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Welcome to Merle's home page:
This page is to keep people informed about Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Fibromyalgia and related disorders. The Links page offers people information from Australian and international M.E/CFS/FM associations. This web page is updated by Merle and is dedicated to the memory of Nita Mensik, Marie Anderson and others who lost their lives through complication arising from this illness. If you would like to add something of interest please email me nrmecfs@nrg.com.au. Merle's M.E/FM My illness began with a bad bout of the flu in 1983 which turned into pleurisy, the usual antibiotics were prescribed. I had severe headaches, vomiting. I was extremely tired sleeping during the day. Trying to go a few yards from my bedroom to the bathroom was like climbing Mount Everest, my body was in so much pain that I thought a train had run over me during the night. I soon became allergic to medications, foods, light, noise and household cleaners. For short distances I used a walking stick to push myself along, but soon needed a walking frame, and eventually needing a wheelchair. My local doctors were at a loss to find an answer to mystery illness. My husband was my carer helping me with dressing and drying my hair. He did all the shopping, cooking and washing. In 1986 I was referred to Professor Denis Wakefield at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney who ordered blood tests then diagnosed me as having Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Two years later after pressing my tender points he gave me a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia as well. I spent most days in bed with severe pain and chronic fatigue. I was breaking out in bruises on my arms and legs. Professor Denis Wakefield prescribed a 10ml gammagloblin injection fortnightly, but I was soon in extreme labour like pains. I broke out in severe acne rosacea on my nose causing me systemic pain, I was on strong antibiotics. A specialist at West Mead hospital told me to stop having the gammagloblin injections and I would be better in three weeks time. But I was still in constant pain and regularly breaking with acne rosacea I was taking 6 Digesic tablets daily and one Normison tablet at night. I was on a restricted diet recommended by Dr Loblay at RPA hospital. Dr Marshall prescribed the hormone patch but after a few weeks I was again in severe labour like pains, which was discontinued. Dr Fluhrer gave me a course of intravenous Vitamin C treatment. Temperature changes going from hot to cold caused me severe pain and stiffness in my muscles. To find out more go to merle's M.E
may 12 has been designated world wide international m.e/cfs/fm awareness day may 12 was Florence nightingale's birthday - she was thought to have suffered from m.e when she came back from the Crimean war- therefore may 12 is in honour of her and her work. Australia has a calendar of events for charities to have their particular cause publicly advertised. unfortunately another charity already has may 12 as their awareness day it remains for each me/cfs/society in Australia to make the public and politicians aware that may 12 is international m.e/cfs awareness day and lobby for better understanding and more research into this enigmatic disease.
This page was last updated Monday June 21, 2010 Web page designed and constructed by Merle Fullerton |
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