If you have any questions or requests for video topics just let me know down below in the comments.
James
Thank you for sharing this video. I’m currently suffering from ME/CFS and twilling to try anything to improve my quality of life. Prior to diagnosis I was an avid outdoorsy person, climbing mountains and spending days doing water sports. Since then I struggle with basic activities and nothing is enjoyable.
I’ve always wondered whether gluten/dairy may be effecting me, what made you cut these out? I don’t particularly have gut issues, just every now and then if I eat a lot of bread/gluten based products. This could be interesting with owning a cake shop too. I’m also struggling with my limits, my brain says go but my body says no. Do I always listen to my body? But surely moving is good for me? It’s a constant battle!
Hi Danny
Which brand of NT factor do you buy.
Thanks
Karen
Hey Karen, the brand I used doesn’t seem available anymore (I was taking it 10 years ago) but there seems to be others on the market so best thing to do is do a little research into them to see what they’re like.
Did you do any kind of brain retraining or did you solely see improvement from nutrition?
Hey Danny, thanks for getting in touch! No I didn’t do any brain training (I had 1 CBT session that was offered to me but knew this wasn’t what I needed). The things that really helped me where what I touched on in the video. Any other questions let me know.
Thanks for sharing. I’m really glad you also mentioned other things from diet as for some people diet will help but you can’t rely on diet alone. It was very honest of you. I am almost recovered after 10 years+. Theres only the occasional time once a month or so I still feel CFS symptoms. The one thing that worked the best for me personally was not pushing it. If I feel CFS symptoms I will just rest and it really helps. I will be honest with work and tell them I don’t feel well and stay home. It is upsetting but having come through it, I don’t care anymore if I’m believed or not, I don’t even bother with a long explanation and I just give myself the time I need.
Hey Laura, so pleased to hear you’re doing much better! Thanks for sharing your experiences. I am coming up to 10 years this December so it’s definitely a long old journey.
Hi James, my 17 year old daughter is struggling with ME/CFS and I’m trying to find anything at all that will help. It’s a horrible thing to deal with as you know and I’m grateful to have some ideas from someone who’s actually been through it. Sending you my very best wishes.
Aww thanks Lucy 🙂 hope your daughter manages to get through it! Keep fighting and always happy to answer any questions. P.S I am on an M.E dedicated podcast M.E awareness week starting may 12th. I will be sharing it on my social media stories so make sure to keep an eye out for it.
Hi James, really interesting video about your ongoing recovery from CFS/M.E . Great recommendations I’m especially interested in the supplement you took, N T Factor. I cut out dairy and have followed the Fodmap diet ever since, after I lost over a stone when I first became ill. My digestion has settled down now after a couple of years and I’m gradually introducing other foods. I notice though that NT Factor among other things contains inulin and garlic which are not Fodmap friendly! It would be an expensive experiment if I find that I cannot take it and I was wondering if you had experienced any digestive issues with it or if it’s possible to purchase a small amount.
Hey Vivien, pleased you found it interesting. I never knew that it contained those ingredients. Sorry but I am not sure whether it can be purchased in smaller quantities. I haven’t taken it for about 3-4 years or so. Sorry I couldn’t of been more help.
hey! I searched for Christmas recipes and stumbled upon your page and it looks great! Thank you for posting easy to make, fast and healthy recipes.
I decided to try ntfactor based on your recommendation.
My experience with cutting out gluten and dairy and going mostly plant based has a huge impact on my helath too, though it´s taken many years to do it. I mean, people shouldn´t be hard on themselves if they can´t cut out everything in one go. I do detoxing periods where my diet is strict and then go back to a more normal eating habit, that makes me feel like it´s pretty easy compared to the detox 😉
Thanks for sharing 🙂 glad you have found some things that have worked for you.
Wow! Great video.
Your story sounds really similar to mine. I’ve had CFS for 7/8 years (started when I was 19) I was a good athlete and very driven and pushed hard.
Bed bound for two years, and I’ve recovered to about 65 percent I would guess. I will check out your recommendations and see if they can help!
Thanks George! Sorry to hear you have been through similar but it’s great you’re making progress. Keep it up 🙂
Hi James, great blog with lots of information. I had a tropical virus and breast cancer at the same time which caused many horrible symptoms and chronic fatigue. One of the most difficult parts of my recovery has been the negative attitude of other people, who I’m pretty sure just think I’m just being lazy. I got lots of comments like “well you look well!” Quite irritating really. I also was informed that people at the golf course were saying I was ‘making it all up!’ This, for me was the most difficult part of recovery as it negatively effected my mental health. Would be interested in hearing other views on this subject. I too am a person who is very driven to be fit and healthy. I probably do push too much but also think that if I push my body to be fit and strong then that will aid recovery – sort of 3 steps forward, one step back. Occasionally I do overdo it though. What are your thoughts?
Hi James. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing. It’s nice to know that you are human too and have bad days like the rest of us. I don’t mean that horribly but I totally understand and have empathy for what you say about pushing yourself too hard. Ironically my tendency to do this has become worse since becoming chronically ill. It’s like I feel that I have more to prove. Your food always looks amazing and I hope that in years to come I may be able to replicate your success. I have a website up and running now, so I’m at least making progress.
Hey Charlie, thank you so much for the comment and support 🙂 really appreciate it! Sorry to hear you’re also suffering but stay positive and it’s great to hear you have also setup a website. It can be great to have something to focus on whilst in recovery. All the best on your journey and always happy to help out 🙂